Clooney prodco spotlights OSU abuse

George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures has teamed up with Sports Illustrated Studios to produce a docuseries based on the alleged sexual abuse at Ohio State University from 1978 to 1998.

George Clooney

Based on an article published in US magazine Sports Illustrated in October, the series will examine the extent of Ohio State’s sports doctor Richard Strauss’s alleged sexual assaults and manipulation of over 350 student athletes.

Jon Wertheim, the Sports Illustrated executive editor and senior writer who broke the story, will serve as executive producer, along with Clooney, Grant Heslov, Jamie Salter, Corey Salter, Marc Rosen, David Glasser, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari.

Wertheim said: “This article uncovers the most widespread sexual abuse scandal in the history of American higher education. It is a story about power, abuse, enabling and the hierarchy of college sports that had been concealed for far too long.

“Because these courageous men made the decision to remain silent no longer, we can finally begin to hold the abuser, and those who were complicit in their silence, accountable for their actions – and inactions.”