Bill Simmons is done at ESPN. In what was always going to be the most logical conclusion after announcing the network wouldn’t renew his contract in September, the two sides have agreed to a deal where Simmons will make no more appearances on ESPN platforms. (For the record, Simmons’ picture is still on ESPN.com next to Grantland and he’s still listed as the site’s Editor-in-Chief, but one would think that won’t be the case for long.) Time will tell whether or not Simmons is let go out of his contract early or whether Bristol will fund a nice, lengthy vacation.
With Simmons permanently out of the picture, we’ve finally heard from one of his Grantland staffers about the sudden exit.
Bill Barnwell took to Twitter last night to share these thoughts in support of his former boss and how “heartbroken” he is to see him leave Grantland…
https://twitter.com/billbarnwell/status/599825263673745408
Barnwell’s essay proves that the support for Simmons among many Grantland staffers is second-to-none. That’s why many believe if Simmons develops his own independent venture, he’ll be joined by plenty of his former staff.
