196 replies to this topic

[Saturnian]

Thought this was interesting. The other day I remembered the Sports Guy Unplugged site that Bill SImmons started when he and ESPN were feuding earlier this year. I went over to the site, and was surprised to see that he had added columns in the September and October. I went to the site this afternoon, while trying to direct a friend to the site. Simmons made a post this morning, explaining that in light of all the mail he had gotten calling him lazy for not having his normal Friday NFL column, he wanted to set the record straight. Simmons says he handed in his column as usual, and on time, Thursday night, and the ESPN chose not to run it. "Those are the facts." Sounds like the reconciliation may be on the rocks...

http://sportsguy.blogspot.com/

[Rocco Graziosa]

There is no way its as simple as Bill is saying. One of the most popular writers isn't gonna hand his column in, correctly and on time, and have it simply not published. There is more to this story, and my guess is it had something to do with the content of the article.

[Papelbon's Poutine]

There is no way its as simple as Bill is saying. One of the most popular writers isn't gonna hand his column in, correctly and on time, and have it simply not published. There is more to this story, and my guess is it had something to do with the content of the article.

Wouldn't they just edit it then? Or have him rewrite certain sections?

Either way, it seems things might be headed back to where they were and I have to imagine signing Reilly might have been the final blow.

[ifmanis5]

Wondered where those picks were. Interesting photo he chose there too- that of a pissed off prisoner holding up a rock as a protest weapon.

[CzarAlexander]

Wouldn't they just edit it then? Or have him rewrite certain sections?

Either way, it seems things might be headed back to where they were and I have to imagine signing Reilly might have been the final blow.

As long as we are engaged in the entertaining sport of baseless speculation, my guess is that Simmons used some sort of political narrative or angle that his editors did not like. If one ever needs to define "passive-aggressive," a link to the introductory material in his most recent blog post will suffice nicely.

[CoolPapaBellhorn]

Wondered where those picks were. Interesting photo he chose there too- that of a pissed off prisoner holding up a rock as a protest weapon.

That's Andy Durfresne from The Shawshank Redemption (and that rock's not a weapon - he's about to use it to break into a sewage pipe that he can use as an escape route). As someone who's been reading Simmons for 9 years (wow, that's hard to believe...), that picture seems like an obviously symbolic statement to me. This probably won't end well (although they did also post his picks on his main "Sports Guy's World" page on Friday), and it'll be interesting to see if this affects the release of his new book.

EDIT: clarity

Edited by CoolPapaBellhorn, 02 November 2008 - 08:34 PM.

[ifmanis5]

I know where the picture is from and I agree, this will probably not end well.

[JimD]

Yawn. If his principles are so important to him, he should just quit. Otherwise, STFU and get back to your computer.

[Vinho Tinto]

Yawn. If his principles are so important to him, he should just quit. Otherwise, STFU and get back to your computer.

Yes, because that is what people do when they have issues at work- they just quit.

[Jeff Van GULLY]

What I have found more interesting is how ESPN handled the Obama-Simmons non-interview and then their actions with Rick Reilly since.

Edited by Jeff Van GULLY, 03 November 2008 - 09:28 AM.

[Clears Cleaver]

it amazes me that ESPN actually thinks Reilly has an audience under the age of 50

[jose melendez]

I would love for him to leave ESPN. As a free agent, he would be a much more interesting writer. People set up as blog style columnists should be free to say whatever the hell they want provided its not libelous. ESPN doesn't want him to say anything political? Give me a fucking break. Much better for him to spend his time arguing who's more now.

[SoxFanInCali]

One interesting thing, www.sportsguy.net forwards to his page on ESPN. But www.bostonsportsguy.com, which also used to forward to the ESPN page, now forwards to the blogspot page.

[The Allented Mr Ripley]

There is no way its as simple as Bill is saying. One of the most popular writers isn't gonna hand his column in, correctly and on time, and have it simply not published. There is more to this story, and my guess is it had something to do with the content of the article.

You think so, Doctor?

[JimD]

Yes, because that is what people do when they have issues at work- they just quit.

They should strongly consider doing so if they have such serious philosophical differences as seems to be the case here.

[SaveBooFerriss]

You think so, Doctor?

The only issue is whether ESPN's actions were justified. Without knowing what ESPN felt was objectionable, there is no way to answer this question.

Anyway, I think that ESPN pulling the plug on the Obama podcast was mindnumbingly stupid. And the Reilly column on Obama makes it look stupid and arbitrary.

[FortyFive]

Wow, I didn't realize they let Reilly do a piece like that on Obama - I'd be infuriated over that if I were Simmons. I would also love to see the column that the ESPN head honchos decided not to post on Friday. From what I've heard and read of people's accounts of working there, the management isn't really too swift. It either seems like they're being uber conservative with regards to his writing, or else they're just out to get him.

[PedroKsBambino]

I haven't followed this at all. What's the background---Simmons had a podcast with Obama that was pulled because ESPN thought it was too political?

[kenneycb]

I haven't followed this at all. What's the background---Simmons had a podcast with Obama that was pulled because ESPN thought it was too political?

ESPN wouldn't let him do it because they said they had a policy of not interviewing candidates until the primaries were over. The podcast got canned and then Reilly gets access to him a few weeks ago for a crappy article about him managed his salary cap fantasy FB team (very, very weak article).
Deadspin recaps it better than I do.

[Rook05]

I haven't followed this at all. What's the background---Simmons had a podcast with Obama that was pulled because ESPN thought it was too political?

Late spring/early summer, Simmons had had an Obama podcast set up but (I believe) not recorded yet. ESPN told him he couldn't do it, saying in public they didn't want to be seen as having any political affiliation. This led to a rather public spat between Simmons and ESPN just before his "sabbatical". I put that in quotes because there had been some speculation that Simmons had been suspended or that they decided to part ways for a short period of time. Deadspin has more details.

In the last couple of weeks, though, Reilly was given the greenlight to interview Obama. Speculation is that this triggered another tiff between Simmons.

And while I'm here, let me just say that Matt Berry annoys the hell out of me. Stop trying so hard to be funny!

Edit: Way too slow. I didn't even get the link in there...

Edited by Rook05, 03 November 2008 - 03:14 PM.

[EdJurak85]

Also, FWIW, I highly doubt Simmons would have talked about anything overly political with Obama. First, I heard Obama on Mike & Mike and he's way into sports and could ramble on with Simmons about football and basketball for the whole podcast. Second, Simmons isn't some dyed-in-the-wool Dem -- he hardly ever seems interested in politics, but I specifically remember him, back in his AOL days, saying he was voting for W in 2000, and being mildly disgusted.

[kenneycb]

Also, FWIW, I highly doubt Simmons would have talked about anything overly political with Obama. First, I heard Obama on Mike & Mike and he's way into sports and could ramble on with Simmons about football and basketball for the whole podcast. Second, Simmons isn't some dyed-in-the-wool Dem -- he hardly ever seems interested in politics, but I specifically remember him, back in his AOL days, saying he was voting for W in 2000, and being mildly disgusted.

IIRC he's mentioned a few times that he was a poly sci major at HC so I'd assume he has some interest in political affairs.

Edit: Wikipedia confirms it with a link to an article. Greatest website ever for college students.

Edited by kenneycb, 03 November 2008 - 03:47 PM.

[Pedro's Complaint]

They should strongly consider doing so if they have such serious philosophical differences as seems to be the case here.

I agree. What's annoying is the petulant way he's handled the editing or censorship or whatever you want to call it. We don't know what exactly his bosses are telling him, or what he agreed to, but having Simmons pout on his blog or to Deadspin seems childish. He does have options. One of them is quitting. It's not as though he wouldn't be able to write were he not employed by ESPN. Another option is waiting out his contract and keeping quiet. The option he's chosen--honoring his contract but occasionally whining--isn't especially likeable or productive.

[HomeBrew1901]

I agree. What's annoying is the petulant way he's handled the editing or censorship or whatever you want to call it. We don't know what exactly his bosses are telling him, or what he agreed to, but having Simmons pout on his blog or to Deadspin seems childish. He does have options. One of them is quitting. It's not as though he wouldn't be able to write were he not employed by ESPN. Another option is waiting out his contract and keeping quiet. The option he's chosen--honoring his contract but occasionally whining--isn't especially likeable or productive.

Sincerly, Rick Reilly

[kenneycb]

I agree. What's annoying is the petulant way he's handled the editing or censorship or whatever you want to call it. We don't know what exactly his bosses are telling him, or what he agreed to, but having Simmons pout on his blog or to Deadspin seems childish. He does have options. One of them is quitting. It's not as though he wouldn't be able to write were he not employed by ESPN. Another option is waiting out his contract and keeping quiet. The option he's chosen--honoring his contract but occasionally whining--isn't especially likeable or productive.

My guess is if he chose the resign route he'd have to sign something about not signing with a competitor for x amount of months or something of that nature. I'm guessing he'd like the steady inflow of cash especially with two young kids at home.

[Pedro's Complaint]

My guess is if he chose the resign route he'd have to sign something about not signing with a competitor for x amount of months or something of that nature.

Maybe. We don't know. What we do know is he signed--and, presumably, negotiated--a new contract with ESPN and now he's pretending he's a prisoner.

[CzarAlexander]

Also, FWIW, I highly doubt Simmons would have talked about anything overly political with Obama. First, I heard Obama on Mike & Mike and he's way into sports and could ramble on with Simmons about football and basketball for the whole podcast. Second, Simmons isn't some dyed-in-the-wool Dem -- he hardly ever seems interested in politics, but I specifically remember him, back in his AOL days, saying he was voting for W in 2000, and being mildly disgusted.

I would like to avoid tainting this thread with politics, other than encouraging everyone to vote tomorrow if you have not done so already.

But Bill has become more political in the last year for whatever reason. In addition to discussing the primaries with JackO earlier in the year on his podcast, he has dropped many clues as to his preferred candidate. Here are a few examples; I'm sure that there are more if someone really wanted to mine for them.


Simmons addresses whether the Ewing Theory applies to Iraq [ctrl+f "iraq"]

Using "Yes We Can!" during his campaign for the Bucks' GMship Mag feature.

Addresses "Women are Crazy" theory vis a vis Hillary in his mailbag

"If Barack Obama is reading this, I hope he adds the following idea to his increasingly spectacular presidential campaign: Every Super Bowl city is required to extend last call to at least 4 a.m. YES, WE CAN!"

[Infield Infidel]

But Bill has become more political in the last year for whatever reason.

I can think of one reason . . .


I wouldn't mind him going out on his own, can he really stay at ESPN forever?

[Comfortably Lomb]

They should strongly consider doing so if they have such serious philosophical differences as seems to be the case here.

Really? I mean, or he could just show up every day and try to be a persistent thorn in the side of his superiors. That's a heck of a lot more fun.

Edited by Comfortably Lomb, 03 November 2008 - 11:00 PM.

[JimD]

It's ironic that he spewed so much vitriol at Scott Boras a few weeks back - it sounds like he could have benefited himself from the services of a really good agent when he negotiated his own deal.

[moondog80]

I can think of one reason . . .
I wouldn't mind him going out on his own, can he really stay at ESPN forever?

The day he leaves ESPN is the day he falls off the map. How did Max Kellerman's new show work out?

[kenneycb]

The day he leaves ESPN is the day he falls off the map. How did Max Kellerman's new show work out?

This is like saying that when Mike and the Mad Dog split up both their radio careers would be ruined. Bill Simmons is the probably most popular writer on the most popular sports website in America. He has numerous threads here. Max Kellerman was known for Friday Night Fights, and that's about it. Simmons will still have an audience.

[SaveBooFerriss]

The day he leaves ESPN is the day he falls off the map. How did Max Kellerman's new show work out?

Outside of both being cardon based life forms, there isn't much similarity between Bill Simmons and Max Kellerman.

[thrawnqq]

I think we all love(d) Bill, because he was a hometown kid. TO be honest, I read him very little anymore, much less than pre-2004, anyway. I don't know if I would go out of my way to find his work if he left. I read him now, when I do, cuz it is anchored on the front page of ESPN. I never go to CNN or SI at all, and Yahoo sports to some degree, but not really to read columns and the writing (except for MMA).

So I do think he would suffer for leaving..

[moondog80]

This is like saying that when Mike and the Mad Dog split up both their radio careers would be ruined. Bill Simmons is the probably most popular writer on the most popular sports website in America. He has numerous threads here. Max Kellerman was known for Friday Night Fights, and that's about it. Simmons will still have an audience.

Max Kellerman had Around the Horn, left for his own show on Fox Sports or whatever, and hasn't been heard from again.

Many, many people that are habitual viewers of espn.com and read him will not follow him to another site. I'm among them.

[JimD]

Many, many people that are habitual viewers of espn.com and read him will not follow him to another site. I'm among them.

You're really confining yourself to the ghetto of online sports journalism if you don't venture out beyond ESPN.com.

For starters, you could do worse than to check out Real Clear Sports on a regular basis.

[moondog80]

You're really confining yourself to the ghetto of online sports journalism if you don't venture out beyond ESPN.com.

I'm sure that's the case, but a) old habits die hard, and b) it's an effieicnet way to look at headlines and box scores, which is mainly what I care about. The only opinions/analysis I read there is Neyer, Gammons, Law, Hollinger, and TMQ.

[bstoker7]

Max Kellerman had Around the Horn, left for his own show on Fox Sports or whatever, and hasn't been heard from again.

Kellerman is actually a boxing analyst for HBO. He also has his own radio show in New York.

Back on topic: as has been said before, walking away from ESPN when his contract expires would probably be best for Simmons' writing. Is writing what he wants more important than the potential money? Only he can answer.

[BU1995Hockey]

What was your favorite BSG column ever? Got one that stands out?

Pats/Rams Super Bowl for me

[johnmd20]

What was your favorite BSG column ever? Got one that stands out?

Outside his work during the 2004 Sox playoffs, his one after 9/11 was excellent.

[JimD]

What was your favorite BSG column ever? Got one that stands out?

The Sox-Yanks one during the 2003-04 offseason after the Schilling trade.

[HomeBrew1901]

Outside his work during the 2004 Sox playoffs, his one after 9/11 was excellent.

Definitely. His 9/11 piece (which I read about a year later) was the only time I ever sent him a quick note telling him how much I liked one of his articles.

[Haunted]

I thought his article from 2004 (I think it was called "The Deja-vu Game") is one that stands out most for me.

[ChinaCat2]

the Len Bias column was fantastic. I think that one pre-dates ESPN though, yes?

Also, the first column of his I ever read was the "Why Roger Clemens is the AntiChrist" column and it was hilarious.

[jose melendez]

The Len Bias one was the first I ever read and it was the best.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

The Len Bias piece was the best thing he's ever written IMHO. Unsurprisingly it was about basketball, which is his obvious strength. He cannot and should not write about baseball any more; it's cringeworthy when he does so.

[jtrain011]

New column up about Greg Oden, from the magazine:

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3683493

[DegenerateSoxFan]

I bet he's even more pissed about the Obama thing now. Who can blame him? He'd have had the chance to spend a half an hour or so gabbing about hoops and poker with the next president. I wonder what the real story was behind that particular kibosh? Did one or more of his company overlords have some sort of bias or fear about what might have been said? I agree with Ed Jurak; it's unlikely that they would have focused on politics. And it couldn't have been bad business for the site to let him do it. The whole thing was pretty strange.

Edited by DegenerateSoxFan, 05 November 2008 - 12:47 PM.

[johnmd20]

Definitely. His 9/11 piece (which I read about a year later) was the only time I ever sent him a quick note telling him how much I liked one of his articles.

Yeah, I sent him a note, too. I was moved. That's what happens when Bill is at his best, hist stuff is moving. The Len Bias column is incredible, too.

[weeba]

For all these BSG recommendations, can you all post links if possible when referencing the older articles?