There's nothing that compares to watching a live sporting event in real-time, an experience that can be full of action, emotion, and unpredictability for the viewer. A sports documentary may not be the same as watching live, but can actually offer even more, capturing that excitement while also adding perspective and nuance that can deepen any fan's appreciation of pretty much any sport.

But what makes a sports documentary great? That's a question for which there's not a single easy answer, given that different documentaries offer different pleasures depending on their focus, agenda, and, to a certain extent, the way in which they're put together. With that in mind, it shouldn't be surprising that Netflix is a phenomenal source for documentaries and docuseries set in the world of sports, spanning pretty much every sport imaginable. Some of these feature some of the biggest names in sports, while others highlight fascinating...