Behind-the-Scenes Look at Multimedia Project The Dynasty
Friday, April 5, 2024
Author Jeff Benedict signed copies of his book "The Dynasty" at an event on March 26.
On March 26, the Center for Sports Media welcomed bestselling author Jeff Benedict for a screening of his bestselling book-turned-docuseries, The Dynasty, followed by a Q&A with executive director B.J. Schecter. Benedict ended his appearance by signing copies of The Dynasty, including providing the first 50 students to check in at the event with free copies of the book.
The Dynasty docuseries is based on Benedict’s New York Times bestselling book, which was published in September 2020. It tells the inside story of the New England Patriots under owner Robert Kraft, coach Bill Belichick, and quarterback Tom Brady, who teamed up to win six Super Bowls.
Peter King, a three-time winner of Sportswriter of the Year and September 2023 guest of the Center for Sports Media, had this to say about The Dynasty:
"Most often in our business, there are writers and there are reporters, and rarely do the twain meet. In The Dynasty, Jeff Benedict shows he's masterful at both. His reporting on the very well-worn (trust me) earth of the Patriots' greatness is groundbreaking, starting with his illumination of the evening in the hospital in 2001 when Drew Bledsoe's life was in peril and going all the way through to previously unknown details of the emotional play-by-play of Tom Brady's departure from New England. The imagery and prose are just as strong. Such a great read from Benedict."
The first 50 students who attended "The Dynasty" event on March 26 got free copies of Jeff Benedict's best-selling book.
The event began with the screening of the 10th and final episode of The Dynasty - “End Game.” The episode, which originally aired on March 15, detailed the end of the historic Brady, Belichick, and Kraft 20-year run in New England.
The episode noted clear tension between the star quarterback and Hall of Fame coach, ultimately leading to Brady’s departure from the organization.
“Sometimes I’m a little naive and believed that winning was the special elixir that would help Bill and Tommy’s relationship," Kraft said in the episode. “But it was still unnatural and uncomfortable.”
After screening the 39-minute episode, CSM executive director B.J. Schecter led a Q&A with the bestselling author. Of the many interesting behind-the-scenes stories Benedict shared, the most powerful was his first meeting with Tom Brady.
It was recently Brady’s birthday, so Benedict bought him a “corny” birthday card. Brady wasn’t in a good mood at the start of the interview, so Benedict immediately gave him the card to try and shift the dynamic. Brady read through the card, laughed, and they chatted for hours before starting the interview.
Jeff Benedict and CSM executive director B.J. Schecter discuss Benedict's career, which has included 17 books and several television projects.
One student asked, “Who was to blame for the downfall of the dynasty?” Benedict responded candidly, saying the “dynasty” couldn’t have begun without all three men. He said he sees that dynamic like a marriage — and when some marriages end, it’s because they have run their course. Those involved decided to go their separate ways without any fuss.
The Dynasty isn’t Benedict’s only book that has been turned into a documentary or film. He was also the executive producer for the documentaries "Tiger" (2021) and "Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food" (2023), based on Tiger Woods, a No. 1 bestseller published in 2018, and Poisoned, which was published in 2011. For his book Little Pink House, published in January 2009, he co-produced its feature film of the same name (2017) starring Catherine Keener and Jeanna Tripplehorn.
Watch The Dynasty docuseries »
Pick up a copy of The Dynasty »
About Seton Hall's Center for Sports Media
The Center for Sports Media, housed within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, works at the intersection of sports, media and social life, reflecting the legacy
of its founder, Bob Ley, and his groundbreaking ESPN show, Outside the Lines. Established in Fall 2021, the Center is working to redefine how students are trained
in media, communications and sports business, by engaging with the sports community,
while also producing groundbreaking content through University channels and establishing
innovative partnerships with major media outlets. Through the activities generated
and inspired by the Center for Sports Media, Seton Hall continues its tradition of
innovation in higher education, and underscores its commitment to experiential learning,
ethical leadership and community engagement.
Categories: Arts and Culture
