Bill Simmons’ popularity has skyrocketed since starting as a columnist on ESPN’s “Page 2”over 15 years ago. In that time he’s been promoted several different times and has occupied various roles and titles increasing with prestige every step of the way.
It took me some time to warm up to his style and unique slant on sports and pop culture. I thought his columns were just too long. So I decided to make this one long in his honor. Even Simmons is self-aware of the flak he catches for this tendency, once saying in a podcast, “I can’t even burp in 850 words.” This writing style he’s inherited has helped build his brand and he’s never wavered from it. When he chooses to cover any given topic he’s going to tell everything there is to know about it. His podcasts, the “B.S. Report” and “Bill Don’t Lie,” his Book of Basketball (752 pages), along with a vast archive of columns on Grantland.com showcase his ability to argue all things basketball exhaustively, to think analytically and critically as well as his enthusiastic interest and excitement for sports.
On May 8th, 2015 ESPN President, John Skipper announced that Bill Simmons’ contract, which was coming to a close at the end of September, would not be renewed. Skipper’s announcement not so coincidentally came on the heels of Bill harshly criticizing NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, for the second time in under a year. Simmons’ brash comments undoubtedly sealed his fate with the network. Skipper cited money as a significant factor in determining to part ways with Simmons, but there’s no obscuring the fact this was a firing, fast-tracking his removal from Grantland, where he stood as editor-in-chief and immediately suspended Simmons’s involvement from all ESPN media assets.
His firing, just merely four weeks into the playoffs, couldn’t have come at a worse time for NBA fans. I was looking forward to his analysis during this period as well as the NBA Draft. Simmons has 4.5 million Twitter followers and from his first episode in June of 2007 he’s pioneered and perfected the art of podcasting. He’s cultivated a very loyal support network due to his style and scope of coverage. His unfiltered opinions on players, coaches, team dynamics and fanbases is compelling and informative. For instance, take a team like the Los Angeles Clippers, which anyone residing outside of Los Angeles may know very little about. Simmons lives in LA and regularly sits courtside for their games. On his podcast he describes the whining and pretentious attitude of their fans being directly inherited from the pre-madonna “ish” ways of their leader, Chris Paul and the rest of the team. In one episode he declared that every team in the NBA hates the Clippers and is sick of Chris Paul’s act. I genuinely laughed out loud. Very rare is it that sports journalists are brave enough to make such a bold statement. Simmons’ energy is a breath of fresh air compared to the style of popular sports personalities such as “Mike & Mike”, who merely read the previous day’s headlines and offer a Disney slant that’s minimal, conservative and fairytale like.
Simmons offers as legitimate, genuine, and introspective lens on sports as any journalist out there. I tune into his podcast to be entertained and to glean information about the landscape of the NBA that I wouldn’t get from following other sportscasters. In another episode on his podcast he shared the story of his interesting career path and the steps that led him to ESPN. From the beginning his vision was to take the popular sports topics nationally and involve a cultural element to the story. Simmons’ involvement with “30 For 30” and Grantland are both shaped by a similar style of journalistic creed that he’s adopted. At Grantland there’s a roster of talented columnists that cover topics across professional sports, film and culture. I recommend the BS Report episode where the extremely talented Grantland contributor, author and pop culture essayist, Chuck Klosterman joins Bill to talk about the Ohio State Buckeyes football team (fresh off their national championship win) and Leonardo Dicaprio’s life. Chuck was an arts critic for the Akron Beacon Journal in a prior role along with also having worked at the NY Times and Esquire. He had the distinction of narrating and interviewing James Murphy, front man of LCD Soundsystem, on Shut Up and Play the Hits, an excellent documentary about the popular music group’s last show ever at MSG.
Similarly the genius with “30 For 30,” is hinged on the element of culture and its seamless integration to producing and telling some of the most popular sports stories historically in a dramatic format. “You Don’t Know Bo”, which is my favorite from the catalog, is not only a great film because it tells the story and rise to stardom for the rarest of two sports athletes ever, but does so with a thorough focus on the generation who witnessed his uprising. One gets a good sense of his following and the cultural significance he created from the film’s incorporation of the pop culture which coincided with the Bo Jackson era.
ESPN has experienced noticeable turnover with their rebellious and outspoken sports personalities. Jim Rome, host of popular sports talk radio show The Jungle left ESPN in 2012 after the 8-year run of his tv show Rome is Burning was discontinued. In July they parted ways with Colin Cowherd and Keith Olbermann. June marked the talented sportswriter Jason Whitlock being demoted and disallowed access from “The Undefeated” ESPN platform that he helped build. He’s still with the network, but only occupies a couple weekday slots as co-host of “Pardon the Interruption”.
Simmons definitely made ESPN a better network during his 15 year run. Recently HBO signed Simmons to a contract that begins in October, which will involve his appearing on a variety of their media outlets. I’m excited to see the empowered and unfettered platform they will provide him. There has to be a large group of devoted fans such as myself who will be taking their loyalty, readership and interest to HBO.
Hey Roger, Nice post!
Incredible a lot of valuable data!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
canada drugs online
buy drugs online
canada drugs
You said it perfectly.!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
pharmacy without dr prescriptions
trust pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacy reviews
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
You actually stated this fantastically.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
reputable canadian mail order pharmacies
canada drugs
canadian pharmacy viagra
canada pharmaceuticals online
Awesome forum posts. Many thanks.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian viagra
canadian pharcharmy
online rx pharmacy
canadian pharmaceuticals online
You actually mentioned it perfectly!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
drug price
canadian pharmacies online
safeway pharmacy
canadian online pharmacy
You said it very well..
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
canadian pharmacy without prescription
canadian viagra
cialis canadian pharmacy
canadian pharcharmy
This is nicely expressed! .
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
pharmacy without dr prescriptions
canadian cialis
buy drugs online
canadian online pharmacies
You made the point.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canadian pharmacy 365
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
canada meds
canadian viagra
Cheers. I enjoy it!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
prescription prices comparison
canadian cialis
online pharmacy without prescription
northwest pharmacy
You actually mentioned this wonderfully!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
pharmacy near me
online pharmacies of canada
canada pharmacies prescription drugs
top rated canadian pharmacies online
Very good facts. Regards.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
us pharmacy no prior prescription
canadian pharmacy
canadian mail order pharmacies
global pharmacy canada
Nicely put. Kudos!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian drugstore reviews
canada pharmacy online
discount prescription drug
north west pharmacy canada
Thanks a lot! Great stuff.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
mail order pharmacies
canadian pharmacy
prescription pricing
canadian pharmacies-24h
Terrific facts. Cheers.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
online pharmacy without a prescription
global pharmacy canada
pharmacy near me
northwestpharmacy
Very good facts. Kudos.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canada pharmacy no prescription
canada pharmacy online
price prescription drugs
canadianpharmacy
Nicely put. Appreciate it.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
approved canadian pharmacies online
online pharmacies canada
top rated online canadian pharmacies
canadian pharmacy online
Thank you, Lots of postings!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
buying drugs canada
canadian pharmacies-24h
best online pharmacy stores
canada drug
You actually suggested that well.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canada pharmacy no prescription
canada pharmacy online
buying prescription drugs canada
canadian online pharmacies
Well expressed of course! !
https://www.lunarciel.com/
prescription drugs without prior prescription
canada online pharmacies
canada pharmacy online orders
canadian online pharmacy
Nicely put. With thanks!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
drug prices comparison
canada pharmacy
get prescription online
north west pharmacy canada
With thanks, Lots of knowledge!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian mail order pharmacies
canadian pharmacy online
top rated online canadian pharmacies
canada online pharmacies
This is nicely said. !
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
prescription prices comparison
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
pharmacy price comparison
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Terrific tips. Many thanks!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian pharmacies that are legit
canada drugs
prescription cost
canadian viagra
Thanks! An abundance of facts.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
drugs from canada
canada drugs
canadapharmacyonline.com
canada online pharmacies
Amazing facts. With thanks.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
top rated online canadian pharmacies
london drugs canada
canadian online pharmacy
canada drugs online
Nicely put, Appreciate it!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canadian pharmacies top best
trust pharmacy canada
prescription drugs prices
canadian pharmacy
You explained it terrifically!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
no prescription online pharmacy
canadian online pharmacies
buying drugs canada
trust pharmacy canada
Thanks a lot! I value this.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canada pharmacies without script
northwestpharmacy
online drugstore
online pharmacies of canada
You made your stand very well!.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
pharmacy online
london drugs canada
best online international pharmacies
online pharmacies of canada
Truly tons of helpful information.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian pharma companies
canada pharmacy
mexican online pharmacies
canadian online pharmacy
This is nicely put! .
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian pharmacies shipping to usa
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
prescription pricing
london drugs canada
Nicely put. Thanks a lot!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
online canadian pharcharmy
canadian viagra
online rx pharmacy
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
Nicely put, Appreciate it!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
prescription without a doctor’s prescription
canadian pharmacies-24h
canada drugs online
canada drugs online
You mentioned it effectively.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
visit poster’s website
global pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacy without prescription
canada pharmaceuticals online
Nicely put, Thanks.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
best online pharmacies no prescription
canada pharmacy online
pharmacy prices
canadian online pharmacy
Whoa loads of fantastic knowledge.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
pharmacy online
canadian cialis
legitimate canadian mail order pharmacies
canada drug
With thanks. Useful stuff.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
pharmacy drug store
top rated canadian pharmacies online
prescription cost
northwest pharmacy
With thanks! Loads of stuff!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
pharmacy online mexico
north west pharmacy canada
canada online pharmacies
global pharmacy canada
This is nicely expressed. .
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian pharmacy viagra brand
canadian pharmacies online
canada pharmacy online
london drugs canada
Superb data, Cheers.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
north west pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacies that are legit
canadian pharmacy
Incredible quite a lot of terrific advice.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
legitimate online pharmacies
canadian pharmacy online
canadian pharcharmy online
canadian pharcharmy
Terrific write ups. Cheers.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
canadian family pharmacy
canadian pharmaceuticals online
onlinecanadianpharmacy.com
canada online pharmacies
Fine content. Regards.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
pharmacy online store
global pharmacy canada
northwestpharmacy
canadian pharmacy online
Terrific content. Thanks!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
best canadian pharmacies
canada pharmaceuticals online
canadian pharmacies shipping to usa
canadian online pharmacy
Thanks a lot! Fantastic stuff.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
prescription cost comparison
canada pharmacy
discount prescription drug
canada drugs
Thank you, A lot of write ups!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
drugstore online
canadian online pharmacy
price prescription drugs
canada pharmacy online
You said it nicely..
https://www.lunarciel.com/
no prescription online pharmacy
canadian drugs
online pharmacy without a prescription
canadian drugs
Beneficial posts. Regards!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
prescription cost
canadian pharmacies
online pharmacy usa
canadian pharmacy
Nicely put. Cheers!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
pharmacies in canada
online pharmacies of canada
cialis canadian pharmacy
canadian pharcharmy
Thanks. A lot of posts!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
no prior prescription required pharmacy
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
drug price
canadian viagra
Awesome stuff. Kudos!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
approved canadian pharmacies online
canadian pharmacies online
canada pharmacies online pharmacy
canadian online pharmacy
This is nicely expressed. !
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian pharmacy king
london drugs canada
drugs online
canadian online pharmacy
Well spoken certainly. !
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
top rated canadian pharmacies online
canada online pharmacies
pharmacy without dr prescriptions
north west pharmacy canada
You stated that superbly.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
price prescription drugs
global pharmacy canada
trust pharmacy canada
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
You actually stated this fantastically.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
buy online prescription drugs
canada pharmacy
canadian pharmacy meds
northwest pharmacy
Thanks a lot. Quite a lot of information!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
rx online
canada pharmacy online
24 hour pharmacy
top rated canadian pharmacies online
You said this effectively!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
cheap prescription drugs
canadian pharmacy online
cheap drugs online
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
Kudos. Quite a lot of information.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
discount pharmacy online
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
pharmacy online store
canadian pharmacies online
Whoa all kinds of very good tips!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
prescription prices comparison
northwest pharmacy
Whoa quite a lot of valuable tips.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
canadian pharmacy online
canada drugs
canadian pharmacy 365
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
This is nicely expressed. .
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
best online pharmacies canada
canadian pharmacy online
best canadian online pharmacy
canadian viagra
Truly tons of wonderful advice!
https://nicktambone.com/
canada pharmacies online pharmacy
canada pharmacy
canadian pharmacies online
canadian pharmacies
Fine material. With thanks.
https://nicktambone.com/
mail order pharmacies
global pharmacy canada
reputable canadian mail order pharmacies
north west pharmacy canada
You made your position very clearly!.
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
drugs for sale
canada drugs online
drug costs
canadian pharmacies online
Thank you, Valuable information!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
best price prescription drugs
canadian online pharmacies
canada pharmacy online no script
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
Reliable content. Regards!
http://talahicc.com/
pharmacies in canada
canada pharmacy online
cheap drugs online
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Amazing material. Kudos.
https://nicktambone.com/
online pharmacy no prescription needed
canada pharmacy
overseas pharmacy forum
canadianpharmacy
Very good facts, Regards.
http://talahicc.com/
buying drugs canada
canadian pharmaceuticals online
canadian pharmacy meds
canadian pharmacy
Regards. Plenty of advice.
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
prescription drug cost
canada pharmaceuticals online
pharmacies near me
trust pharmacy canada