Amid sexual allegations against Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, ESPN has opted to delay its "30-For-30: Down In The Valley" special that prominently featured the former Suns star.
The documentary, which spans 77 minutes, was set to air on Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, but the affiliate has opted to delay it due to the sexual misconduct allegations against the NBA star-turned-politician. A new release date for the film, which focuses on the fight to keep the Kings in Sacramento -- something Johnson played a huge hand in -- hasn't been established.
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The allegations stem from several stories against Johnson, including a detailed account by Mandi Koba, a mother of three who claimed that Johnson touched her inappropriately in Phoenix when he was 29 and she was 15.
Johnson has denied the claims, in which Koba also alleged that Johnson paid her $230,000 to keep quiet about the assault. Koba's story was chronicled in September on Deadspin, though the allegations first came to the surface in 2008 despite no files being charged.
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In light of the latest news on the past issues involving Johnson, ESPN decided to delay the film's release.
"We are re-evaluating the content presentation of it and delaying the premiere," said John Dahl, the vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films and Original Content, according to Sports Illustrated. "When [director] Jason Hehir and we collectively agree that the film is ready and we are comfortable with it, then we will pick that air date. I think the most important thing here is to make sure it's clear that we are not tone deaf and we're aware of a renewed focus on certain issues."
The film made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in April and was shown last month at another festival in California. There were plans to show the documentary in Sacramento Monday night, but ESPN wants the public to know it is cognizant of what is going on and is being proactive about it.
"We are aware of the renewed focus out there on events and issues and allegations in Mayor Johnson's past," Dahl said. "We know what is out there and we acknowledge that it is out there and we want to make sure that it is clear to everyone that we are responsible how we handle the story."
Dahl was uncertain whether or not ESPN will re-approach the film with new interviews, but he was also emphatic that it wasn't a film based on Johnson.
"It was never a biography and it still won't be," he said.
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