ESPN delays broadcast debut of Down in the Valley

[VF21]

The Sacramento Bee Verified account ‏@sacbee_news 58m58 minutes ago
ESPN postpones Sacramento film due to new focus on Kevin Johnson molestation allegations http://sacb.ee/4qYo

Without commenting on the allegations against KJ, I find this interesting beyond all belief. ESPN, who worships at the feet of Floyd Mayweather and has often glorified the likes of Ray Rice and Allen Iverson, has found its "moral compass" on this?

NOTE: This announcement only affects the broadcast premiere on Oct. 20. ESPN has magnanimously said they have no problem with Sacramento having their two showings of the film tonight at the Crest Theater.

 

[VF21]

In light of recent articles revisiting allegations of sexual misconduct involving Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, ESPN has decided to delay its on-the-air premiere of “Down In The Valley,” a “30 for 30” ESPN Film that focuses on the fight to keep the Sacramento Kings from relocating to another city. The 77-minute documentary, which was scheduled to air Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, does not have a new release date at the moment. Johnson, who has been Mayor of Sacramento since 2008, is a key figure in the film.

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/10/12/espn-delay-kevin-johnson-sacramento-kings-documentary

I do not believe for an instant that ESPN suddenly made this decision. I think it is politically motivated, and not at all too far removed from the talks of KJ possibly seeking a third term as mayor of Sacramento.

I hate freaking politics.

 

[chasen4r1]

Well this sucks. Been eagerly counting down to watch this. I wonder how long we'll have to wait now

 

[Blastoff]

The Sacramento Bee Verified account ‏@sacbee_news 58m58 minutes ago
ESPN postpones Sacramento film due to new focus on Kevin Johnson molestation allegations http://sacb.ee/4qYo

Without commenting on the allegations against KJ, I find this interesting beyond all belief. ESPN, who worships at the feet of Floyd Mayweather and has often glorified the likes of Ray Rice and Allen Iverson, has found its "moral compass" on this?

NOTE: This announcement only affects the broadcast premiere on Oct. 20. ESPN has magnanimously said they have no problem with Sacramento having their two showings of the film tonight at the Crest Theater.

I think this is a shift we're seeing in a post-Bill Cosby scandal media environment. They're not going to look the other way anymore (at least on sexual assault), and that's a good thing.

 

[Ryan]

I think this is a shift we're seeing in a post-Bill Cosby scandal media environment. They're not going to look the other way anymore (at least on sexual assault), and that's a good thing.

It's not the first time a network has done this.

 

[Letsgokings13]

Wow, some bull

 

[Hoovtrain]

This has been out there for a long time (like a decade or 2)...So where was the outrage when this first came about rather than the story just getting swept under the rug and KJ literally getting no negative backlash on this whatsoever?

 

[swisshh]

This is political. ESPN spent a lot of energy propping up KJ and they gotta virtue signal in case this goes south. However, it hurts Kings fans more than it hurts KJ. It's just ESPN covering their ass.

 

[VF21]

I think this is a shift we're seeing in a post-Bill Cosby scandal media environment. They're not going to look the other way anymore (at least on sexual assault), and that's a good thing.

They're not going to look the other way but they continue to worship Floyd Mayweather?

These aren't new allegations, BTW. And that's ALL they are - allegations.

...What Dahl is referring to is a series of stories on Johnson by Deadspin’s Dave McKenna including one that featured Mandi Koba, a mother of three and an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. Koba told McKenna that nearly 20 years ago, Johnson paid her a six-figure settlement to remain quiet about a 1996 Phoenix police investigation into allegations that Johnson, who was 29 at the time, touched her inappropriately. Koba detailed that alleged encounter with Johnson in a Deadspin piece that ran on Sept. 25. The allegations are not new. The Sacramento Bee first reported in 2008 that she and Johnson had signed a draft confidential settlement agreement in 1997 worth $230,000. Johnson has repeatedly denied the allegations and no criminal charges were filed. Koba told Deadspin that she stayed quiet and took Johnson’s money in exchange for a pledge to never mention Johnson again except to “a priest, a therapist, or a lawyer.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Guilty until proved innocent says ESPN. Bunk!

 

[itzcoatl]

This has to be political. There is no ongoing civil case - the matter already settled. The district attorney already decided not to press charges. So what else does ESPN need to wait for??

 

[N0tmyfault]

They're not going to look the other way but they continue to worship Floyd Mayweather?

These aren't new allegations, BTW. And that's ALL they are - allegations.

Yeah - strong allegations, just like Bill Cosby. I would love to watch the film, but if it glorifies KJ in any way, I can pass. After reading parts of the report in PHX, I would be shocked if he was innocent, rather than guilty.

 

[chasen4r1]

“'Down in the Valley' tells the true Sacramento success story, highlighting the benefits of an entire community working together to achieve the collective goal. While it's unfortunate that the air date has been postponed, we’re looking forward to tonight’s premiere and for the rest of the country to learn more about our Sacramento pride." - Ben Sosenko, Press Secretary

https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/653717576212725761

 

[VF21]

Yeah - strong allegations, just like Bill Cosby. I would love to watch the film, but if it glorifies KJ in any way, I can pass. After reading parts of the report in PHX, I would be shocked if he was innocent, rather than guilty.

I was hoping this thread could evolve without it becoming about Bill Cosby. If it does, it will be closed. This is not about Bill Cosby and it's not about arguing the merits (if any) of the decades old allegation (as in one) against KJ.

 

[N0tmyfault]

I was hoping this thread could evolve without it becoming about Bill Cosby. If it does, it will be closed. This is not about Bill Cosby and it's not about arguing the merits (if any) of the decades old allegation (as in one) against KJ.

You emphasized "allegation," as if it should be marginalized because there was not a conviction. I was only putting light to the significance of these allegations. I was a champion for KJ up until I read about these allegations. I'm not sure why we can't civilly discuss an extremely important figure in our community who has close ties to our team?

 

[N0tmyfault]

Guilty until proved innocent says ESPN. Bunk!

That only holds true to the judicial system and has nothing to do with public opinion.

 

[SacramentoKings]

Lol since when does ESPN worship Mayweather?

It's quite the opposite.

 

[VF21]

You emphasized "allegation," as if it should be marginalized because there was not a conviction. I was only putting light to the significance of these allegations. I was a champion for KJ up until I read about these allegations. I'm not sure why we can't civilly discuss an extremely important figure in our community who has close ties to our team?

I emphasized allegations because people need to remember that not all allegations are truthful. And, for the record, I know of someone who faced false allegations and had to spend almost $100,000 fighting them.

Bottom line is that DITV is not the Kevin Johnson Story. It's the story of the Sacramento Kings and how their fans refused to let them be stolen away. It's about the city, it's about fans, it's about a lot more than KJ. The idea that ESPN is going to take the moral high ground on this issue when they have consistently ignored issues with actual proof is abhorrent to me on all levels.

You have your opinion and I respect it. I just do not agree with it after personally witnessing the hell someone can go through based on fraudulent allegations.

 

[itzcoatl]

It's difficult for me to comment on this issue from the perspective of the validity or invalidity of the allegations. I haven't followed the case at all. I'm just disappointed that I won't get to see the documentary because I have been looking forward to it.

ESPN's decision is odd because it's postponing a documentary that is not even about KJ based upon a "new interview". Well, is there new evidence in this interview that was not previously disclose? If it was not previously disclosed why would the young woman not report it to law enforcement, to the DA, or in the course of her civil lawsuit? I have to imagine that there is no new evidence which suggests that the timing of the interview and ESPN's decision are politically motivated. Why make a last second decision to postpone the documentary if there's no real new evidence? I hope I'm not going over the line in appropriate vs nonappropritare forum talk here. Just bummed out about the documentary.

 

[swisshh]

To me, it's hilarious that I see people nodding in approval of this move by ESPN as though it's a move that helps the girl in question. This is all about ESPN. The media put forth the KJ is a hero story so much that it's even in the NBA 2k16 video game, uttered by ESPN analysts in-game every Kings home game. If Johnson becomes PR poison then they have a lot to lose. This is an old case that was not unknown. It's a settled matter. I make no claims on guilt or what went on. The delay is not about that. The delay is to try to backtrack on a narrative in case it costs ESPN bad pub.

This isn't a heroic move by ESPN. It's a whiteout editing stall. The thing that's getting held up has nothing to do with KJ in Phoenix.

 

[SacramentoKings]

I emphasized allegations because people need to remember that not all allegations are truthful. And, for the record, I know of someone who faced false allegations and had to spend almost $100,000 fighting them.

Bottom line is that DITV is not the Kevin Johnson Story. It's the story of the Sacramento Kings and how their fans refused to let them be stolen away. It's about the city, it's about fans, it's about a lot more than KJ. The idea that ESPN is going to take the moral high ground on this issue when they have consistently ignored issues with actual proof is abhorrent to me on all levels.

You have your opinion and I respect it. I just do not agree with it after personally witnessing the hell someone can go through based on fraudulent allegations.

Let's be honest. Although the fans and the city did a lot to save the team, this is in fact how Kevin Johnson saved the team. At the end of the day, he lined up investors, he lined up the whales, he went to New York, he sold the pitch to the board.

As much as we want to take credit for the Kings still being here, Kevin Johnson saved this team, and DITV is the story of how he did it.

 

[206Fan]

KJ is a POS. I hope he never ever ever comes near the Kings nor Sacramento ever again. For the sake everyone, he better not move up in politics.

Yes he made a huge pitch in saving the Kings, and I'm happy for that, but the rest of him sucks.

KJ is a very very dirty man. If the film highlights him in anyway, I'll be ok with them taking his entire mention out.

Victim describing what KJ did.

KJ has had a terrible long rep.

 

[Hoovtrain]

They're not going to look the other way but they continue to worship Floyd Mayweather?

These aren't new allegations, BTW. And that's ALL they are - allegations.

I'm going to respectfully disagree about brushing them off as just allegations. If you read the police report (not saying you specifically) and transcript in its entirety , in particular his police recorded conversation with her, there are some pretty damning things said by KJ that there is no way around and no logical explanation for. Well there actually is a very logical explanation. I've always had a problem with how this whole thing was just kind of glossed over and not a lot of people seem to give a crap. But I digress

 

[Hoovtrain]

I was hoping this thread could evolve without it becoming about Bill Cosby. If it does, it will be closed. This is not about Bill Cosby and it's not about arguing the merits (if any) of the decades old allegation (as in one) against KJ.

It's not just 1 allegation VF...there a numerous ones

 

[One and Done]

Tough break for Kings fans, the city of Sacramento (for canceling the much-needed positive exposure), as well as all parties involved in this case (digging up old wounds). Certainly hope these terrible, awful allegations are false - and if they aren't, they just aren't forgivable. On the flipside, I also know this is politics at work; having seen the inner workings of both sides of a smear campaign in my lifetime (both the political and press), this campaign by the Washington-based writer is definitely someone with motives, and the timing is peculiar. But who can argue with the subject matter? True or untrue, just plain awful for all involved, especially the purported victim. Blech.

 

[PurpleHaze]

That only holds true to the judicial system and has nothing to do with public opinion.

ESPN (owned by Disney) very willing to try to influence public opinion by exercising their powerful media veto of KJ.

 

[KingsFanSince85]

This is utterly ridiculous. Whatever KJ did or didn't do in his past has NOTHING to do whatsoever with Sacramento's fight to keep their basketball team and it doesn't at all change KJ's role in it. I fail to understand why the story suddenly cannot be told and is seemingly dependent upon the re-surfacing of decades old allegations. Furthermore, it's not like these allegations are going to be proven true or untrue anytime soon, so what is the point of the delay?

I don't know whether there is any truth to the allegations or not. But assuming for a moment that there is, it still doesn't mean that KJ didn't do a good thing in a completely different and unrelated situation. It's simply telling the truth about the Kings and the fight to keep them in Sacramento. If a convicted murderer saved the lives of several people in a separate incident, it doesn't go unreported because it somehow "glorifies" the murderer.

And the comparison to the "other" celebrity rape scandal is a horrible one in that he made admissions in a court of law whereas KJ has always maintained his innocence and isn't currently being tried in a court of law. Apples and oranges.

Whatever one's opinion of KJ is, it doesn't change the story of the Kings saga. That's the point.

 

[Warhawk]

KJ is a POS. I hope he never ever ever comes near the Kings nor Sacramento ever again. For the sake everyone, he better not move up in politics.

Yes he made a huge pitch in saving the Kings, and I'm happy for that, but the rest of him sucks.

KJ is a very very dirty man. If the film highlights him in anyway, I'll be ok with them taking his entire mention out.

Victim describing what KJ did.

KJ has had a terrible long rep.

I haven't watched the video yet and as I am at work, I am not going to now.

But what does any of this have to do with what has transpired in the past few years to keep the Kings?

So if KJ is walking down the street and pulls a man from the path of a bus and saves his life, you are saying that story can't be told without bringing up accusations from 20 years ago that have absolutely no bearing on the man or the bus? If this was a "history of KJ" story, then obviously it should be delved into. But accusations 20 years old rising up just as this film comes out and he may be up for re-election? Seriously? This is political smearing at it's finest.

I've met KJ a couple times and shook his hand. I'm glad he's been the mayor to shepherd through what is leading to the arena and keeping the team. I haven't followed the older accusations and frankly don't care to dig into them now. I am not going to proclaim his innocence or guilt. That is for the courts to decide, and I haven't heard much of anything from them one way or another. If he's guilty of something that he can be tried for, then do it. Put up or shut up.

But none of this has any bearing on the Sacramento situation shown in the film, and frankly it is disgusting that these politically-motivated tactics would come out now. Let Sacramento have it's time to celebrate keeping the team and the new arena without bogging down that celebration with unrelated news stories from 20 years ago. ESPN should be ashamed of themselves for caving to this.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I don't think that it's unfair to say that that's a fairly provincial way of looking at things. I have my doubts that, if this were a story about the mayor of Milwaukee fighting to keep the Bucks, that Kings Fans would be as quick to demand that such a story not be talked about.

 

[macadocious]

I don't think that it's unfair to say that that's a fairly provincial way of looking at things. I have my doubts that, if this were a story about the mayor of Milwaukee fighting to keep the Bucks, that Kings Fans would be as quick to demand that such a story not be talked about.

What story are people demanding we don't talk about?

 

[kingjatt]

I think this is a shift we're seeing in a post-Bill Cosby scandal media environment. They're not going to look the other way anymore (at least on sexual assault), and that's a good thing.

ESPN looks the other way just fine when it comes to Mayweather a convicted women abuser.. ESPN has been overall trash for a long time.