ESPN suspends Bill Simmons for telling the truth.

Fire Goodell already and hire Simmons as the new Chief of the NFL.

I would imagine that ESPN knows that the NFL and Goodell seen the tape. The NFL and ESPN have some sort of understanding and ESPN has instructed their employees to tone it down on the hitting of the NFL. Simmons decides it's not right and opens up.

 

 

Why else would he call out the NFL and his employer, ESPN?

 

ESPN helping simmer the topic IMO.

I know it'll never happen, but I'd love to see the players association organize a boycott or strike until the owners fire Goodell.

 

ESPN is covering their tails. They're in bed with Goodell and can't have any criticism

Yep sv4, ESPN is in on the fix.

 

Excellent point UK, if the players associated went the strike/boycott direction Goodell would be gone immediately.

 

However, I think the players need to be on more solid ground before they get froggy.

I agree with Guru , Simmons needs to go full throttle. He is the most valuable talent they have. He created Grantland which is not only the leader in sports writing today but also is turning into the leader of the pack in sports podcast. He also is in charge of 30/30 . People mock ESPN but the two things everyone loves is Grantland and 30/30. I have a feeling there are a few executives who can't stand him and want him to fall in line but when push comes to shove I really don't think they can afford to lose him. Everything new and creative for ESPN over the last 5 years has run through Simmmons.

^ That's not even mentioning his podcast following which is huge.

^ That's not even mentioning his podcast following which is huge.

 

I did mention it . :jump:

I did mention it . :jump:

 

Yeah ditto what he said. :lol2: :thumb:

Great points guys, Simmons is in a position to put some serious pressure on ESPN and the NFL.

I agree with everything Simmons said... But it was dumb to dare them to punish him.

Fire Goodell already and hire Simmons as the new Chief of the NFL.

 

No. He needs to be in the NBA not the NFL.

If Simmons is suspended does that mean he can't release any written material or do a podcast? Does ESPN hold the rights to anything he produces?

This suspension just doesn't make any sense. I don't even agree with everything Simmons said in this case. But I don't think he said anything out of line or what a large portion of ESPN's viewership thinks. Suspending Stephen A made sense he upset people with a crazy statement. The only person Simmons upset was Goodell. What does ESPN fear from the NFL ? It's not like the NFL is going to give back ESPN's money. They need ESPN as much as ESPN needs them. Not to mention Simmons is in the minority on their network being that vocal. Most the NFL people have been pretty soft. So what is the harm in the different point of view.

 

I'm going to take a guess that I think is 100% accurate. I think this suspension was from an executive or a few executives who just want any reason to come down on Simmons. I don't even think this was the NFL putting pressure on them. I have a feeling there are some issues at the mothership. I bet some people don't like the amount of power Simmons has gained over the last 5 years. The problem is this was a poor business and PR move and for that reason Simmons needs to go full throttle . People who don't even like him have his back on this issue.

What does ESPN fear from the NFL ? It's not like the NFL is going to give back ESPN's money. They need ESPN as much as ESPN needs them.

 

I bet some people don't like the amount of power Simmons has gained over the last 5 years. The problem is this was a poor business and PR move and for that reason Simmons needs to go full throttle

 

1. The NFL does not need ESPN, period. ESPN only has a 1 game deal with them. NFL would be just fine without ESPN.

 

 

2. I don't think ESPN is afraid that Bill Simmons is "gaining power" or anything else similar to that. They're afraid that he's got a differing opinion on someone they work closely with.