Bill Simmons is leaving ESPN

[Songbird]

 

[RecoveringJournalist]

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

 

[MTM]

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.

 

[JackReacher]

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

Excellent point.

 

[Dick Whitman]

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?

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.

 

[JC]

You think that is enough for people to care ****?

 

[Steak Snabler]

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.

 

[RecoveringJournalist]

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.

 

[Webster]

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.

 

[RecoveringJournalist]

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.

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.

 

[Steak Snabler]

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.

 

[RecoveringJournalist]

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.

 

[JackReacher]

If Simmons and Reilly are making the same money, I can 100% see why Simmons would want out.

 

[RecoveringJournalist]

I'm sure there is some sense of relief from both sides. He can do what he wants without being censored and ESPN doesn't have to listen to one of its best commodities complain about certain things.

 

[RecoveringJournalist]

If I'm not mistaken, he and Reilly both make in the $3 million range.

 

[JackReacher]

I bet your pants are so tight, RJ. You live for this ****.

 

[exmediahack]

Whatever they paid Simmons was not enough. ESPN is a strong enough brand on its own however. Yet will 30/30 be altered?

I think Simmons could be the rare guy to leave ESPN and not lose that much influence. Olbermann and Kilborn come to mind but they found success in non-sports formats.

 

[LongTimeListener]

How long has Simmons worked for ESPN -- 20 years?

That's an unbelievably long time to stick together in that industry.

The relationship had run its course. They'll both be fine. I think Simmons with the Turner/BR team makes the most sense for his next move, but I could see a bidding war.

ETA: OK story says 15 years. Still a really long time.

 

[The Big Ragu]

I'm sure there is some sense of relief from both sides. He can do what he wants without being censored and ESPN doesn't have to listen to one of its best commodities complain about certain things.

From what I had read this has been brewing for a while. Simmons wanted out after the suspension and he thinks he can go independent -- maybe find a partner to do all the back-end stuff.

If that happens, I think he is going to find out that earning the $3 million that ESPN was paying him is not so easy. And I don't think anyone else will pay him anything like that -- even if you attribute a halo effect to him, he's not worth that in added revenue.

I won't count him totally out, but I suspect he is going to realize how good he had it.

 

[MTM]

I'm not saying Simmons wasn't important to the network, but people who watch ESPN will still watch ESPN and those who enjoy Simmons will follow him wherever he goes.

Maybe I'm just an old guy out of the demographic, but I'm driven by content, not who delivers it.

Then again, I don't get all the angst over the departures of Jon Stewart and David Letterman and the such. People move on and there are a lot of other options left behind.