HBO Sports Show Debuts With Record Numbers

Former Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's show debuts with historic numbers.HBO's newest show Ballers, which debuted on Sunday has been called "Entourage with jocks". Well already after just one week, Ballers and Entourage, already have a connection when it comes to ratings. The HBO comedy, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, debuted with 2.16 million viewers. That opening number ranks as the network’s most-watched comedy episode since the series finale of “Entourage” in 2011.  (2.61 million). Ballers stars Johnson as Spencer Strasmore, a retired pro football player who’s now trying to make a second career as a financial adviser. The show will follow Strasmore,  as he  deals with  post-NFL career issues attempts to navigate his way in a new career and works on a new contract for his star player. HBO may need to be careful when pushing the boundaries involving the NFL and it's new breakout show. In 2003, ESPN was forced to cancel its show Playmakers after the league pressured the network to do so because they disliked the portyal of the athlete's lives off the field. HBO has a current partnership with the league for their annual Hard Knocks: Traning Camp special each season. Ballers second episode is Sunday June 28th at 10pm eastern.