Is ESPN Finally Waking Up? Network Walks Away from Kaepernick Docuseries After Years of Production
ESPN has indefinitely halted the release of a multi-part docuseries about former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick,citing “creative differences.” Directed by Spike Lee, the series was intended to explore kaepernick’s life, career, and his activism, notably his protests against racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem.The project, announced in 2020 and starting production in 2022, will no longer be aired according to statements from ESPN and Lee, who is bound by a nondisclosure agreement and unable to provide further details. The cancellation has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some expressing disappointment over the lost prospect to share Kaepernick’s story, while others criticized the project and its subject.
ESPN will no longer air a docuseries highlighting former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick over what the sports network called “creative differences.”
Kaepernick, who played for the San Francisco 49ers between 2011 and 2016, is the subject of a multi-part series directed by Spike Lee.
But according to Lee and ESPN, the project is on an indefinite pause.
“ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences,” ESPN told Reuters on Saturday.
ESPN will ‘no longer proceed’ with Spike Lee’s Colin Kaepernick docuseries: ‘It’s not coming out’ https://t.co/IAIGjeR2q3 pic.twitter.com/XCtI7QePJW
— New York Post (@nypost) August 16, 2025
“Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film,” the sports network added.
Lee likewise confirmed that the docuseries is “not coming out.”
“That’s all I can say,” he said at an Aug. 15 charity fundraiser event.
When asked to elaborate, Lee said he had signed an agreement forbidding him from discussing the matter.
“I can’t. I signed a nondisclosure. I can’t talk about it,” he explained.
The series was supposed to feature Kaepernick in his life and career, as well as his controversial moves to highlight purported racial injustice by kneeling for the national anthem before games.
The project was first announced in 2020, and production started in 2022, according to a report from Entertainment Weekly.
“I’m grateful to be able to work with the legend Spike Lee on my docu-series,” Kaepernick posted three years ago. “It’s time for the narrative to be corrected.”
I’m grateful to be able to work with the legend Spike Lee on my docu-series. Thank you @jemelehill for being a part of our incredible team. It’s time for the narrative to be corrected. https://t.co/JGazlKMVx4 pic.twitter.com/9sqMyFa4rv
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 3, 2022
Some social media users reacted positively to the cancellation of the docuseries, a development which comes as many brands seek to disassociate themselves from perceived wokeness.
“This is terrible. Now we will never know Colin Kaepernick’s story,” one commenter sarcastically jabbed.
“Kaepernick prob makes much more money as a professional victim than he ever would have as a professional football player,” a second user remarked.
A third commenter told ESPN, “You may not know what a woman is, or if men should be in women’s sports, but at least you know that a hero-documentary about a lazy man is a bad idea.”
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