The recent announcement of Venu Sports’ closure last week took many by surprise, especially as ESPN and its partners abruptly ended their streaming collaboration. Contrary to expectations that Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros Discovery were committed to the venture, it was shocking to see it terminate before even launching. This, however, aligns with a pattern seen in ESPN’s history, where several initiatives have met similar fates.
While it’s easy to criticize ESPN for these abrupt cancellations, many projects have been backed with significant marketing yet quietly relegated to history. Let’s revisit some notable products and initiatives that ESPN greenlit but ultimately discontinued.
Mobile ESPN
Long before Apple revolutionized mobile technology with smartphones, ESPN ventured into the mobile phone market by launching a flip phone — first a Sanyo, then a Samsung — from November 2005 to December 2006. The service was met with limited success, with high costs and clunky design. According to the book Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN, the late Steve Jobs even told ESPN President George Bodenheimer that “Your phone is the dumbest fucking idea I have ever heard.” Despite these challenges, the 2006 Vanderbilt-Michigan game became the first sporting event streamed live on a mobile device, showcasing a brief glimmer of innovation.
Had ESPN committed more fully to Mobile ESPN, it might have gained traction. However, the launch of the iPhone in 2007 marked a death knell for the flip phone era.
ESPN 3D
In January 2010, amid much fanfare at CES, ESPN announced ESPN 3D, designed to capitalize on the expected boom of 3D televisions, with the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a primary showcase. The network featured various events, including the X Games and notable tennis matches. ESPN President George Bodenheimer touted it as a significant advancement in television experiences.
Despite launch efforts, by 2013, ESPN shut down ESPN 3D due to lack of audience interest in 3D technology. Viewers were reluctant to wear glasses to watch television, leading to the network’s decision to focus resources elsewhere. Notably, even with its closure, promotional content for ESPN 3D remains available on platforms like YouTube.
Playmakers
Launched during a time when ESPN was exploring scripted television, Playmakers aimed to depict the gritty realities of a fictional football team facing various challenges, including substance abuse and violence. This endeavor was part of ESPN Original Entertainment, which also introduced shows like Pardon the Interruption. Although ratings were strong, the show faced backlash from the NFL, leading to its cancellation after one season in 2004, as the league pressured ESPN due to perceived negative portrayals.
If you’re interested in Playmakers, it might be difficult to find it streaming, but those with DVDs of the series hold a rare gem.
League of Denial
Based on the book by the same name, League of Denial explored the NFL’s approach to concussions and was set to air as part of PBS’s Frontline series. However, as the project neared completion, ESPN pulled its name and logo amidst pressure from NFL officials, leading to tensions between the league and the network.
Despite ESPN’s withdrawal, PBS proceeded with the documentary, which became a significant critique of football’s handling of player safety. An ESPN executive later admitted that this decision negatively impacted the brand. The documentary still exists on the PBS Frontline YouTube channel, continuing to provoke discussions around player health.
ESPN has seen a variety of projects that haven’t panned out, leading to ongoing analysis of its attempts to innovate and adapt in evolving media landscapes.
