The Film
The Waiting Game Story
The Waiting Game tells the little-known story of a renegade basketball league that inspired today's NBA – and the mostly black players who have had to fight for decades for fair compensation and recognition.
The ABA innovated pro basketball with the 3-point shot and slam dunk contest, and embraced black culture in ways that the NBA had not yet. And despite the pioneering way the players of the ABA players played basketball, when the two leagues “merged”, ABA players were forgotten in a business deal gone bad.
The Waiting Game follows a dogged not-for-profit’s pursuit of benefits for former ABA players now struggling to survive. While the NBA generates $10+ billion a year, former ABA athletes struggle to buy life-saving medicines, avoid eviction, and worse. This documentary is about the fight to get them their due.
“There was no safety net for these guys. No one protected their interests. No pension, not covered for medical. Not only did they not have comfort, they didn't have dignity. Everybody deserves that.”
- Bob Costas
The Filmmakers
Michael Husain
Director, Producer, Writer, Narrator
The Waiting Game is the latest documentary by national Emmy award-winning director Michael Husain. His recent film THE ADDICT’S WAKE, about America’s addiction crisis, won multiple festival prizes and continues to drive intervention efforts nationally. Michael has created over 200 hours of broadcast television documentary work airing nationally on ESPN, Discovery, A&E, HGTV, PBS, VH-1 and more.
Bryan Boyd
Producer, Director of Photography, Editor
Bryan is a 5-time Emmy®, SPJ, and Festival Award-Winning filmmaker and has worked on creative teams for PBS, Netflix, A+E, Snap Originals and WSJ in addition to his advertising work for Grey, .monks and Javelin agencies. Boyd is a partner with Good Vibes Media on multiple documentary projects. Trusted by the world's elite businesses, studios, and agencies to help bring ideas to life, Bryan brings his unique eye and distinctive style to every project.
Amy Pauszek
Co-Producer
Amy Pauszek is a true lover of indie films and has worked as a key producer and publicist in several feature films, shorts, TV, and commercials. She is also a freelance photographer for magazine and newspaper publications and provides still photography for many local and syndicated television productions. You can often find her covering red carpet events for TV, film, and Broadway.