If you were looking forward to ESPNs latest installment in their 30 for 30 series entitled Death in the Valley, originally set to air on October 20th, it has been shelved.
The documentary detailing Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson efforts to ultimately save the Kings franchise from being removed from the city was postponed after new video surfaced detailing sexual abuse allegations made against the former All-star point guard by a teenage girl during his NBA playing career.
ESPN stated that they’ve decided to delay the films release due to a recent, renewed focus on allegations against the mayor.
The video, originally recorded in 1997 shows Mandi Koba, then 16, being interviewed by Phoenix police; nearly a year after the alleged incident took place, while Johnson was a member of the Suns. Johnson was never charged with a crime.
Johnson was elected as mayor in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, despite these embarrassing allegations. However, the emergence of this new video and willingness of the victim to speak out recently about the incident, may prove to be extremely detrimental to his hopes to return as mayor for a third term. ESPN has chosen to distance themselves from this situation, and if these allegations are somehow proven true, this documentary may be permanently vaulted.
