Bill Simmons will leave ESPN

[gunnarthor]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/09/sports/bill-simmons-and-espn-are-parting-ways.html?_r=0

 

ESPN won't renew him when his contract runs out in Sept.  I used to like him quite a bit but over the last few years he's become pretty basketball heavy and I don't care about that sport so I've stopped reading him as much.  His Q&A mailbags could be fun but that's about it for me anymore.

 

He's apparently been a pretty big "behind the scenes" guy at ESPN and built up Grantland (which I do read more often).  Grantland will stay with ESPN.  

 

I'm sure he'll have tons of suitors trying to get him to come aboard but leaving ESPN will certainly impact his reach a bit.

[Mike Sixel]

I love Grantland, if that changes, bummer for all of us probably.

[biggentleben]

Simmons has gotten quite full of himself.  He makes Keith Law look humble.

 

I think it's telling that he was basically banned from appearing on ESPN podcasts and radio numerous times due to his demands of air time when he was a guest on a program.  I loved him in 2000 or so when he first hit ESPN on Page 2 or whatever it was, but he's not that guy anymore.

[Steven Buhr]

Can't imagine the network that keeps giving Jason Whitlock bigger and better gigs would part ways with anyone due to personalities.

 

Does sound like Simmons developed a pretty impressive ego, though. Hard to believe for "big time" media guy, isn't it?

 

I suspect ESPN will find a way to endure without him.

[DaveW]

Grantland loses money hand over fist and Simmons was never worth the salary he was given, which is fine, but if you are losing your company money AND being a malcontent, its not a surprise that they will part ways with him.

He should have kept his ego in check a bit, now he may never see a TV gig again unless he signs with Turner, (but then would have to write for Bleacher Report)

[Mike Sixel]

Some of the Grantland articles about race and politics have been great. Great journalism. Had no idea they were losing money there.

[TheLeviathan]

Yeah, where does the losing money stuff come from?  First I've heard that.  I think Grantland is a very, very interesting read.  

 

Simmons has lost all humility but people are missing the boat on this a bit.  Simmons is one of the few guys fearless enough, with a large enough audience, and the appropriate amount of teeth to his bite to do what is needed:  Absolutely trash ESPN and their constant stupidity as often as possible.

 

I look forward to seeing what he's like when the leash comes off.

[Shane Wahl]

I like Simmons as much as anyone discussing sport today. 

 

He was can be very self-deprecating at times and Jalen makes fun of him somewhat regularly.