Since Bill Simmons’ contract with ESPN doesn’t end until September, most of his readers thought there would be some word from the influential sports journalist who is known for not keeping his opinions to himself. But he has been oddly silent and won’t get a proper send-off from ESPN.
Sports Illustrated reported today that Simmons won’t even get to write a goodbye column on Grantland, the ESPN blog he started. According to SI, Simmons already sent an email to Grantland writers, noting that he won’t be writing another column.
ESPN wouldn’t comment and Simmons has declined to do interviews since last week.
ESPN announced last week that it would not renew Simmons contract, even though he is one of the most famous names in sports journalism today. The reasons for the departure are up for debate, especially since there’s no reason why ESPN couldn’t pay him. And in addition to his appearances on ESPN and his writing on Grantland, he played a major role in the 30 For 30 documentaries.
Simmons did often clash with ESPN brass, most notably last fall when he called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a “liar” on his B.S. Report podcast, which earned him a suspension.
Since the news, the Boston-area native has only tweeted videos form the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX victory. On Wednesday, he also tweeted “Truth” and nothing else.
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screenshot from Grantland YouTube Video