Alex Rodriguez’s HBO docuseries “Alex vs ARod” has sparked interest for its omissions rather than inclusions. The three-part series, which debuted in November 2025, documents the baseball icon’s career and personal challenges but notably omits reference to his four-year relationship with actress Jennifer Lopez.
Directors Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew explained that the focus was intentionally on Rodriguez’s baseball career and his use of performance-enhancing drugs, rather than a comprehensive biography.
A source informed Closer that Lopez anticipated being featured in the documentary, having discussed it for months. Her absence from the final cut was unexpected and reportedly upsetting for her.
The source further stated that Rodriguez’s choice to exclude her from the narrative feels disrespectful and emotionally troubling for Lopez.
Rodriguez and Lopez began dating in early 2017 after reconnecting at a restaurant. Their initial meeting was at a Yankees game in 2005 when Lopez was married to Marc Anthony. The pair got engaged in March 2019 during a Bahamas getaway, with Rodriguez proposing with a reported 16-carat diamond ring.
The couple was a prominent presence on red carpets and social media, blending their families and supporting each other’s business endeavors. In April 2020, they attempted to purchase the New York Mets, planning to invest approximately $300 million from personal funds.
Their relationship faced issues in early 2021 amid rumors that Rodriguez had allegedly exchanged phone calls with “Southern Charm” star Madison LeCroy. LeCroy confirmed the calls but denied meeting in person. Lopez and Rodriguez announced their split in April 2021, stating, “We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so.”
Though Lopez is not featured, Rodriguez’s ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis is prominently included in the series, reflecting on their marriage from 2002 to 2008 and describing Rodriguez as “so stunted when it came to the natural development of a person” and “so entrenched in baseball.”
The documentary includes interviews with Rodriguez’s brother, former manager Lou Piniella, former teammates Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr., Scurtis, Yankees announcer Michael Kay, and sportswriter Mike Francesa.
The documentary’s release coincided with a challenging period for Lopez. Her divorce from Ben Affleck was finalized in February 2025 following her filing in August 2024. They had rekindled their romance in 2021, shortly after her split from Rodriguez, and married in 2022.
Lopez also ended her association with the record label BMG in 2025, following the underperformance of her 2024 album “This Is Me… Now”. Additionally, her 2024 North American tour “THIS IS ME… LIVE” was canceled, with representatives citing family commitments.
Lopez released her documentary “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” in February 2024, exploring her journey to self-love and a renewed relationship with Affleck. Like Rodriguez’s series, it avoided her past high-profile relationships, including her engagement to Rodriguez.
Rodriguez told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s “never been big about sharing my private life,” adding that “one of the things that has served me well is having a little bit more low profile of a life.”
The documentary instead emphasizes Rodriguez’s baseball accomplishments, including his three MVP awards, 14 All-Star appearances, and 2009 World Series championship, as well as the controversies surrounding his performance-enhancing drug suspension.
“Alex vs ARod” is available on HBO Max, offering an in-depth look at one of baseball’s most debated figures, with a focus on his sports career rather than on his personal relationships, which captured media attention for years.
