I'm surprised they didn't fire Keith Olbernann for his Derek Jeter rant.

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

 

Yup. He'd be great at that.

I've followed Bill Simmons all the way back to when he was The Boston Sports Guy on Digital Cities on the old AOL. We're the same age and both fans of the Red Sox and Celtics--he's been my favorite sports writer for a long time. I think he hit the nail on the head here and I hope he does just what he said he would do. I'd like to see him go back to working for himself anyway, he was a lot funnier then.

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.

 

Disagree . Love them or hate then ESPN is the pulse of sports news and action in this country. ESPN could have zero games and influence the NFL. ESPN has the power to influence all conversation in sports. The NFL needs them on their side.

I'm surprised they didn't fire Keith Olbernann for his Derek Jeter rant.

 

Even though a little overcooked I tend to agree with Olbermann in that Jeter has been overrated as a player. He is hiwever the last of the good guys from that era of baseball Where We saw steroids lessen the importance of statistics we always cared about. To Fire him over this would be wrong, just because Its harsh its one mans opinión and it creates a huge response which means more viewers.

.....

 

I know many don't, but I'm a huge fan of The Sports Guy (his written word, don't love him on NBA telecasts).

 

The article/blog entry he wrote while watching Hoosiers for the 250th time remains one of the funniest things I've ever read in my entire life.

1) IMO if Simmons said "I Think Goodell is lying" he would still be working. But the way he is putting it he is saying out right, that Goodell is lying without backing it up with proof.

 

2) Never publicly try to embarrass your bosses by calling them out in public...not wise IMO to dare anyone to say anything to him over his statements.

 

3) Now NFL people know who Bill Simmons is, not just NBA Junkies...this just raises his profile across sports reporting, not just NBA.

 

Unless he gets fired this is a Win-Win for Simmons; gets to slam NFL/Goodell, get's a few weeks off to get his batteries charged for the NBA season and now more people than ever have at least heard of his name and he has some name recognition across the nation.

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?

 

I was about ready to ask the same question. Curious if he walks does Grantland, 30 for 30, and other Simmons' products go with him?

1) IMO if Simmons said "I Think Goodell is lying" he would still be working. But the way he is putting it he is saying out right, that Goodell is lying without backing it up with proof.

 

2) Never publicly try to embarrass your bosses by calling them out in public...not wise IMO to dare anyone to say anything to him over his statements.

 

3) Now NFL people know who Bill Simmons is, not just NBA Junkies...this just raises his profile across sports reporting, not just NBA.

 

Unless he gets fired this is a Win-Win for Simmons; gets to slam NFL/Goodell, get's a few weeks off to get his batteries charged for the NBA season and now more people than ever have at least heard of his name and he has some name recognition across the nation.

 

This. It doesn't matter if you and the majority of the country think Goodell is lying. You can state it as a fact with no proof.

ESPN and NFL are business partners sssshhh Bill if you wanna continue to collect your 3 mill a year.

Love Simmons. Dislike all things ESPN/Goodell.