Bill Simmons calls out Goodell; ESPN suspends him for 3 weeks

[Teagz]

Awful Announcing:

 
On a recent podcast, Simmons let loose with a furious rant aimed at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell where he also dared anyone to silence him for calling the commish a liar:

 

I just think not enough is being made out of the fact that they knew about the tape and they knew what was on it. Goodell, if he didn’t know what was on that tape, he’s a liar. I’m just saying it. He is lying. I think that dude is lying. If you put him up on a lie detector test that guy would fail. For all these people to pretend they didn’t know is such f—— b——-. It really is — it’s such f—— b——-. And for him to go in that press conference and pretend otherwise, I was so insulted. I really was.
I really hope somebody calls me or emails me and says I’m in trouble for anything I say about Roger Goodell. Because if one person says that to me, I’m going public. You leave me alone. The commissioner’s a liar and I get to talk about that on my podcast … Please, call me and say I’m in trouble. I dare you.
 

 
The suspension is really quite stunning considering other ESPN personalities have been highly, highly critical of Goodell on Bristol airwaves.  The length is also extraordinary (consider Stephen A. Smith was suspended just one week for his incendiary comments on domestic violence).  Perhaps it was calling Goodell a liar and putting forth daming character accusations.  Perhaps it was the public flaunt of power, daring ESPN to act like a peacock unfurling its feathers.  Perhaps it was a combination of both.
 
 
This is Simmons’ third suspension at ESPN.  In 2009 he was given a two week Twitter suspension by the network for comments made towards WEEI.  In 2013, it was alesser Twitter ban for criticizing First Take.  This is no mere Twitter ban – this is a three week total suspension.  The impact across ESPN’s platforms will be huge from Grantland to the BS Report to promotion for 30 for 30.  Simmons will return from suspension in time for the debut of his Grantland Basketball Show on ESPN in late October.
 
But will he make it that far?  This high-stakes game of chicken might not be over. Simmons’ volatility as an employee is no secret and the length of suspension and show of force by ESPN may tip him over the edge.  He promised to take public any rebuke if he got in trouble over his Goodell comments.  Watch this space, because this story ain’t over.

 

[RipCity32]

Just got done listening to what he said. 
What a joke lol

 

[footballplaya52]

I love bill simmons lol though i only usually watch bill and jalen from time to time

 

[Teagz]

Funny thing is he's the guy who "writes from the fan's perspective" and when he says what every fan is thinking he get suspended. Ironic.

 

[Mobruler]

I don't think this is about anything he said about Goodell.  
 
Fact is, you can't say something and then try to insure yourself by saying, paraphrasing, "if my employer doesn't like this, then fuck them, suspend me".  What will happen 99 of 100 times is they will say, "actually, fuck you, you're suspended".

 

[Teagz]

That and the fact that he said Goodell was lying without any evidence. That's what ESPN's actual reasoning was. 
 
https://twitter.com/Ourand_SBJ/status/514923106948096000

 

[elcheato]

IT'S A WORK

 

[Pugz]

all to promote his show.

 

[Teagz]

IT'S A WORK

John Skipper: Simmons skrewed Simmons

 

[The Guid]

If anyone would try to pull a work over his listeners, it's Simmons

 

[Thomas-Panda-Saxby]

Lol what

 

[BwareDWare94]

As long as he's a halftime analyst for NBA games and the playoffs, again, I'm happy. The guy knows his shit and is just plain fun to listen to. Makes up for all the bad basketball hires ESPN has made over the years (Jalen, I'm looking at you. Magic, I'm looking at you). If they lose him, he'll just go to one of the many better sports networks that are out there, right now.
 
For the record, I don't think to watch it often enough, but I really like Fox Sports 1.

 

[elcheato]

It's not an accident he was suspended one week longer than Rice's original suspension

Think about it, Rice gets 2 games for hitting his fiance, Simmons gets 3 for comments about ESPN and Goodell. Makes Goodell look even worse

He's probably on vacation.

 

[bosoxlover12]

His NBA preview with Jalen is in a month.

 

[Hurricane Season]

It's not an accident he was suspended one week longer than Rice's original suspension

Think about it, Rice gets 2 games for hitting his fiance, Simmons gets 3 for comments about ESPN and Goodell. Makes Goodell look even worse

He's probably on vacation.

Brilliant

 

[Giantmetfan07]

"I just think not enough is being made out of the fact that they knew about the tape and they knew what was on it. "



Ummm, that's the only thing anyone has been talking about