ESPN pulls out of concussion documentary series

Sports news giant ESPN has ended its participation in a joint reporting project with PBS’ Frontline that was focused on concussions in the National Football League (NFL).

The sports network said the reason was because it did not have editorial control of what was going to appear in a two-part Frontline documentary set to air in October. The partnership had already produced a number of online reports and brief television segments.

Some observers, including ESPN’s ombudsman, have raised the question of whether the decision was actually the result of pressure from the NFL. As neuroimaging sheds more light on the risks of concussions, calls have been made to improve protections for football players at every level.

For more on ESPN’s decision, read the New York Times story at the link below.