Alex Rodriguez’s highly anticipated HBO docuseries “Alex vs ARod” has made waves not for what it includes, but for what it leaves out. The three-part series, which premiered in November 2024, chronicles the baseball legend’s career and personal struggles without mentioning his four-year relationship with actress Jennifer Lopez.
Directors Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew explained that they made a conscious effort to focus on Rodriguez’s baseball career and specifically his performance-enhancing drug use, rather than creating a complete biographical portrait.
A source tells Closer that J.Lo fully expected to be featured in the documentary—it was something they talked about for months. So when it was finally released, and she wasn’t mentioned at all, she was stunned and found it deeply humiliating.
The source adds that Rodriguez’s decision to essentially erase her from the narrative and completely cut her out of his life story feels incredibly disrespectful and emotionally upsetting to her.
Rodriguez and Lopez began dating in early 2017 after reconnecting at a restaurant, having first met at a Yankees game in 2005 when Lopez was still married to Marc Anthony. The couple got engaged in March 2019 during a romantic getaway in the Bahamas, with Rodriguez proposing with a reported 15-carat emerald-cut diamond ring.
During their time together, the power couple became fixtures on red carpets and social media, blending their families and supporting each other’s business ventures. In April 2020, they even attempted to purchase the New York Mets baseball team together, reportedly planning to contribute approximately $300 million from their personal funds.
The couple’s relationship hit turbulence in early 2021 when rumors surfaced about Rodriguez’s alleged communications with “Southern Charm” reality star Madison LeCroy. LeCroy confirmed they had spoken on the phone but denied they ever met physically. Lopez and Rodriguez announced their split in April 2021, releasing a joint statement saying, “We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so”.
While Lopez is absent from the series, Rodriguez’s ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis appears prominently in the HBO docuseries. She reflected on their marriage from 2002 to 2008, describing Rodriguez as “so stunted when it came to the natural development of a person” and “so entrenched in baseball”.
The documentary features 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 came during a challenging period for Lopez. Her divorce from Ben Affleck was finalized in February 2025 after she filed in August 2024. The couple had rekindled their romance in 2021, shortly after her split from Rodriguez, and married in 2022.
Lopez also parted ways with record label BMG in 2025 following disappointing sales of her 2024 album “This Is Me… Now”. Additionally, her 2024 North American tour “THIS IS ME… LIVE” was cancelled, with representatives stating she needed to spend time with family.
Interestingly, Lopez released her own documentary titled “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” in February 2024, which explored her journey to self-love and her rekindled romance with Affleck. Like Rodriguez’s documentary, Lopez’s project notably avoided discussing her previous high-profile relationships, including her engagement to Rodriguez.
Rodriguez told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s “never been big about sharing my private life,” explaining that “one of the things that has served me well is having a little bit more low profile of a life”.
The documentary instead focuses on Rodriguez’s baseball achievements, including his three MVP awards, 14 All-Star appearances, and 2009 World Series championship, alongside the controversies that marked his career, particularly his suspension for performance-enhancing drug use.
“Alex vs ARod” is currently streaming on HBO Max, offering viewers an intimate look at one of baseball’s most polarizing figures—though the story it tells is carefully focused on the diamond rather than the personal relationships that dominated tabloid headlines for years.
