Colin Kaepernick now has a first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company. His deal will extend across all Disney platforms including Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Hulu, Pixar, and The Undefeated. The former NFL player’s first project with the company will be a docuseries about his last five years produced by ESPN Films.
The deal was made with Kaepernick’s production arm, Ra Vision Media. The partnership will highlight and focus on scripted and unscripted content that explores race, social injustice, and the quest for equity.
Despite wanting to be an NFL quarterback again, Kaepernick signing a first-look deal with Disney is huge. Kaepernick will closely work with Disney-owned site The Undefeated.
“I am excited to announce this historic partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate Black and Brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives,” Kaepernick said in a statement to ESPN. “I look forward to sharing the docuseries on my life story, in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing.”
Kaepernick’s deal goes beyond The Undefeated/ESPN and Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger shared his thoughts in a statement to ESPN:
“During this unprecedented time, The Walt Disney Company remains committed to creating diverse and inclusive content that resonates and matters, Colin’s experience gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of sports, culture, and race, which will undoubtedly create compelling stories that will educate, enlighten and entertain, and we look forward to working with him on this important collaboration.” — Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger
The new deal seems like a big deal both for Kaepernick and for Disney. This seems like the type of deal similar to Hamilton that was probably spearheaded by Iger now that he has more freedom to work on the creative side of the company.
Colin Kaepernick was also recently named to the board of directors of Medium (Boardwalk Times uses the digital publisher Medium for our website).
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
