After 14 years with the World Wide Leader in sports, Bill Simmons is leaving ESPN behind for unknown pastures.
The famous writer/editor, whose style combines an everyguy, watercooler cadence laced with a bevy of popular culture references, had spent the past five years in charge of the subsidiary website Grantland.com.
“I decided today that we are not going to renew Bill Simmons’ contract,” said ESPN president John Skipper in a 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.”
Simmons was one of the site’s most profitable and high-profile writers, but also one of its most irascible. He was suspended by the site on numerous occasions in his long tenure year, most recently last autumn for his pointed criticism of Roger Goodell’s handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence investigation.
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