CBS NEWS: Georgia Bulldogs Crowned the “Most Influential Collegiate Program of the 21st Century” — ESPN, Netflix, and More Join Historic Recognition in Athens
Athens, GA — June 19, 2025
In a groundbreaking development for collegiate athletics, the Georgia Bulldogs have been officially recognized by a coalition of major media outlets — including CBS, ESPN, Netflix, and The Athletic — as the “Most Influential Collegiate Program of the 21st Century.” The honor, announced during a live broadcast from Sanford Stadium, marks an unprecedented milestone in the history of college sports.
The recognition goes far beyond wins and championships. While Georgia’s back-to-back national football titles in 2021 and 2022 under head coach Kirby Smart helped solidify the program’s dominance, it was the university’s holistic approach to athlete development, media innovation, and cultural influence that earned them this crown.
“Georgia isn’t just winning games — they’re setting the standard for what a collegiate program should be,” said ESPN’s Rece Davis during the announcement special. “From NIL leadership and sports science investments to storytelling power through Netflix’s ‘Between the Hedges’ docuseries, this program has redefined influence.”
Netflix’s collaboration with the university, Between the Hedges, became a global phenomenon in 2024, rivaling F1’s Drive to Survive in viewership metrics. It offered an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the culture, chaos, and camaraderie within Georgia athletics — boosting not just recruiting, but also enrollment across the board.
In addition to football dominance, Georgia’s athletic department saw unprecedented success in Olympic sports, women’s gymnastics, and baseball. Off the field, the university became a trailblazer in athlete brand-building, opening a first-of-its-kind NIL Innovation Lab in 2023 that’s now being replicated by other schools nationwide.
The honor comes with a permanent media monument to be erected on campus — a digital “Hall of Influence” sponsored by CBS and Netflix that will chronicle Georgia’s evolution from powerhouse to paradigm.
As fans flooded downtown Athens in celebration, the message was clear:
The Dawgs aren’t just barking — they’re leading.
