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Colin Kaepernick signs partnership deal with Disney

It has just been revealed that former NFL star Colin Kaepernick has signed a partnership deal with The Walt Disney Company, one which will include him being featured in an upcoming docuseries produced by ESPN Films.

Kaepernick, 32, released a statement saying that he is looking forward to having the chance to “elevate Black and Brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives.”

“I look forward to sharing the docuseries on my life story, in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing,” Kaepernick added of the “historic partnership” between his production company Ra Vision Media and the Mickey Mouse network.

Part of the deal is that Kaepernick will have his projects distributed across all Disney platforms which include ESPN, Hulu, The Undefeated, Pixar, and The Walt Disney Co. Bob Iger, Disney’s executive chairman, released a statement of his own, saying that his company is “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,” Iger added, according to Fox News.

The first project that will be released through this partnership is set to be a docuseries that looks at the last five years of Kaepernick’s life. It is set to be produced by Jemele Hill, the former ESPN host who supported Kaepernick when he began taking a knee during the national anthem before his NFL games, to protest against racial inequality in America.

“Developing exceptional storytelling told through a wide array of voices is at the core of who we are at ESPN,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro added. “Colin has had a singular path as both an athlete and an activist, and as the nation continues to confront racism and social injustice, it feels particularly relevant to hear Colin’s voice on his evolution and motivations.”

This all comes days after it was announced that Kaepernick is teaming up with director Ava DuVernay to produce a series about his life for broadcast via the streaming giant Netflix. The scripted series will reportedly tell the story of Kaepernick’s “formative high school years, lending meaningful insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today.”

This piece was written by PopZette Staff on July 7, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

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