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Bill Simmons is leaving ESPN

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by Songbird, May 8, 2015.

  1. Songbird

    Songbird Well-Known Member


     
  2. RecoveringJournalist

    RecoveringJournalist Well-Known Member

    ESPN opted not to renew his contract, which is up in September.
     
  3. MTM

    MTM Well-Known Member

    Not trying to be a jerk, but why should anybody care?

    Do people go to ESPN for the "talent," or do they just watch for games or highlights? Would you watch, or not watch, because of an anchor or analyst?

    I have turned off a couple programs because of Berman, but other than that, it doesn't matter.
     
  4. JackReacher

    JackReacher Well-Known Member

    A board for journalists. Yeah, why would anyone care about this?

    Excellent point.
     
  5. Dick Whitman

    Dick Whitman Well-Known Member

    Just spitball here, but maybe because he spearheaded the network's popular documentary series, "30 for 30."

    Or because he spearheaded "Grantland," the popular ESPN side project.

    Or because he's probably the most popular columnist at the network.

    Just spitballing, though.
     
  6. JC

    JC Well-Known Member

    You think that is enough for people to care Dick?
     
    Dick Whitman likes this.
  7. Steak Snabler

    Steak Snabler Well-Known Member

    So where's he go? Turner? Fox? Yahoo?

    Or does he do like his buddy Adam Carolla and launch his own multimedia network?

    I would lean toward the latter except he wouldn't have mainstream access to the NBA, which we know is important to him.
     
  8. RecoveringJournalist

    RecoveringJournalist Well-Known Member

    We absolutely should care. ESPN, as a whole, is greatly improved because of its relationship with Simmons. The 30 for 30s were by far one of the best things ESPN has ever done.

    He didn't properly kiss John Skipper's ass and he's viewed as a troublemaker, so he's gone.
     
  9. Webster

    Webster Well-Known Member

    When he set up the second podcast a few weeks ago, I wondered if that was a sign to ESPN or a suitor, how his name could instantly get a podcast to number 1 on iTunes.
     
  10. RecoveringJournalist

    RecoveringJournalist Well-Known Member

    I think he will wind up at Turner in some capacity. I will be very curious what he does with his podcast, which will get infinitely better when it's not overseen by ESPN.
     
  11. Steak Snabler

    Steak Snabler Well-Known Member

    No doubt about that. I can't wait til his first post-ESPN pod, when the gloves are off and he can finally say what he wants.
     
  12. RecoveringJournalist

    RecoveringJournalist Well-Known Member

    I am under the impression that Simmons and Rick Reilly are paid roughly the same by ESPN.

    Simmons has been worth every cent and they got a ton of return on that investment and that's more than they can say with a lot of their highly-priced talent.
     
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