Exclusive: Spike Lee’s documentary series on Colin Kaepernick will not run on ESPN due to “creative differences”
ESPN and director Spike Lee announced that their multi-part documentary project about former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who ignited a national debate when he demonstrated against racial inequality over ten years ago, will not be released.
“ESPN, Spike Lee, and Colin Kaepernick have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences,” the network told Reuters on Saturday afternoon.
“Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film.”
On Friday, Lee informed Reuters that the series would not be released.
“It isn’t emerging. “That’s all I have to say,” Lee said on the red carpet before the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation dinner in Beverly Hills, California, which raises money for cancer research and treatment.
The Oscar-winning director refused to comment when asked why, citing a nondisclosure agreement.
“I am unable to. A nondisclosure was signed by me. I am unable to discuss it.
From 2011 to 2016, Kaepernick was a member of the San Francisco 49ers. In 2016, he protested systematic racism and police brutality by kneeling during the playing of the U.S. national anthem, sparking a nationwide controversy.
Since that season, the 37-year-old athlete has not participated in any NFL games. Many analysts thought that the main reason teams were hesitant to sign him was because of his political involvement, which sparked a movement that infuriated US President Donald Trump.
Later, in 2019, he filed a grievance alleging collusion against team owners, which was resolved with the league.
According to a Kaepernick spokesman, the athlete was silent on Saturday regarding the documentary series.
The series, which is owned by Walt Disney (DIS.N), opened for production in 2022. According to ESPN, it will include in-depth interviews with Kaepernick and provide a “full, first-person account” of his experience.
Puck News revealed in September that the production was delayed due to disputes between Kaepernick and Lee regarding the film’s direction, and that ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro was amenable to letting the filmmakers shop it somewhere else.
