NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN says that it is parting ways with Bill Simmons, one of its top personalities who created the Grantland website and was instrumental in the network’s documentary series.
Network president John Skipper said Friday that he decided not to renew Simmons’ contract. He said ESPN was negotiating an extension, but that “it was clear it was time to move on.”
ESPN suspended Simmons for three weeks last year after he called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a liar in a profane podcast.
Skipper said Simmons has produced great content for ESPN and the network gave Simmons many opportunities. He said ESPN remains committed to keeping Grantland operating.
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And Grantland and Simmons are also fairly tight with Silver and 538…wonder if there will be any domino effect there.
The Sports Guy used to be a terrific read. Then he got a little too impressed with himself, and now he’s pretty much of a bore, though he does still make me laugh on occasion. There’s been a switch in perspective that now infects his writing, from clever & knowledgeable outsider to pretentious insider, and it saddens me to think his earlier persona was just fashion and not truly him.
The Onion, as usual, nailed it:
“What I really love about my writing—and believe me there’s a lot I love about it—is that my love for my writing comes across in what I’ve written,” Simmons said while signing books for party attendees, some of whom had reportedly requested the honor. “I have in any case been told it does, sometimes at its oddest moments, and that, for me, is a source of great pride. But I confess what I’m most proud of are the comparisons to the greats: Damon Runyon, Ring Lardner, David Halberstam, John McPhee, Aaron Spelling. I’m really glad I was able to make those.”
–The Onion
My problem with him began when I listened to one of his podcasts. I, fortunately, had never heard his voice before and once I did I could never get it out of my head when I read his stuff. I’ve never fully enjoyed it since.