All Things Sports Media Thread!!

[pmatic]

FoxSports.

Top 10 reasons Bill Simmons should join Fox Sports

News broke Friday morning that ESPN is parting ways with popular sports personality, Bill Simmons.

The World Wide Leader released this official statement.

ESPN statement on Bill Simmons leaving from ESPN President John Skipper:

“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.”

Since Simmons will be looking for employment, I'd like to let the man formerly known as the "Boston Sports Guy" that Fox Sports is the place for him. While I have no say in things like money, contracts and control, I can offer Simmons a bunch of other reasons why he should consider bringing his talets to Fox Sports. Here are 10:


10. We've never suspended anyone for tweets.

9. Have you see what we let Katie Nolan get away with?





8. You can become colleagues with a Pope, who admires your work.





7. You never know what Charissa Thompson will do.



6. You can freely bash "First Take."

5. You can call a college hoops game with Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery.

4. We air the Super Bowl in 2017, and you can be part of the 142 hour pregame show.

3. If Fox ever airs a 'Beverly Hills, 90210' reunion, you can host.

2. We just built a bar in our L.A. office. For real.

1. You can talk gambling with Pete Rose.

If this doesn't get Simmons to Fox, I don't know what will.

http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/bill-simmons-espn-fox-050815

 

[johnnyredstorm]

i wanna work for Fox Sports now

 

[Brownstone]

Wow, I did not know Reilly got paid like that....

The sporting press is full of free agents, but Patrick and Reilly are more intriguing than most. For one thing, ESPN will reportedly pay Reilly $17 million over five years, or roughly $50,000 per one-liner.

 

[cash money 1999]

And Grantland will fold STAT. Who the hell goes to that site for other reasons than his columns?

Lowe and Barnwell are great but they can just move their columns to the main site.

Wesley Morris is a Pulitzer winning movie critic

Steven Hyden is a phenomenal music critic

Rembert Browne is hit or miss but he's like an asset

Juliet litmen is chunky bae

Andy Greenwald/Chris Ryan I don't necessarily agree with but they're generally informed .

Chris b brown is the top football scheme guy imo

Jalen.......maybe their second biggest asset

Bill barnweell/robert mays are average but have good content

Titus is an A1 college basketball writer.

Its like louie on fx ...the ratings are horrible but you like what they do big picture for the company .

 

[pmatic]

What's next for ESPN, Bill Simmons after they split in September?

Bill Simmons has always positioned himself as an outsider. It’s an odd sentiment given he made his fame at the most established brand in sports media, but Simmons has always envisioned himself as anti-establishment, even as he built an in-house empire and became an integral part of the machine known as ESPN.

On Friday The New York Times broke the news—the more accurate description is that ESPN president John Skipper and its management team picked a great venue and a well-respected reporter to deliver the news—that ESPN would not re-sign Simmons when his contract expires in September. ESPN later released a statement to Sports Illustrated and other media outlets.

"I decided today that we are not going to renew Bill Simmons' contract,” Skipper said in the statement. “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."

Multiple calls, emails and ravens to Simmons (and his reps) had not been returned as of this writing.

The timing of the news is surprising given that Skipper has repeatedly expressed his interest in retaining Simmons, and did so again last week on a Denison University sports radio show. In September, Skipper told this to SI.com: “My interest is high in re-signing Bill. We like Bill. He has done good work for us. We continue to have a good collaboration, and I am anxious to have some discussions with Bill to see if we can continue to do things that work for ESPN.”

While the timing is surprising, it is not a shock that ESPN and Simmons are parting ways. While I think Skipper is fond of Simmons on a personal level and considers him a friend, I don't believe the frequency in which they discussed future plans is as great as the Times’s story indicates.

SI.com requested interviews with Skipper and Marie Donoghue, the company's exec vice president of global strategy and original content and the management staffer who works with Simmons on a day-to-day level at Grantland. ESPN declined those requests on Friday.

From the Simmons side: Simmons has been frustrated with parts of ESPN, including management, for some time. It’s been a slow burn, according to his friends. He was clearly dismayed by some of the projects he was involved in prior to this year, particularly on the television side. His experience on NBA Countdown was not a good one and his friends will tell you that he privately seethed last September when he was suspended by Skipper for three weeks after he called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a "liar" (among other things) on his podcast, The B.S. Report, following Goodell’s press conference Sept. 19 on the league's ongoing domestic violence issues. Of significant importance, Simmons dared ESPN management to discipline him for those comments on the same podcast.

That three-week suspension (which included two weeks without pay) was two weeks longer than what Stephen A. Smith received when, in the midst of discussing the NFL’s adjudication of Ray Rice on "First Take," he suggested that women should examine their role in provoking domestic violence incidents. Smith was ultimately suspended for a week, but that came after Smith returned to the air to apologize and followed a p.r. statement that offered "a lot of discussion and reflection on the topic" but no adjudication. Suspensions have been doled out inconsistently for years at ESPN, and the process by which they were decided was convoluted (and slow). Simmons’s suspension was the new test case for speedier suspensions and, from what I understand, Simmons was furious about discipline that he believed was far harsher than what the crime warranted.

From the ESPN side: First, finances are always at play with decisions of this magnitude. One longtime ESPN staffer said Skipper’s decision was not surprising given the economic reality of two lagging quarters for ESPN and the salary Simmons would be seeking given his market value (likely in excess of $5 million per year).

“Grantland is an artistic success, but it is not close to making money,” said the ESPN insider. “That matters now more than ever in this new reality. Tough choices. Not to mention the personal history here, and his history of not playing nice in the sandbox. Seriously, the dude is talented, and his greatest legacy will be pushing 30 for 30, but he may shortly discover the power of this brand.”

Also, former executive editor John Walsh was the biggest buffer between Simmons and Bristol-based management and has long been his principal champion and rabbi. (Walsh hired him.) Walsh’s impact had been significantly reduced the last few years and once that happened the dynamic between Simmons and those back in Bristol changed. Simmons also alienated some producers and editors who disliked working with him. “Let’s just say the mood is festive,” said one Bristol-based staffer in response to the Simmons news.

Longtime ESPN chronicler James Andrew Miller, co-author of "Those Guys Have All The Fun" called Simmons's Thursday appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, in which he ripped Goodell for his handling of Deflategate, "a tipping point" between Simmons and the company.

The fallout: Multiple sources at ESPN confirmed that there will be no changes to ESPN’s documentary series 30 for 30, for which Simmons served as an executive producer. That department continues on as is with two dozens projects in the pipeline. (The head of ESPN Films, Connor Schell, declined to comment through ESPN p.r.)

Despite going into lockdown mode today—multiple Grantland staffers who are usually accessible could not be reached for comment—the majority of the Grantland staff swear by Simmons and hold him responsible for the creative freedom and large salaries that have. ESPN says Grantland will continue on—ESPN owns it—and the company in my opinion will extend it as long as possible in part to prove that it does not need Simmons to thrive. Grantland has long been a pet project for Skipper, and he publicly supported the site on Friday. “It long ago went from being a Bill Simmons site to one that can stand on its own,” Skipper told Sandomir today, pointedly.

While Grantland can surely stand on its own with its tremendous talent, Simmons remained the site’s major attraction when it came to metrics and external sales, including through ESPN’s upfronts. Also, on Friday, Peter Kafka of re/code reported that David Cho, who has been publisher of Grantland since the start in 2011, gave his notice to ESPN last week. On the issue of whether Simmons will continue to do podcasts and the rest of his regular work at Grantland, sources told SI.com not to presume he'll be on a permanent vacation prior to the conclusion of his contract.

What’s next? That’s obvious question. One longtime agent who has worked with various networks placed Simmons potential earnings at $7-10 million per year. “Look for him owning his dot-com rights and all the content that comes with it including podcasts,” said the agent. “And a TV play such as Turner, Fox, HBO or Showtime.”

(Simmons is represented by James Dixon, whose talent roster includes Stephen Colbert, Carson Daly, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jon Stewart. Dixon will get his client money.)

The possible suitors for Simmons include other traditional media companies, such as Fox Sports where one of Simmons’ longtime friends and admirers, Jamie Horowitz, just took a job as the president of Fox Sports National Networks. Horowitz will oversee programming, marketing and scheduling for Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 and supervise management and development of original programming.

(In September 2013, Simmons told SI.com: “Fox Sports 1 talked a big game before they launched and deserved a little ribbing. Remember, they were posing for magazine covers, trying to steal ESPN people, bragging about having ‘fun’ and taking veiled shots at us. Meanwhile, the NBA previews I did with Jalen [Rose] for Grantland Channel would be their highest-rated show right now. Why are we even talking about them, Deitsch? When they can come up with a show that can out-rate me and Jalen wearing the same clothes for six straight hours on YouTube, get back to me.”)

Turner Sports has the rights to the NBA, which is Simmons’ bailiwick, and a big digital property in Bleacher Report. “It’s premature to discuss at this time,” said a Turner Sports spokesperson on Friday.

Yahoo! could also be a factor given its scope and cash flow, though the site’s sports impact has lessened with some talent departure. As Sandomir wrote, Simmons could use his high profile to start his own multimedia platform with investment from private equity.

I’ve known Simmons a long time and I imagine he won’t say much in the near-term. But rest assured, he will motivated to build something that takes on his old employer in some arena. His story at ESPN in essence ends today, but another one is just beginning.

http://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/05/08/bill-simmons-espn-part-ways

 

[sea manup]

Simmons is talented

Grant land ha been trash for years now and will crash and burn without him


Jacoby a cool dude though

 

[IATT]

FoxSports.

Top 10 reasons Bill Simmons should join Fox Sports

6. You can freely bash "First Take."

http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/bill-simmons-espn-fox-050815

please dear lord baby jesus, let this happen.. I need someone to either these dudes

and she was on the bs report:

FoxSports.

Top 10 reasons Bill Simmons should join Fox Sports


9. Have you see what we let Katie Nolan get away with?

http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/bill-simmons-espn-fox-050815

 

[shogun]

He'll fade into bolivia if he goes to fs1. They gave katie nolan a show but has she ever entertained anyone?

 

[senorroboto2k5]

Speaking of Whitlock, did anyone see the piece Deadspin did on him and his Black "Grantland" site? Oh man...DS is blocked here at work, and it's a LENGTHY read...but everything you think of Whitlock in a negative way, is probably true. His site is a trainwreck.

The article:

How Jason Whitlock is Poisoning ESPN's "Black Grantland"

Is this what we have to look forward to from ESPN now?

 

[cash money 1999]

Also , I never understood how bill got in trouble.my guy dan le batard legit GOES OFF on so many ppl at espn his radio show is GOLD

The thursdsy/friday before the mayweather/pacquiao fight they where clowning the predictions Skip Bayless and Stephen A Smith made on his radio show they had the desgraced rockets Twitter guy tweeting throughout the show the other day etc... he legit gives no dambs at all man

 

[dman14]

Also , I never understood how bill got in trouble.my guy dan le batard legit GOES OFF on so many ppl at espn his radio show is GOLD

The thursdsy/friday before the mayweather/pacquiao fight they where clowning their predictions on his radio show they had the desgraced rockets Twitter guy tweeting throughout the show the other day etc... he legit gives no dambs at all man

he went after goodell. espn is basically nfl network 2.0 with all their football programs.

 

[cash money 1999]

He'll fade into bolivia if he goes to fs1. They gave katie nolan a show but has she ever entertained anyone?

yup maybe he can get a Showtime show with an option to have his own podcast and write for the globe/times/bleacher etc

Three revenue streams +

 

[elpablo21]

 

Also , I never understood how bill got in trouble.my guy dan le batard legit GOES OFF on so many ppl at espn

his radio show is GOLD

The thursdsy/friday before the mayweather/pacquiao fight they where clowning their predictions on his radio show

they had the desgraced rockets Twitter guy tweeting throughout the show the other day etc... he legit gives no dambs at all man

he went after goodell. espn is basically nfl network 2.0 with all their football programs.

Interesting point. 

Dan ever got at the NFL on anything?

His rant on the Baltimore situation was great and surprising for an ESPN employee...his leash is definitely longer that's for sure

 

[Benny Hinn]

I hope this gets nasty. I'd love the skeletons out the ESPN closet

 

[RyGuy45]

The salary angle is an interesting one. What is $6 million to ESPN?

They hire every ex jock and coach under the sun every year and give them six figure contracts like it is going out of style yet you are going to sweat over the worth of this guy making $6 mil? Not buyin that one at all.

Probably perfect storm of both being fed up with each other and time to go different directions.

It's going to be highly entertaining to hear Simmons' take as you know it is coming down the road.

 

[coachscorner]

Simmons on Vice would be

was thinking same thing earlier 

 

[big j 33]

Yeah, I'm sure Simmons had his fair share of demands... but considering his contract wasn't even up yet, it seems clearly Skipper was just tired of dealing with Bill and wanted him go.

I can't completely blame ESPN, Simmons has his fair share of issues and at some point you don't want to worry about it anymore. On the other hand, he is a big personality who has brought positive things to your company. With that in mind, I don't think ESPN would be sweating Simmons being gone too much. Sure, he's brought them 30 for 30, Grantland, etc., but where could he really go that would hurt ESPN that badly? Obviously there are options out there, but what could really threaten ESPN?

I don't really feel bad for Bill, he's poked the bear before so it's not a surprise when they get tired of his antics. It's the price you pay sometimes for being honest. Not to mention ESPN gave him bigger exposure and a stage to do his thing... and he's done a lot of good things. I love Grantland, 30 for 30 is awesome, but I never really cared for him as a TV personality. It was a pretty mutually beneficial relationship, but I'm not shocked it ended.

I know Simmons will have his options, I wouldn't pick Bleacher Report out as his top destination, but the connection to the NBA makes sense and I'd be surprised if Simmons went somewhere without the NBA being involved. Yahoo Sports, Vox also seem like a possibility... either way, I'm sure I'll end up reading/subscribing to whenever he ends up. I'm most interested in seeing who of the Grantland staff sticks around. 

 

[antidope]

 

Speaking of Whitlock, did anyone see the piece Deadspin did on him and his Black "Grantland" site? Oh man...DS is blocked here at work, and it's a LENGTHY read...but everything you think of Whitlock in a negative way, is probably true. His site is a trainwreck.

The article:

How Jason Whitlock is Poisoning ESPN's "Black Grantland"

Is this what we have to look forward to from ESPN now?

Wow, dude set the record for being full of himself.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

you guys keep saying Bleacher Report like it holds any prestige. that place is a dump for someone of Simmons' stature.

 

[dmbrhs]

Simmons is talented

Grant land ha been trash for years now and will crash and burn without him


Jacoby a cool dude though

Grantland hasn't been around long enough to be "trash for years" lol

 

[T0INE]

Gonna miss those Grantland articles.

 

[Benny Hinn]

Dont get it twisted. 6mil is nothing to ESPN. But a good relationship with the #1 sport in America? That's worth billions. NFL is the modern day mafia.

Here's what Brian Koppelman wrote 8 months ago:
http://briankoppelman.com/2014/09/29/on-the-bill-simmons-situation/

 

[dmbrhs]

you guys keep saying Bleacher Report like it holds any prestige. that place is a dump for someone of Simmons' stature.

It's not about prestige. It's about the fact he'd be working for the parent company, Turner. That's NBA TV and TNT. Also, Bill LOVES Rachel Nichols. He's not even quietly upset that ESPN let her go. The opportunity to work with her again, and not even just on NBA projects, would be very enticing. It would also give Turner a West Coast sports presence.

The only reason people are saying Bleacher Report is because he writes about more than the NBA, so he needs to that platform. But guaranteed he'd be doing tons of NBA work on television.

 

[shogun]

Also , I never understood how bill got in trouble.my guy dan le batard legit GOES OFF on so many ppl at espn his radio show is GOLD

The thursdsy/friday before the mayweather/pacquiao fight they where clowning the predictions Skip Bayless and Stephen A Smith made on his radio show they had the desgraced rockets Twitter guy tweeting throughout the show the other day etc... he legit gives no dambs at all man

I need to start listening to his radio show. I already watch HQ religiously. Would like to hear about how other people at espn feel about those clowns on first take.

 

[shogun]

It's not about prestige. It's about the fact he'd be working for the parent company, Turner. That's NBA TV and TNT. Also, Bill LOVES Rachel Nichols. He's not even quietly upset that ESPN let her go. The opportunity to work with her again, and not even just on NBA projects, would be very enticing. It would also give Turner a West Coast sports presence.

The only reason people are saying Bleacher Report is because he writes about more than the NBA, so he needs to that platform. But guaranteed he'd be doing tons of NBA work on television.

Does he have a thing for redheads? Never heard of him being into her. I do miss the way she says "espn".