An ESPN Films documentary about former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, directed by Spike Lee, will no longer air on the sports network.  

In a statement provided to The Athletic, a spokesperson confirmed that the highly anticipated docuseries has been shelved.

“ESPN, Colin Kaepernick, and Spike Lee have collectively decided to no longer proceed with this project as a result of certain creative differences,” the statement read. “Despite not reaching finality, we appreciate all the hard work and collaboration that went into this film.”

Lee also confirmed the news during a red carpet appearance at the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation dinner, a fundraiser for cancer research and treatment, held in Beverly Hills, California.

“It’s not coming out. That’s all I can say,” Lee said, citing a nondisclosure agreement. 

"I can't. I signed a nondisclosure. I can't talk about it."

Back in 2023, Lee expressed his excitement about the project and telling Kaepernick’s story.

“It’s titled “Da Saga of Colin Kaepernick.” Lee told The Washington Post in 2023, “We’re still working on it. You know, when I got the call to do it, from Kap, I said, ‘Of course.’ But it takes time. This is an opportunity for him to tell his story at length.”

Back in September, Puck News reported that the docuseries was delayed because of disagreements between Kaepernick and Lee over the direction of the project. Additionally, Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, was open to allowing the filmmakers to shop it elsewhere.

Kaepernick first came to prominence as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers in 2013, leading them to Super Bowl XLVII. In August 2016, he first knelt during the national anthem on August 26, 2016, at a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers to protest racial injustice and police brutality. He continued to kneel during the anthem throughout the 2016 NFL season, sparking debates across the country.  

Eventually, Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, “claiming he was being blacklisted due to his national anthem protests” along with former teammate Eric Reid. Their case was settled with the league in 2019. Although the settlement terms were confidential,  it is reported to be around $10 million.