Olympic “Super Coaches” Transform Struggling Youth Teams in The Z Team only on the Olympic Channel

Olympic Gold Medallist Christian Laettner Coaches Charlotte’s Garinger High School in First Episode

MADRID – 5 March 2019 – Some of the most unaccomplished youth sports teams receive a helping hand from a game-changing coach and Olympic legend for whom losing is not an option in the humorous and emotional docu-reality series, The Z Team. The all-new season of the Olympic Channel original series features Olympic legends from around the world who have just one week to turn around a struggling youth team.

The all-new season of The Z Team premieres globally on Tuesday, March 5 on olympicchannel.com, its mobile apps and on select connected TV devices, and at 7 p.m. ET on the U.S. cable network Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA.

The premiere episode features original “Dream Team” Olympic gold medallist, Duke University basketball legend and former NBA star Christian Laettner guest coaching the Garinger High School boys varsity basketball team of Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon his arrival, Laettner finds a defeated team who is experiencing a lack of motivation, fundamentals and overall effort needed to chalk up a win.

“Happiness and joy on the court cannot come from winning only,” said Laettner. “It has to come from playing the game.”

Laettner has just one week to turn around the 3-14 team before their next game. Drawing from his collegiate and 13-year NBA career, he lends his coaching skills and famous no-nonsense attitude to try to help the team win a victory. But will the Garinger team love him or hate him when the week is over?

“I hope they take things from what we did on the basketball court to make them a little better,” added Laettner. “I want them to experience a certain level of success.”In addition to Laettner, Olympic “super coaches” featured in the new season include Cameroon Olympic gold medallist and former Arsenal defender Lauren [Etamé Meyer], Brazilian Olympic gold medallist in beach volleyball Jackie Silva, and USA Rugby Coach Mike Friday.

The second season of The Z Team was produced exclusively for the Olympic Channel by IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion.

In the popular first season of The Z Team, eight youth teams from around the world were transformed by guest “super coaches” including South African football legend Matthew Booth, Team Canada Olympic ice hockey hero Daniele Sauvageau, Team USA Olympic volleyball great Danielle Scott-Arruda, and Scotland Rugby Sevens star Colin Gregor.