Bill Simmons Addresses ESPN's Radio Policy, Doesn't Read Blogs

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Bill Simmons went on the Max Kellerman Show yesterday. While the talk of steroids, Lost and David Lee, was very entertaining, it was the talk about ESPN's "ESPN Radio Only" policy and blogs that caught my attention. Here's the audio....



Obviously he's right, and entitled to his opinion, but it's kind of funny to see how things have changed. Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't see how a dedicated Sports fan could do without blogs these days (plus I don't believe him). But whatever floats your boat.

Bill Simmons (ESPN Radio)
Bill Simmons: Kind Of A Drama Queen? (Fack Youk)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 11:04 AM

10 Comments:

He's said numerous times how he wanted to go on Mike and the Mad Dog but ESPN would not let him.

GMoney said...
Feb 24, 2009, 11:47:00 AM  

Doesn't read blogs, huh?

In this case, I don't think B.S. stands for Bill Simmons. It's very likely that some of his column ideas are coming from "the blogs he's not reading."

That said, I still enjoy Boston Bill's work...

Faux Twitter said...
Feb 24, 2009, 12:08:00 PM  

Wasn't Berman on NFL-N in the week leading to the Super Bowl?

So, is the policy "No ESPN personalities on media outside of the company" or "No ESPN personalities on media outside of the company, unless we are looking to curry favor, and they agree to be nice to us"?

Feb 24, 2009, 12:16:00 PM  

I like Simmons but it's more and more obvious that he's trying to get ESPN to let him out of his contract before it's over next year. (Which they won't do given he drives more traffic than anyone at the dot com).

As for Berman going on NFL-N, he is probably the exception given the power he wields at the WWL.

The Hey said...
Feb 24, 2009, 12:27:00 PM  

I think that is just a rule for Simmons. Because I hered Berman on a non-ESPN radio station in San Fracisco last week.

49er16 said...
Feb 24, 2009, 12:38:00 PM  

Im pretty sure it may be just a rule in NYC since the ESPN radio station in New York gets crushed by WFAN.

Does every city have an official ESPN radio station? Maybe in San Fran, there isn't, so Berman could do another show?

There's also the issue that Francesa and WFAN offered Simmons Mad Dog's old spot.

Sean OLeary said...
Feb 24, 2009, 2:31:00 PM  

This is all fine and great for Simmons to express how he feels, and i certainly agree with him about the ESPN Radio policy, but where will his career go if and when either he leaves or ESPN let's him go?

I'm always intrigued by where he would go.

bk said...
Feb 24, 2009, 2:35:00 PM  

ESPN is a non-democratic entity; thus their slaves, er, employees have no rights.

UnHoly Diver said...
Feb 24, 2009, 4:02:00 PM  

As perhaps discussed here before, since I just explained this to someone else:

My understanding (from "sources") is that ESPN talent cannot go on sports talk radio in markets where there is an ESPN sports radio station.

Thus, Simmons could go on Adam's morning show (or on Stern, for example) since Adam's show was not sports talk radio. But he cannot go on what used to be Mike and the Mad Dog since WFAN competes with ESPN 1050.

When Tony Kornheiser had his Washington Post radio show, he had to receive special permission to have ESPN guests on his show. But Tony is also an ESPN employee and part of the network's biggest program (MNF).

There also appears to be an exemption for SIRIUS, as Chris Russo and shows on his channel can have ESPN guests.

mark coale said...
Feb 24, 2009, 7:13:00 PM  

Blogs suck...but read our new blogs!

That's the basic message from MSM these days. Whatever.

The Zoner said...
Feb 25, 2009, 10:06:00 AM  

Post a Comment