Robin Roberts explains the making of new Hulu film on Pat Summitt

Robin Roberts has long wanted to make a film about her friend Pat Summitt. Now the co-anchor of ABC’s "Good Morning America," Roberts first started exploring the possibility of a project on Summitt in 2016, not long after the death of the Hall of Fame coach who guided Tennessee’s women’s basketball program. She began discussing some plans with Summitt’s son and Roberts’ production company even lined up some writers.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic happened in 2020. “It was the perfect storm in the wrong kind of way, but I believe that everything happens for a reason, and this is the perfect timing for it,” Roberts told USA TODAY Sports. “What we're seeing is the explosion of women's basketball.

And I want people to be reminded that Pat Summitt was at the cornerstone of what we're seeing right now. I mean, the Lady Vols — they were like the Caitlin Clark of that era. When they would come into town, arenas would sell out.

“She was just not about her program. She wanted to elevate the entire sport. ” A documentary about Summitt executive produced by Roberts and directed by the Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter will debut on Wednesday on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers to the streaming services.