Latest news with #Kaepernick
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
NFL, ESPN deal is bad for sports journalism. Kaepernick doc proves it
When news broke that the NFL and ESPN were getting in bed together, with the league eventually owning 10% of the network, concerns immediately arose about the deal's impact on ESPN's journalistic independence. A media outlet being owned, even slightly, by an entity it covers. What could possibly go wrong! Even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's promise to ESPN employees that the league wouldn't interfere with the network's journalism wasn't enough to satisfy concerns. Why? Because the league has shown over and over again that it can't be trusted. Its long-standing denials that the game could cause traumatic brain injuries. Its bait-and-switch on health care for retirees. Its abysmal treatment of Black players. I could go on. The only constant in the NFL, besides Jerry Jones' inability to see his shortcomings as a GM, is that the NFL is going to do what's best for the NFL. And a documentary on Colin Kaepernick would be the opposite of what's best for the NFL. OPINION: I was interviewed by Spike Lee for Colin Kaepernick doc. What happened to it? The NFL has largely moved on from the firestorm that surrounded Kaepernick's protests of racist policing of people of color. Kaepernick hasn't been on an NFL roster in eight years, and the other players who were prominent in their support of him or active in the Players Coalition are no longer in the league. The fans who claimed they'd never watch the NFL again because of the protests by Kaepernick and other players are, predictably, watching the NFL again. Donald Trump, who did as much as anyone to fan the fury over the player protests, has long since turned his attention to demonizing other protestors and people of color. A Kaepernick documentary puts it all -- the reasons for the protests, Kaepernick's collusion lawsuit, Goodell's 2020 apology to the former quarterback -- back in the spotlight, and the NFL would prefer just about anything but that. Especially given the merger with ESPN is expected to require approval from, among others, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. Fear that Trump would put his thumb on the scale of a major merger cowed CBS into paying an eight-figure sum to settle a winnable lawsuit the President filed against the network. Canning a documentary probably seems like a pittance by comparison, a couple of days of unflattering stories preferable to another season of manufactured outrage. "ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences," ESPN said in a statement to Reuters, which broke the news Saturday that the documentary has been shelved. OK. Sure. "The NFL played no role in this decision," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports. OK. Sure. Again. Merger aside, the NFL and ESPN have been here before. And by here, I mean having a "change of heart" about the network airing something that would make the NFL look bad. Back in 2013, ESPN was collaborating with PBS' Frontline on "League of Denial," an investigation into how the NFL had handled the growing crisis of former players developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other trauma-related brain diseases. But on Aug. 22 of that year, PBS released a statement saying ESPN was no longer involved in the documentary. "We don't normally comment on investigative projects in progress, but we regret ESPN's decision to end a collaboration that has spanned the last 15 months and is based on the work of ESPN reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru, as well as FRONTLINE's own original journalism," Frontline executives said. Unsurprisingly, the NFL denied pressuring ESPN. A day after Frontline's announcement, however, the New York Times reported that ESPN's decision came after Goodell and then-NFL Network president Steve Bornstein had expressed their displeasure with "League of Denial" during a lunch with network executives. The NFL succeeded in blackballing Kaepernick once. Why did anyone think it would be different this time around? The NFL has a vested interest in avoiding stories that could tarnish its image and put any of its multibillion-dollar revenues at risk. ESPN has a vested interest in keeping the league happy -- now more than ever. If that means journalistic independence has to take a back seat every once in a while, so be it. When there's money to be made and bills to pay, integrity is expendable. Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
USA Today
a day ago
- Politics
- USA Today
The NFL can't be trusted to not meddle in ESPN's business. It already has
It's quite possible the NFL had nothing to do with the shelving of ESPN's long-planned docuseries about Colin Kaepernick. It's also quite possible that Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and unicorns exist. When news broke that the NFL and ESPN were getting in bed together, with the league eventually owning 10% of the network, concerns immediately arose about the deal's impact on ESPN's journalistic independence. A media outlet being owned, even slightly, by an entity it covers. What could possibly go wrong! Even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's promise to ESPN employees that the league wouldn't interfere with the network's journalism wasn't enough to satisfy concerns. Why? Because the league has shown over and over again that it can't be trusted. Its long-standing denials that the game could cause traumatic brain injuries. Its bait-and-switch on health care for retirees. Its abysmal treatment of Black players. I could go on. The only constant in the NFL, besides Jerry Jones' inability to see his shortcomings as a GM, is that the NFL is going to do what's best for the NFL. And a documentary on Colin Kaepernick would be the opposite of what's best for the NFL. OPINION: I was interviewed by Spike Lee for Colin Kaepernick doc. What happened to it? The NFL has largely moved on from the firestorm that surrounded Kaepernick's protests of racist policing of people of color. Kaepernick hasn't been on an NFL roster in eight years, and the other players who were prominent in their support of him or active in the Players Coalition are no longer in the league. The fans who claimed they'd never watch the NFL again because of the protests by Kaepernick and other players are, predictably, watching the NFL again. Donald Trump, who did as much as anyone to fan the fury over the player protests, has long since turned his attention to demonizing other protestors and people of color. A Kaepernick documentary puts it all — the reasons for the protests, Kaepernick's collusion lawsuit, Goodell's 2020 apology to the former quarterback — back in the spotlight, and the NFL would prefer just about anything but that. Especially given the merger with ESPN is expected to require approval from, among others, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. Fear that Trump would put his thumb on the scale of a major merger cowed CBS into paying an eight-figure sum to settle a winnable lawsuit the President filed against the network. Canning a documentary probably seems like a pittance by comparison, a couple of days of unflattering stories preferable to another season of manufactured outrage. "ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences," ESPN said in a statement to Reuters, which broke the news Saturday that the documentary has been shelved. OK. Sure. "The NFL played no role in this decision," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports. OK. Sure. Again. Merger aside, the NFL and ESPN have been here before. And by here, I mean having a 'change of heart' about the network airing something that would make the NFL look bad. Back in 2013, ESPN was collaborating with PBS' Frontline on 'League of Denial,' an investigation into how the NFL had handled the growing crisis of former players developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other trauma-related brain diseases. But on Aug. 22 of that year, PBS released a statement saying ESPN was no longer involved in the documentary. 'We don't normally comment on investigative projects in progress, but we regret ESPN's decision to end a collaboration that has spanned the last 15 months and is based on the work of ESPN reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru, as well as FRONTLINE's own original journalism,' Frontline executives said. Unsurprisingly, the NFL denied pressuring ESPN. A day after Frontline's announcement, however, the New York Times reported that ESPN's decision came after Goodell and then-NFL Network president Steve Bornstein had expressed their displeasure with 'League of Denial' during a lunch with network executives. The NFL succeeded in blackballing Kaepernick once. Why did anyone think it would be different this time around? The NFL has a vested interest in avoiding stories that could tarnish its image and put any of its multibillion-dollar revenues at risk. ESPN has a vested interest in keeping the league happy — now more than ever. If that means journalistic independence has to take a back seat every once in a while, so be it. When there's money to be made and bills to pay, integrity is expendable. Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Spike Lee's Colin Kaepernick Docuseries Dropped by ESPN
Source: Bruce Guthrie Photos/Marlon Stewart In a surprising turn of events, ESPN has decided not to air Spike Lee's highly anticipated docuseries about Colin Kaepernick, citing 'creative differences' as the reason for the cancellation. The project, which was set to explore Kaepernick's protest movement against racial injustice and his subsequent departure from the NFL, will no longer move forward under ESPN's banner. The docuseries, produced by ESPN Films, was announced with much fanfare as a deep dive into Kaepernick's activism and the impact of his decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2016. However, ESPN, Kaepernick, and Lee collectively decided to halt the project. In a statement to Reuters, ESPN confirmed the decision, while Spike Lee, bound by a non-disclosure agreement, refrained from sharing further details, simply stating, 'It's not coming out.' The project, which began production in 2022, featured interviews with numerous public figures and journalists. Despite the cancellation, ESPN has reportedly allowed the filmmakers to shop the documentary to other platforms, leaving the door open for its potential release elsewhere. Timing and Context We care about your data. See our privacy policy. The cancellation comes shortly after ESPN's acquisition of the NFL's media assets, including the NFL Network, in exchange for a 10% ownership stake in ESPN. This deal, valued between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, has raised questions about the network's editorial independence. However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell assured ESPN employees that the network's coverage of the league would remain unaffected by the deal. Reports from 2024 suggested that disagreements between Kaepernick and Lee over the direction of the film may have contributed to the project's demise. While the exact nature of these creative differences remains unclear, they underscore the challenges of balancing artistic vision with the complexities of Kaepernick's story—a narrative that has sparked both admiration and controversy. Colin Kaepernick last played in the NFL in 2016, the same year he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and systemic inequality. His actions ignited a national conversation about social justice but also led to his departure from professional football. In 2019, Kaepernick settled a collusion grievance against NFL owners, further cementing his status as a polarizing figure in sports and activism. While the cancellation of this docuseries is a setback, it may not be the end of the road for the project. With its compelling subject matter and the involvement of a filmmaker as renowned as Spike Lee, the documentary could find a new home on another platform. For now, fans of both Kaepernick and Lee will have to wait to see if this story will eventually be told. SEE ALSO Spike Lee's Colin Kaepernick Docuseries Dropped by ESPN was originally published on
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
The scrapping of the Colin Kaepernick docuseries sparks unavoidable speculation
Eventually, there could be a documentary about the scrapping of ESPN's Colin Kaepernick documentary. The news that Spike Lee's collaboration with Kaepernick won't be televised by ESPN has sparked predictable speculation regarding its potential connection to the NFL acquiring 10 percent of ESPN. Even if the creative differences between Lee and Kaepernick predated ESPN's transaction with the NFL, the timeline will make reasonable people wonder whether the league and/or ESPN put the kibosh on the project. It's an item in Monday's edition of Sports Business Daily, with this title: 'Speculation grows as Spike Lee's Kaepernick doc won't air on ESPN.' The item links to an article from Tom Jones of Poynter, which explores the perception that the ESPN-NFL deal doomed the documentary. It's impossible to tell Kaepenick's story without exploring his claim that the league colluded against him after he became a free agent in 2017. Without exploring the evidence that his attorneys had developed. Without delving into the eventual settlement of the claim. Without examining the ill-fated joint workout the league arranged in November 2019. Without saying things the NFL would prefer not be said. Then there's the fact that the ESPN-NFL merger requires regulatory approval. Given the manner in which the current president reacted to the anthem protests sparked by Kaepernick, it would have been impossible to ignore that wrinkle in the eight-part series. Could things said in the Kaepernick documentary have become the sticking point for the administration? Again, the creative differences between Lee and Kaepernick may have been destined to derail the documentary. The ESPN-NFL deal will nevertheless cause plenty of people to believe that the league pressed the Playmakers button. Or that ESPN, in the exercise of its programming discretion, opted to kick the plug out of the wall before anyone asked for it to be pulled. This is the kind of thing that becomes unavoidable, now that the NFL is in line to own 10 percent of ESPN. Whether there's something to it or whether there isn't, any time ESPN makes a decision that tends to shield The Shield from scrutiny, reasonable people will think that the NFL asked for it — or that ESPN made the move pre-emptively. Is it worth it? That's for the NFL and ESPN to decide. But it's safe to say folks won't get used to this one. The question of whether ESPN's coverage of the NFL will be influenced by its business relationship with the NFL will from now on be an integral part of the coverage of ESPN.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
ESPN shelving Spike Lee's Kaepernick doc in wake of NFL deal is suspect
Spike Lee told @Reuters his multi-part docuseries about former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for ESPN Films will not be released Less than two weeks after the NFL and Disney announced a partnership that gave the league a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN, the network is suddenly reversing course on a previously planned documentary series on Colin Kaepernick being directed by legendary filmmaker Spike Lee. The timing is suspect, to say the least. As I called out when the deal was made public, ESPN's ability to be trusted as an objective news source on the NFL is severely compromised by the partnership -- even if a potential inability to hold the league accountable through reporting is more optics than truth. This documentary being scrapped is early proof of that. Who amongst us didn't have the thought that maybe, just maybe, the NFL had something to do with it? That may not necessarily be the case. In a statement to Reuters, ESPN cited 'creative differences' for why the network, Lee and Kaepernick collectively decided not to move forward with the project. But the NFL interfering can't be completely ruled out. "It's not coming out. That's all I can say," Lee told Reuters, saying he couldn't elaborate because he signed a non-disclosure agreement. In other words, we may never know what happened to get this project shelved. A REUNION: Rich Eisen will host his first SportsCenter in 20 years What we do know is the story of Kaepernick, who filed a grievance against the NFL alleging collusion after he was unable to find employment following his protests of racism and police brutality during the national anthem. The NFL settled with him. If the NDA doesn't prevent Lee and Kaepernick from shopping that story and all the particulars to another network, and it turns out to be more damaging for the NFL than we already know, it'll be an incredibly bad look for a network that decided not to air it and also happens to be partly owned by the NFL. If the NDA does prevent them from shopping it around... well, that's not a great look either. The Bengals are taking calls on Trey Hendrickson With no apparent movement in their negotiations with Trey Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals are now listening to trade offers for the dynamic edge rusher, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. FTW's Robert Zeglinski came up with a list of four logical destinations for Hendrickson, in the event Cincy does move him. Naturally, the Detroit Lions came up, as they typically do when a pass rusher hits the market: "Even after losing both their offensive and defensive coordinators in the offseason, Detroit still has one of the NFL's most complete rosters. That is, well, aside from a bona fide complementary pass-rusher alongside franchise player Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions' EDGE depth behind Hutchinson features names like Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad, which isn't awful, but it's also not ideal for a team that views itself as a Super Bowl contender." I still think the Bengals need to do everything in their power to keep Hendrickson. Without getting a couple starters in return, they'd be doing Joe Burrow and that entire offense a huge disservice by removing the best player from an already poor defense. Quick Hits: PS2 interview ... Robles apologizes ... This was For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
