Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
yesterday

ESPN, Spike Lee and Kaepernick Cancel Documentary Over Creative Differences

A binding nondisclosure agreement prevents the details behind the decision from being disclosed publicly.

Image
Colin Kaepernick puts his hand over his heart in response to a comment at a special training event created by Kaepernick to provide greater access to scouts, the media, and the public, at Charles. R. Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia, U.S., November 16, 2019. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo
Image
Image

Overview

  • Production on the multi-part ESPN Films series began in 2022 as a "full, first-person account" of Colin Kaepernick’s protests and aftermath.
  • Spike Lee confirmed the series “is not coming out” at a Beverly Hills event and cited a signed nondisclosure agreement as his reason for remaining silent.
  • In a statement to Reuters, ESPN said all parties decided to halt the project after failing to resolve their creative disagreements.
  • Earlier reports indicated challenges over narrative control and that ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro had considered allowing the series to be shopped to other distributors.
  • The planned documentary focused on Kaepernick’s 2016 national anthem protests, his absence from the NFL and his settled collusion grievance with team owners.