October 29

New ABC television comedy to be based 
On life of openly gay athlete Robbie Rogers

The ABC television network is developing a series called Men in Shorts, inspired by real life soccer star Robbie Rogers, the first openly gay man to play in a major North American professional sports league. The situation comedy will be about a young pro soccer player who comes out of the closet and dives into the spotlight. Rogers himself is one of the show’s producers.

Gay professional athletes have started coming out in recent years, Jason Collins and Michael Sam chief among them. While Collins and Sam have struggled to establish careers, Rogers has become one of the LA Galaxy’s key players. His book, “Coming Out to Play,” will be published late next month.

With a side of swimwear: