Like Robb Stark or Joffery Baratheon, another King's reign is coming to an end. (Oh, yeah, spoiler alert...My bad).
The New York Times is reporting that ESPN personality and Grantland founder Bill Simmons will not return in 2016.
BIll SImmons to leave ESPN, according to ESPN president John Skipper. "We weren't going to get to the terms," said Skipper.
— Richard Sandomir (@RichSandomir) May 8, 2015
ESPN President John Skipper released this statement about the move:
"I decided today that we are not going to renew Bill Simmons' contract. 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."
Is it just me or does he sound just a tad bit salty?
Anyway, this doesn't come as much of a surprise given the contentious relationship between the two in the past. Now it's time to start thinking about Simmons' next move. Here are six possible landing spots (from least likely to most likely) for the pop culture guru.
6. Barstool Sports
Simmons is in a similar position to Howard Stern when he left terrestrial radio back in 2005. Both were/are undisputed leaders in their respective media lanes. Stern chose to use that cache to transform Sirius satellite radio, a somewhat unknown commodity at the time, into an overnight powerhouse. Could Simmons make a similar move?
Barstool Sports is like the easy girl in high school; everyone likes it because it's fun but no one really takes it seriously. However, its "common man" tone and Boston roots fit right in with the Sports Guy's style. Simmons could establish the website as a premiere online destination for humorous pop culture content. It may not offer the wide assortment of medium options that Simmons likes to dabble in, but he would at least have complete creative freedom.
5. Vox-SB Nation
As a successful digital media company, Vox has its hands in television, online content, and radio. Specifically, SB Nation would offer Simmons the chance to continue with his humorous, off-the-cuff tone while providing him with ample outlets to express his views. And we all know Simmons likes to express his views.
But Vox wouldn't be able to provide Simmons with the same type of access he has grown accustomed to nor would his reach extend as far. Vox is estimated to have roughly 150 million total users across multiple platforms while ESPN is available in approximately 81.1 percent of households in the U.S., according to TV By The Numbers, and has roughly 80 million unique visitors per month.
We all know who wears the pants in this sports relationship.
4. Sports Illustrated
This would be the most obvious "Eff You" move to ESPN. I don't think it's going to happen, but hell hath no fury like a media member's scorn, am I right?
3. NBA TV
Simmons is a basketball guy first and foremost, so why not join a company that caters to his favorite sport? He could continue growing his television brand which, if we're being honest, he is totally in love with. Most importantly, he'll still have access to the biggest games and the biggest names in the NBA.
Sure, it may limit his column writing, but he barely writes columns anymore anyway. The Turner/Time Warner family has loads of money to further expand their endeavors into podcasts and other digital forays that Simmons loves. Can't you just see the new crop of sports documentaries now?
What if I told you that the most popular sports personality in America was too big for The World Wide Leader?
2. Bleacher Report
Another member of the Turner/Time Warner family that is flush with funding. Bleacher Report has come a long way from the fan created content it was built on back when I joined in 2008. The site now boasts video and written content as well as several respected media members across multiple sports. It may still have a stigma of "fan-driven" but Simmons would help to legitimize them with his experience and built-in fan base.
Plus, he could still indulge in his famous hypothetical cross-sport rants that he's grown so fond of. You think anyone at Bleacher Report would have the stones to tell Simmons to cut 1,000 words from his column? I don't think so.
1. NBC/Comcast
I keep bringing it up because it's true: Simmons loves TV and digital video content. How very millennial of him. NBC just so happens to have world class video production coupled with unlimited access to every major sport, especially football.
The biggest benefit of ESPN is the access they provide and the sphere of influence they operate in. He wouldn't really lose anything in those departments with this move and would likely be given the freedom to build something all his own. It wouldn't be a "sexy" decision, but it would make a lot of sense.
Bonus: Something New
Simmons doesn't need to sell himself to any organization. He has built up a unique and distinctive brand that has amassed a significant following of fans. After so many public squabbles with the ESPN overlords, does he really want to get back under the thumb of some corporate blowhard?
No. Instead, I think Simmons strikes out on his own with a new outlet that houses several different types of content. Sports and entertainment will be represented by columns and articles, digital videos and podcasts, etc. Generating funding and attracting established writers may be difficult, but Simmons' greatest strength has always been his creative, big picture thinking.
Wouldn't you check out "SportsGuy.com" to see not only an in-depth breakdown of the recent NFL Draft but also a comprehensive ranking of the best action movie stars of all time? That intersection between sports and entertainment, between insightful analysis and whacky hilarity, is where Simmons has always thrived.
Grantland was a pretty successful test run. Now it's time to see what Simmons can really build.
