The latest amazing sports story podcast tells the true story of how Lithuanian basketball team reached the 1992 Olympics with help from the US rock band Grateful Dead.
Amazing Sports Story: Bill Walton's Grateful team at BBC World Services is told by the late basketball legend and US sports broadcaster Bill Walton.
Bill was a “dead head.” I'm a huge fan of Grateful Dead. He considered both the band and the 1992 Lithuanian basketball team as his friends. This podcast is one of Bill's last media projects. He sadly passed away in 2024, but soon after recording the series.
In 1992, Lithuania had recently gained independence from the Soviet Union, and its men's basketball team wanted to prove itself as a new independent country on the world stage.
They raised funds to reach the Barcelona Olympics. This is the American rock band “Grateful Dead” where one of the unexpected donors is.
Several financial support was provided by the band, and a series of iconic Thai dye t-shirts were provided. What is the only thing standing between Lithuania and the Olympic bronze? Unified Team – a team representing former Soviet countries, and for the Lithuanians, their former occupying people.
Can a Lithuanian basketball team defeat a unified team that sees the world? Can they win with Thai dye?
The weekly series features contributions from Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, the band's official historian Dennis McNally, and Lithuanian basketball stars Charnas Marnas Mar Illionis, Limaskull Tine and Valdemaras Chomisius.
During the series recording, Bill Walton said: “Basketball is life, and so is the Grateful Dead. Lithuanians have shown and given us the highest level, meaning and purpose in life.
“Inspiration, the motivation that drives us to make us better, better and do more. All of this is more than just a game.
“If you tried, you could not make this story. That's what makes this life and the death of gratitude so special. I'm the lucky man in the world.”
Bill's wife, Lori, said: “For Bill, collaboration between the Grateful Dead and the 1992 Lithuania Olympic basketball team was a perfect blend of his two passions.
“Arvydas Sabonis and šarūnas Marčiulionis were two of his favorite players, and Grateful Dead was his favorite band.
“With witnessing their unique partnership and success at the Olympics was a dream come true for him. Bill was extremely proud and honored to be part of BBC World Services' incredible sports story podcast.”
BBC World Services is grateful to Bill's family and friends for supporting Bill's posthumous projects.
Starting May 19th, you will be able to listen to Bill Walton's The Grateful team at BBC Sounds. It takes place on most podcast apps/platforms from outside the UK.
It will also be aired weekly on BBC World Service Radio from June 28th.
