ESPN Cancels "Playmakers"

      BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) - ESPN canceled "Playmakers" after one season Wednesday, ending a show that drew criticism from the NFL and some players.
      The show focused on a fictional team and featured plots that included drug use, marital infidelity, racism and homophobia.
      ESPN is paying the NFL $4.8 billion over eight seasons for the rights to Sunday night games. League commissioner Paul Tagliabue had expressed concerns that "Playmakers" was one-dimensional and perpetuated racial stereotypes.
      "Many considerations went into this decision, not the least of which was the reaction from a longtime and valued partner," ESPN VP of programming and production Mark Shapiro said.
      "Playmakers" garnered critical praise and was watched by an average of 2 million people each week, five times the ratings the network drew for that time slot the previous year.
      The show also drew criticism from current players, with Tampa Bay defensive tackle Warren Sapp refusing to do interviews with ESPN. By the end of the season, however, there were reports that players approached the network to inquire about roles on the show.
      (Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Read about AWSM's protest of ESPN's "Playmakers" .