US EditionSpike Lee and Colin Kaepernick ESPN Docuseries Canceled Amid Differences
The documentary on Colin Kaepernick's NFL career and activism was canceled due to creative differences, despite attracting over 4.3 million viewers in its first 24 hours of preview.
- On August 16, 2025, ESPN confirmed that Da Saga of Colin Kaepernick was discontinued due to creative differences among the partners.
- Amid growing creative friction, Puck News reported last year that Spike Lee and Colin Kaepernick had disagreements, with sources saying the decision was made last summer.
- At its announcement, ESPN Films described Da Saga of Colin Kaepernick as a full, first-person account of his activism and career, production began in 2022.
- ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said the network is open to shopping the shelved series to other platforms, suggesting it may find a new home despite cancellation.
- Following ESPN’s deal with the NFL for a 10%, stake valued between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, scrutiny around journalistic conflicts has already emerged.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Incomplete Pass: ESPN And Spike Lee Drop His Colin Kaepernick Documentary Series Over “Creative Differences”
ESPN has confirmed it is scrapping Spike Lee’s planned documentary series on ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, saying it’s by mutual agreement with the Oscar-winning filmmaker and Kaepernick. “ESPN, Colin Kaepernick and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences,” the sports giant said in a statement provided to Deadline. “Despite not reaching finality, we appreciat…
Spike Lee's Colin Kaepernick Documentary Is Canceled
The prospect of a Spike Lee-directed documentary on Colin Kaepernick seemed like an ideal combination of filmmaker and subject. Though Lee’s fictional films have been his highest-profile work, he’s also been behind critically-acclaimed nonfiction films like Four Little Girls and When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. Kapernick’s story involves race, politics, social change and celebrity, all themes Lee has expertly reckoned with in his c…
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