Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of logos in positive but shallow youth football docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Cost of Winning
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Executive produced by former NFL player and Good Morning America host Michael Strahan, THE COST OF WINNING is a four-part documentary that chronicles the St. Frances Academy high school football team. In 2018, the Panthers were at the top of Baltimore's private school league. But after alleged racially-driven controversies surrounding how co-head coach Biff Poggi was running the program, other teams in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association refused to play them. Now the Panthers are seeking to take the top spot in the national league as an independent program. Cameras follow the players as they embark on a grueling year of practice, travel, and studies in order to show the country what they're made of. Throughout it all, Poggi and fellow head coach Henry Russell -- as well as additional team staff, academic experts, and the players -- share their thoughts about the unique challenges they face as an inner-city private school team in one of the most troubled cities in the country. It's not an easy journey, but it does teach the young players that football can offer a lot of opportunities, in addition to challenges on and off the field.
Is It Any Good?
This docuseries, which consists of four 30-minute segments, follows the top Baltimore team as they learn how to win and lose at the national level. The adult representatives of St. Frances Academy note that they are committed to ensuring their players graduate, earn full football scholarships, and have their college studies paid for. They also note the amount of grit and determination that the players have, especially given the school's inadequate training facilities, and the lived experiences of some of the players, many of who are directly affected by inner city violence and socioeconomic factors beyond their control.
Fans of the sport will enjoy the practices, game plays, and related activities. But while The Cost of Winning points to some of the many problems associated with high school football (like institutionalized racism and the fact that it's part of the lucrative business of youth sports), it fails to discuss them in any real depth, thanks to the series' short installments. Meanwhile, some might have an ethical issue with Biff Poggi's approach to improving the team, which includes investing a lot of his money in the overall program. But regardless of what you feel about St. Frances Academy's football staff, you can't help but root for the young men who are working hard to play well, get an education, and secure a future that will give them an opportunity to have a better life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges many of the students from St. Frances Academy face on a daily basis. Outside of football, what lessons are the educators and coaches teaching the players? Why?
There's been a lot of controversy surrounding St. Francis Academy and their football program. Do you think The Cost of Winning was produced, in part, to clear the program's name? Or is it to highlight the challenges the Panthers face as they compete for the title?
In the United States, youth sports is a multi-billion dollar industry. What are the problems associated with this? How does the media contribute to the industry's financial success?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 10, 2020
- Cast : Biff Poggi , Henry Russell , Messa Hailermariam
- Network : HBO
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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