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ESPN Backs Out From Film Project on Concussions in N.F.L.

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ESPN has been working closely with the television series “Frontline” on a two-part documentary about the National Football League’s ongoing concussion woes. Now, apparently in a dispute regarding editorial control over the co-developed content, ESPN has decided to extricate itself from the project altogether. A series of collaborative reports have already been released and a database to track concussions was created as well. The documentary is scheduled to air in October.

EPSN asserts that the need to split from the effort had been apparent for some time. Raney Aronson-Rath, a “Frontline” Executive Producer, states that ESPN was well aware of the editorial control details from the very beginning of the project. This does not mean that ESPN intends to leave the concussion issue alone. They will still address it through their own reports.

The documentary is largely the work of two brothers, Steve Fainaru and Mark Fainaru-Wada. Both are reporters for ESPN and have co-authored a book on the subject. The reporters and the Frontline staff were all surprised by the decision, as the relationship had seemed mutually beneficial.

The NFL, for their part, has refused to offer input on the project. Recent cancellations of interviews with high-ranking NFL executives are just the latest tactics employed as the league tries to protect its image. This is not the first time the NFL has orchestrated such maneuvers. In 2004, Paul Tagliabue may have had a hand in the cancellation of the ESPN series “Playmakers” because of adverse portrayal of the league.

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ESPN Backs Out From Film Project on Concussions in N.F.L. by
Authored by: Harrison Barnes