Bill Simmons/Deflategate Conspiracy Theory

RPCity · May 18, 2015

If this is in the wrong spot or a duplicate I apologize, feel free to move it.

Tell me how crazy this makes me sound...

The Wells Report was officially released on May 6. ESPN announced (awkwardly) that Bill Simmons' contract would not be renewed May 8, Friday. The league announced the Pats punishment Monday May 11.

Last Friday, SI reported that ESPN and Simmons agreed that Simmons would no longer create content for the company. While not a gag order, his Twitter feed has also been incredibly quiet. I would have LOVED to read his take on all this.

With Simmons being very open about his Pats fandom and about his dislike of Goodell, is it possible that ESPN made the announcement about his contract knowing how stiff the punishment would be and wanting to take steps to silence him in advance, especially in any forum linked to them? Or was that just convenient timing?

Ross12 · May 18, 2015

I think it was more along the lines of them already most likely moving on from him, and when the Wells report dropped right before renewal time, they said "holy s***, get him off our network right now, before he starts."

tuckeverlasting · May 18, 2015

what's stopping simmons from expressing his views now ? must have a gag order.

JMC00 · May 18, 2015

Them annoucing his contract won't be renewed this early and paying him for the next 4 months absolutely has something to do with it.

I mean the NBA playoffs are on and ESPN has silenced Bill Simmons. Seems really odd.

aluminum seats · May 18, 2015

RPCity said:
Tell me how crazy this makes me sound...

It makes you sound very crazy.

Fencer · May 18, 2015

tuckeverlasting said:
what's stopping simmons from expressing his views now ? must have a gag order.

Doesn't hurt ESPN if he does it now.

Fencer · May 18, 2015

Ross12 said:
I think it was more along the lines of them already most likely moving on from him, and when the Wells report dropped right before renewal time, they said "holy s***, get him off our network right now, before he starts."

Could be.

But more generally -- if you're letting Bill Simmons go in large part because he criticizes folks you don't want criticized from your platform, then the last thing you want to do is have him around as a lame duck. The chance that he speaks his mind would be even higher than before.

DropKickFlutie · May 18, 2015

RPCity said:
If this is in the wrong spot or a duplicate I apologize, feel free to move it.

Tell me how crazy this makes me sound...

The Wells Report was officially released on May 6. ESPN announced (awkwardly) that Bill Simmons' contract would not be renewed May 8, Friday. The league announced the Pats punishment Monday May 11.

Last Friday, SI reported that ESPN and Simmons agreed that Simmons would no longer create content for the company. While not a gag order, his Twitter feed has also been incredibly quiet. I would have LOVED to read his take on all this.

With Simmons being very open about his Pats fandom and about his dislike of Goodell, is it possible that ESPN made the announcement about his contract knowing how stiff the punishment would be and wanting to take steps to silence him in advance, especially in any forum linked to them? Or was that just convenient timing?

It isn't crazy. Simmons blasted Goodell on the Dan Patrick show the day before being fired. ESPN is at the mercy of the NFL

Tony2046 · May 18, 2015

tuckeverlasting said:
what's stopping simmons from expressing his views now ? must have a gag order.

Lets hope he is putting a home run type article together and looking for the right outlet. He could give the NFL and BSPN a huge black eye in one shot. Would be nice to see.

Fencer · May 18, 2015

Tony2046 said:
Lets hope he is putting a home run type article together and looking for the right outlet. He could give the NFL and BSPN a huge black eye in one shot. Would be nice to see.

Right now he's technically on ESPN's payroll, so he's not likely to be writing for some competing outlet until his contract is over.

rochrist · May 18, 2015

Ross12 said:
I think it was more along the lines of them already most likely moving on from him, and when the Wells report dropped right before renewal time, they said "holy s***, get him off our network right now, before he starts."

Other than I think this was more a case of Simmons firing ESPN than the other way around, I agree.

Simmons doesn't need ESPN. In his time there, he created several of their most valuable properties. I'm pretty sure he can do the same thing again.

Bill Simmons/Deflategate Conspiracy Theory

RPCity

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