Who didn't see this coming? @RichSandomir: BIll SImmons to leave ESPN, according to ESPN president John Skipper. "We weren't going to get to the terms," said Skipper.
Remind me again, do we hate Simmons? I enjoy his writing. The Book of Basketball and Now I Can Die Happy were good reads.
Heard him yesterday on Dan Patrick show and just thought it was a weird interview all along. Of course DP wouldnt even recognize ESPN per usual
Excited that he might go somewhere with more freedom. Pretty sure every sorts media company will give him a blank check to do what he wants.
I wonder if his expiring contract contains post expiration covenants regarding such things. If it doesn't, prepare the napalm.
I like a lot of the things Grantland does, so I hope he's able to take some of them with or someone else competent takes his place if the site remains after he leaves ESPN.
Statement from ESPN President John Skipper on Bill Simmons: “I decided today that we are not going to renew Bill Simmons’ contract. We have been in negotiations and it was clear it was time to move on. ESPN’s relationship with Bill has been mutually beneficial - he has produced great content for us for many years and ESPN has provided him many new opportunities to spread his wings. We wish Bill continued success as he plans his next chapter. ESPN remains committed to Grantland and we have a strong team in place.”
Still to this day, my favorite thing he's done were his early live draft diaries. Those had a young Truman in tears
not sure about the rest of the board, but i like simmons in everything where he's not being a boston sports homer.
Bill Simmons, boston fan, is a douche. self-righteous and cleverest man in the room Bill Simmons is a douche. Bill Simmons, sports/pop culture writer is pretty good. Unfortunately a lot more of the first two recently.
I wouldn't expect anything earth shattering, no, but he clearly has issues with the company and the way it's run.
I kinda don't want anyone to go w him. I don't want grantland to change. That will be interesting g to see how many go with him wherever that is. He gave a lot of young writers a platform
What if I told you that ESPN refuses to pay its talent? Would love to see him collect Dan Patrick types and have a tell all documentary.
So Grantland is staying without Simmons? Wonder who they get to possibly fill those shoes, and how many of the people he brought in end up leaving within the first year.
Simmons is an airbag now and has lost all the charm he once had. But ESPN is continuing a tailspin of quality, and 30 for 30 and Grantland were about the only things they were ahead of the curve on in the past 10 years. Less Simmons, more Cowherd, Bayless and Stephen A? No thanks.
Didn't they try to give him an Urban culture version of grantland and it turned into a dumpster fire?
yes. This is a pretty long read, more words than I care to read about Jason Whitlock but I've skimmed it. http://deadspin.com/how-jason-whitlock-is-poisoning-espns-black-grantland-1698683962 tl;dr big time dumpster fire
I mean pretty much. Greg Howard had a couple of pretty good pieces about it on Deadspin. http://deadspin.com/can-jason-whitlock-save-espns-black-grantland-from-hi-1586606960 http://deadspin.com/how-jason-whitlock-is-poisoning-espns-black-grantland-1698683962
Going to be real curious how this plays out until contract is up, they just going to disappear him and pay him until then? Or it going to be the awkward Conan final days? Sucks if he's not heard from during the one post season he's extremely talented at covering.