The story of Barry Bonds and the BALCO steroids scandal is going to be made into a film by HBO.
The premium cable channel has acquired the rights to “Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO and the Steroids Scandal That Rocked Professional Sports,” the book by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams who covered the story for the San Francisco Chronicle.
The book focused on the former San Francisco Giants slugger’s relationship with BALCO, the Burlingame-based nutrition company that is accused of distributing illegal steroids to Bonds, the New York Yankees’ Jason Giambi, and Olympic gold medal sprinter Marion Jones.
The film will be written and directed by Ron Shelton, whose lengthy resume includes such notable sports films as “Bull Durham,” “Tin Cup” and “White Men Can’t Jump.” It will be produced by Ross Greenburg, the head of HBO Sports who also produced “61*” about Roger Maris’ chase of Babe Ruth’s homerun record, and Michael Greenburg (“Stargate SG-1”).
Just when the film might make it to television is unclear. Shelton can’t even begin writing the script until after the current strike by television and film writers is settled.
After breaking Hank Aaron’s career home run record this past baseball season, Bonds was indicted on federal charges for allegedly lying under oath when he told a grand jury he had never used performance-enhancing drugs. He will be arraigned next month.
Contact Charlie McCollum at cmccollum@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5245. Find more of his stories and a link to his blog at www.mercurynews.com/charliemccollum.
