Man, of all of the slip up you could have on Martin Luther King Day, this one has to be the worst. Mike Greenberg was bringing the M&M show back from one of their thousand commercials yesterday, when this happened....

Yep, he most definitely said "Martin Luther Coon Day", and now he's trying to 'splain himself as best he can. His statement via ESPN....

I just came home from the Knicks game and found out about the mess that was created by my garbling a sentence on our show this morning; I apologize for not addressing it sooner.

And I'm sorry that my talking too fast — and slurring my words — might have given people who don't know our show the wrong impression about us, and about me.

I feel horrible about that, because nothing could be further away from who I am and what our show is about.

I would never say anything like that, not in public, or in private, or in the silence of my own mind, and neither would anyone associated with our show, and I'm very sorry that my stumble this morning gave so many people the opposite impression.

I think it's fairly obvious that it was a slip of the tongue, and unintentional, but the what, how and when are just mind boggling.

(Via Black Sports Online)

Mike and Mike were at the Metrodome yesterday to film that cute Miller Lite commercial you saw last night and to do their radio show. The Star Tribune decided to interview the duo early in the morning, and not only did we learn that Greenberg wants to be in "Guys and Dolls", but that Golic likes the gossip mags....

Their boss, Scott Shapiro, ESPN radio program director and a Minnesotan who claims to have been reading this column since he was 5, kindly introduced me as the "mega popular gossip columnist," and I was aces with Golic.

"That means you read all the same magazines as I do," said the former NFL defensive lineman. "The last thing I heard now, the Khloe and Lamar Odom wedding didn't really go official because they are waiting for the pre-nup to be signed. ... Sounds like it's over [at Brangelina's]. A little bird tells me that Brad [Pitt] is off living on his own, getting back into that life again but still wants to be a dad to those kids [he's got with Angelina Jolie]."

Just as I wrapped my mind around how well I was bonding with Golic, he surprised me with this riff: "I tell you, the one that I'm really worried about -- Jennifer Aniston. What is going on with her? It's unbelievable. I'm starting to think that maybe it's more her than anybody else."

I think Aniston hops into bed too quickly, but I told Golic I thought she was a little needy. "There you go. I'm with you," Golic said. "Are you kidding me! I know all this stuff."

Well that's good to know, I guess. And here I was thinking that two radio hosts needed to know more about Sports than Broadway and the Kardashians. Shame on me.

ESPN's Mike Golic struts his Hollywood gossip stuff (Star Tribune)

There are regular random athletes that come in to co-host with either Greenberg or Golic, but there's also the occasional completely off-the-wall hosts that come in as well. Next Wednesday, THE Dennis Leary will be filling in for Mike Golic on the radio program. Via ESPN PR....

Five-time Emmy Award-nominated comedian/actor Denis Leary will co-host all four hours of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET, M-F) on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The show is simulcast on ESPN2 and streamed live on ESPNRadio.com. Leary, a big sports fan who says ice hockey is his favorite sport and the Boston Bruins are his favorite team, will join Mike Greenberg in ESPN Radio’s studios in Bristol, Conn. Leary, also a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, will be subbing for co-host Mike Golic.

While, I know that Leary is a huge Sports fan, and I haven't watched M&M in months so I don't know how often this has been happening, but this does seem a little out of left field. Oh well, whatever brings in the ratings.

Mike and Mike have some promotions coming up that I wanted to point, and while I know most are stunts to gain viewers, a couple are actually pretty cool. The first being their yearly auction of themselves for the Jimmy V Foundation. Yes, you can bid on having the duo come to your house (basement if you're a blogger), and broadcast live! Last year's broadcasts was pretty fun, and of course, it goes to a good cause.

The second idea, is a little goofy, but the guests they have lined up are amazing. Mike and Mike will be going 80s for a day, and will feature interviews with the likes of Joe Montana, Larry Bird and Brett Michaels. Yes, Brett Michaels from Poison....

In the middle of the ‘80’s, Mike Golic was drafted into the NFL while Mike Greenberg was graduating high school. On Tuesday, July 7, ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET M-F, simulcast on ESPN2) will celebrate that decade with a special “80’s Day” broadcast.

Guests will include former athletes including Larry Bird, Joe Montana, Bears QB Jim “Super Bowl Shuffle” McMahon, Dodgers OF Kirk Gibson, 49ers Hall-of-Fame WR Jerry Rice, Mike “Do you believe in miracles?” Eruzione, and Bret Michaels from the band Poison.

While it wasn’t that Kenny Rogers who sang “Lady” in 1981, “Ghostbusters” wasn’t about the 2004 Red Sox, and “9 to 5” was in theatres 29 years before Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness at those odds, the ‘80’s are still close to the hearts of Greeny & Golic, who will don 80’s apparel for the occasion.

Mike & Mike’s ‘80’s Day’ show will feature:

- ‘80’s-related guests
- ‘80’s-related topics (Miracle on Ice, ’86 World Series Game 6, Celtics-Lakers, Giants-49ers, Everett-Navratilova, sports movies, and “Hello To” USA Today, sports talk radio and NFL instant replay)
- Tri-hourly updates will look back at plays of the decade
- ‘80’s-style graphics on ESPN2 simulcast
- ‘80’s-related poll questions on ESPNRadio.com (voting taking place now)
- ‘80’s biggest scandals
- ‘80’s biggest flops

Themed radio shows can get a little lame, but I think with those interviews filling the spots in between the cheesiness, it will leave no time for Greeny and Golic to mess it up. Please to be wearing Bugle Boy jeans and/or any article of clothing from Body Glove.

I thought about a title that highlighted the more exciting parts of the Roger Clemens interview today on Mike & Mike, but alas....there was nothing exciting about it. The only exciting part came in the first thirty seconds of the conversation when Roger was interrupted by his kids. Here's that, some audio and some quotes if you care....

"That’s exactly right. He’s never injected me with HGH or steroids. You know guys, let me just add to it. Common sense…our family has a history of heart conditions. My brother had a heart attack in his late 40’s, my step-dad died of a heart attack. I mean it would be suicidal for me to think about even taking any of these dangerous drugs. It goes against what I talk about to kids (when I have a chance to talk to kids) of all ages about it. It’s really disheartening. I don’t want to say I have to put my guard up more around people because I’m not that type of person…I’m an outgoing person.”

"I appreciate the time I have to come on and talk about this book and tell you my feelings about it. I think I’ve taken some criticism by not coming out at times, that’s another reason why it’s great having Gene aboard because I’ve always wanted to talk about it and tell people my feelings and my stance on it.”

I don't know why I thought that was going to be anything exciting. Clemens is the worst interview subject ever, but at least Mike and Mike asked the tough questions, which is something you can't often say about them. Too bad Roger didn't want to answer any of them.

Much Ado About Nothing, Clemens Speaks Without Saying Anything (Sports Radio Interviews)

There are certainly other interviews, I think people would care about seeing more than Roger Clemens at the present time (i.e.- Manny), but having Clemens on for his first talk since January is a pretty big get. The former MLB pitcher will be on Mike & Mike tomorrow morning at approximately 8:25am. Here is the shortest press release in history via ESPN PR....

Former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens is scheduled to join co-hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning tomorrow (Tuesday), May 12, at 8:25 a.m. ET. The interview will be on the show’s simulcast on ESPN2.

I wish they had said what he was promoting, because there's no way he's going on there without an agenda. I'll try to catch it tomorrow, and have video up if anything interesting is said.

This is a terribly horrible idea, but apparently Mike Golic will be getting waxed on-air to pay back a bet. Every year, Mike and Mike make a bet on who will have the better NCAA Tourney bracket (last year Greenberg had to milk a cow), and that's the payment for this year's loss. Via ESPN....

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning co-host Mike Golic lost the “Bracket Wager” challenge to co-host Mike Greenberg and now must pay the price. Listeners voted and Golic will get waxed live during the show on Wednesday, April 29, at 8:10 a.m. The waxing can be heard on ESPN Radio and seen on the ESPN2 simulcast.

“I really have no idea what to expect with the waxing, this is really more of Greeny's world than mine,” Golic says. “I expect this to be the only waxing of my life, yet I do expect to scream.”

Greenberg says, “Mike Golic being waxed live on the air may represent a new low, not just for him, or for Mike and Mike, but perhaps for the medium. This may be the low water mark in the history of radio. I fear Marconi is spinning in his grave.”

If anyone has Howard Stern On Demand, check out "Richard Getting Waxed", just to see how painful the process is. It makes for hilarious radio though, and I'll be sure to have some of the clips for you tomorrow.

It's never a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you, but that's exactly what Mike Golic did yesterday. Mike Greenberg and Golic were in New York for Letterman, and TMZ caught the two coming out of their cab before the show. In the impromptu interview, a girl asks Golic about the food he's a spokesman for, and the former lineman states that it's good, but some is awful....

I'm sure Nutrisystem isn't happy that about a million people will see that video this afternoon. My favorite part of that whole video is when the chick says, "Who is that? Is that somebody famous?" Obviously she could have been talking about the two High School Musicals characters the two Mikes used in their lame joke getting out of the limo, but I'm pretending it was for them.

Golic Bites The Hand That Poorly Feeds Him (TMZ)

Man, it took long enough right? You would have that after two appearance or so last season, that the General would have let out a curse or two, but alas we had to wait until now. Knight was trying to link up with Mike and Mike this morning and after thinking he was cut of, had this to say. Via Fanhouse....

On Wednesday's Mike and Mike in the Morning, Knight called in (on the Subway hotline, as the sponsor-heavy show calls it) to talk some college basketball. Things were going fine until a moment during the show when Knight suddenly seemed to think he had been cut off and said, "Oh, s**t. I lost you."

With that, Knight hung up his phone, while co-host Mike Greenberg scrambled to try to get him back on topic, saying, "No, we got it. Bob Knight, we're still there, we hear you. Bob, do you hear us? I think Bob Knight may have just lost us there, so we'll try and get him back here. I was able to hear him."

So was everyone else.

Hilarious! I haven't heard the audio yet (trust me I'm looking), but I can just hear the panic in Greenberg's voice already. Too funny.

ESPN's Bob Knight Swears On The Air (Fanhouse)

ESPN Radio has been poking and prodding its way into a ton of local radio markets over the past few years, and now that they've developed somewhat of a stronghold, it appears it might come at a cost. Sports by Brooks is reporting, that Top 30 markets featuring ESPN's shows might soon have to be upwards of $100K for rights....

A source told me that ESPN is planning to charge some non-ESPN owned and operated sports radio stations fees to carry its radio network programming. For big markets (Top 30), the annual charge to stations is as high as $100,000.

Even in good economical times, that move is a serious horse pill to ingest for local sports talk radio stations.

My reaction, as a former sports radio program director and on-air personality for 16 years (including on ESPN radio affiliates), is that very, very few (if any) Top 30 markets would pay a six-figure sum to air ESPN network programming.

Most, if not all of those stations make their money on local sports talk shows and play-by-play ad sales. Revenue from ESPN’s national properties is usually negligible - as most of its shows have struggled in the ratings against large market, local shows. (I know, not in every case.) Perhaps local stations could make money on ESPN Radio’s play-by-play properties, but not enough to make up that $100K rights fee in any scenario.

Whether or not ESPN actually IS going to ask for that kind of money is really irrelevant. The $100K gives local stations something that their own programming doesn't, and that's the simple business model of "out sourcing". Obviously there are a lot of other factors that go into rights deals like this, but in the end, $100K might be a small price to pay instead of the headache that comes with managing talent and programming on a day-to-day basis. Still though, local hosts make a heck of a lot less than $100K, so for a lot of markets it probably wouldn't make sense.

ESPN Radio is definitely not a market standard, but their current business model definitely could make sense on a case-by-case basis.

ESPN Radio Wants $100,000 From Local Affiliates (Sports by Brooks)

Well this certainly comes as a shock. The Max Kellerman Show, which airs on ESPN 1050 in NYC, has been dropped by the network today. A reason for the move wasn't really given, but both parties had this to say....

1050 ESPN Radio and on-air host Max Kellerman have mutually agreed to end their relationship. Kellerman's final broadcast for the station was yesterday (March 9), 10AM - 1PM.

Tim McCarthy, the station's President and General Manager said: "Max is a highly articulate and passionate sports talk host and he brought a unique voice to our talent lineup. We wish him nothing but the best in all of his future endeavors."

Kellerman added: "I had some great times at 1050. I appreciate everything Tim McCarthy, Aaron Spielberg, and everyone there have done for me over the years."

Until a full-time replacement is selected, 1050's evening host, Brandon Tierney, will host the weekday 10AM - 1PM slot.

Well I guess it's good that Bill Simmons got on there while he could then, right? In all seriousness, this comes on the heels of Colin Cowherd now being aired in the Big Apple on 1050. While that might not be the exact reason, it most certainly played a part because Kellerman's show was bumped down from three hours to two, and then was ultimately bumped off the air.

Thank goodness for Kellerman's back up gigs in Boxing, because he just can't keep a job with ESPN.

Update: The latest rumor that we're hearing out of NYC, is that Kellerman might have something lined up with WFAN to join Mike Francesa. Seems like an odd pairing, but they've been looking for a partner to work with Francesa for awhile now. I'll keep prying.

1050 And Host Max Kellerman Mutually Agree To Part (ESPN Radio)
No More Kellerman? Um, What? (Fack Youk)

I've grown tired of Mike & Mike's stunts in an attempt to get viewers, but this one actually caught my attention. Mike Greenberg is bringing in longtime trainer and ESPN Boxing analyst, Teddy Atlas, for a one-day crash course on the Sport. This of course will televised on the M&M simulcast, and will certainly be good for some few laughs. Via ESPN PR....

ESPN's Mike Greenberg has incorporated boxing into his work-out regime, and Teddy Atlas has made boxing his life. The two will meet at ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., “Wellness Center,” and the co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning will find out what the sport is all about from the renowned trainer and ESPN boxing analyst.

On Friday, March 6, at 7:40 a.m., Atlas will join Greenberg and co-host Mike Golic in studio to appraise “Greeny’s” pugilistic propensity, with fans able to see for themselves on the ESPN2 simulcast and ESPNRadio.com. Video of Greenberg's gym session (taped today, Wed., March 4) will also run during ESPN2 Friday Night Fights (8:30 p.m.).

Everyone pokes fun at the "metrosexual" nature of Greenberg, but I'm going to pass on that because it's too easy. Good for him trying something new, and hopefully he doesn't mess up the manicure he's scheduled to get the day before.

Dammit....I knew I couldn't pull it off.

For over a year now, a ton of you have begged me for a radio version of the announcing schedule, and thanks to some help from Westwood One....I've come up with one for you to check out. Here are the radio listings for both ESPN Radio and Westwood for Championship Week....

Sunday, March 8th

MVC Championship (Westwood One, 1:45pm)- Kevin Kugler, Reid Gettys

Monday, March 9th

CAA Championship (Westwood One, 6:45pm)- Tom McCarthy, Kevin Grevey
WCC Championship (Westwood One, 8:45pm)- Dave Sims, PJ Carlesimo

Tuesday, March 10th

Horizon League Championship (Westwood One, 8:45pm)- Mark Champion, Pete Gillen

Wednesday, March 11th

Big 12 Conference Semifinal #1 (ESPN Radio, 7pm)- Marc Kestecher, Will Perdue
Pac Ten Semifinals (Westwood One, 8:45pm)- Kevin Kugler, Bill Frieder
Big 12 Conference Semifinal #2 (ESPN Radio, 9:30pm)- Marc Kestecher, Will Perdue

Thursday, March 12th

CUSA Championship (Westwood One, 11:15am)- Marc Vandermeer, Pete Gillen
SEC Semifinals (Westwood One, 12:45am)- Ian Eagle, Kevin Grevey
Big Ten Semifinals (Westwood One, 1:15pm)- Wayne Larrivee, PJ Carlesimo
Pac Ten Championship (Westwood One, 5:45pm)- Kevin Kugler, Bill Frieder

Friday, March 13th

SEC Championship (Westwood One, 12:45pm)- Ian Eagle, Kevin Grevey
Big Ten Championship (Westwood One, 3:15pm)- Wayne Larrivee, PJ Carlesimo
Big 12 Conference Championship (ESPN Radio, 6pm)- Marc Kestecher, Will Perdue

He's not really breaking any new ground there, but apparently one of Mike and Mike's regular guests actually think their show is the stupidest show he's ever been on. That guest was ESPN's own Tim Kurkjian, who was "On The DL" with Dan Levy today, but there's a bit of a twist within the quote. He actually meant it in a nice way, or so he says....

“I’ve acknowledged several times on that show that ‘this is the stupidest show I’ve ever been on.’ And I really mean that and I actually mean that in a really nice way. You suspend all journalism, obviously, when you go on that show, and I’ve made the point several times that I used to be a journalist, but now I’m a cartoon character when I go on their show.

But everyone understands that they're not journalists, they're entertainers, and they're just having a good time, and I'm here to help out the company and I love those guys.”

Well, I guess I can sort of understand that. I get that they are "entertainers" (however loosely you want to use that word), but I also think that they should be held to some sort of standard. Part of the reason that I personally can't stand the show, is that they never take a stance on anything, but if you like the show....I'm not going to tell you what to listen to, or watch each morning.

As far as Kurkjian goes, he's one of the best minds that ESPN has, and you should definitely check out the whole interview with Levy when you get a chance.

Spring Training Begins With Tim Kurkjian
Tim Kurkjian Audio (On The DL)

Yes folks, yet another Bill Simmons podcast, and yet another shot at ESPN and Rick Reilly. Simmons had on The Soup's Joel McHale, and after commenting on the E! network allowing McHale to make fun of the channel, he started at ESPN and took a veiled shot at Reilly. Here's the audio....

Not the worst shot he's taken, but at some point ESPN has to realize he's just trying to get fired. Also at some point, Simmons has to realize this is getting kind of old. It was entertaining at first, but now it just seems a little forced.

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)

I failed to mention last week that ESPN was planning this big, "State of the Sports Media" angle on its radio airwaves this week, but I guess there's no time like the present. Mid-morning on the last day of the work week. Anyway, there have been a few good segments put together by them, and two of the more interesting items are below.

First, it was almost two years ago that Colin Cowherd decided to randomly command one of his listeners to attack the website, The Big Lead. Well apparently Colin now is climbing aboard the U.S.S. Blog, and he couldn't be more excited....

The thing about the blogs, they’re an emerging media … blogs were all the rage for about two years because they were so raw and unedited and unfiltered, but now, you know, blogs are getting boring and mundane like the rest of us … but I think blogs have gotten better .. as they have gotten more coverage, they are now growing up. The writing’s getting better and they have more perspective … I did put one blog on my website [his sidekick, Amanda guessed 'The Big Lead'] … I knocked them off and I felt bad. I’ve monitored them for about four months for my website and they do the best job of being funny but not vulgar or childish, and they go down that path sometimes. It is, by and large, an entertaining and visually interesting blog. I like it.

Visually interesting? Okay then. Anyway, I'll get to Shrutebag in a minute, the second thing I wanted to bring up is much more entertaining. Scott Van Pelt decided to bring The Sporting Blog's Chris Mottram on his show yesterday. The two had a really good discussion about the state of things, and here's the audio....



As when anything becomes popular, you have to find a way to separate the diehards from the posers. Scott Van Pelt, as he said in the interview with Mottram, is a genuine Sports fan and would seemingly do anything for the game(s) he loves. Like for example, say Bud Selig's salary makes him want to throw up in his mouth. SVP has always been in the loop, in good times and in bad, and he won't hesitate to call you out if need be. That's what makes him great at what he does.

Cowherd, on the other hand, is still transparent as the day is long. He is the reason that blogs came about. To call out people in positions that weren't normally called out. The people that you knew were just in it for the attention/fame. And now that blogs are beginning to be accepted, well by everyone but Mitch Albom (hey, we all can't pen a 40 word, 20 paragraph column....once a month), it's funny to see who is suddenly trying to pretend like they were hip all along.

He Used to Think We Were “Annoying,” But Now He Likes Us. He Really, Really Likes Us! (The Big Lead)
Blogs vs. Mainstream Media … Again (Mister Irrelevant)

I never thought I'd see the day that Howard Stern and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo would be in the same studio, but I guess when you work for the same company it's bound to happen. Russo went on Stern yesterday, and after a lengthy conversation about all things Sports radio, and his strained relationship with former co-host Mike Francesa, everyone in New York City decided to start trash talking everyone. The three main opponents were Russo, Francesa and Neil Best at Newsday decided to transcribe some of the action, and here's what a day in New York Sports Radio looks like....

Russo's quotes on Stern: "It depends who you ask. Their ratings, from an FAN perspective, seem to be the same. I have spoken to some other people at 1050 ESPN that said they’ve gotten murdered in certain parts of the tri-state area, Jersey for instance. And if you noticed, ESPN, they moved their show."

"I hear the quality of the show, he misses the energy, he does this, he does that, and I miss Mike, too. It goes both ways. So I’ve heard that. But as far as, Chris, did you see or look at this, that this rating was 10 percent less than when you were there? No."

Finally, Russo conceded ratings were down, just to shut up Stern. "There’s been a little bit of a decrease, if it makes you happy. I’ve got pride, of course."

Francesa: "As sure as I’m sitting here, they’re never catching me, and you can underline that, OK? So the idea that they’re chasing me down in Jersey or they’re chasing me down somewhere, well, you know what, bring friends and ban everybody you can ban and bring a whole lot more ammunition than you have so far, because you have never gotten close, and you never will, as long as I’m sitting here.

"If you’re going to come after us, then you better bring more than pea shooters. Because you know what? The FAN has been No. 1 here for 20 years and it’s going to be No. 1 long after I’m gone. But while I’m sitting here, you can be damn sure it’s going to be No. 1."

Michael Kay: "I'll take the high road. I'm very happy with my life and my standing and find no need to lash out at others. I leave that to those that are seemingly less content with what they've been blessed with."

Well then. It's nice to see that everyone has been getting along since the breakup. I'm not going to pretend to know what radio ratings are like in New York City, but as long as these three keep going at it, they will probably continue to be strong. Good job by Kay not to get into the mess between two former colleagues, but sooner or later he's going to be sucked in. Good times!

I'd love to get video up, but unfortunately Comcast blows, and they won't update On Demand for weeks at a time.

Chris Russo flies first class for Sirius, 'which is fair' (Watchdog)
Mike Francesa-Bill Parcells relationship on the rocks (Watchdog)
You heard from Russo and Francesa; now it's Kay's turn (Watchdog)

Last week, Scott Van Pelt criticized Bud Selig's whopping $18.5 million salary last week, and through multiple sources, AJ at Deadspin has found out that the anchor and radio host has been suspended. Via DSpin....

Last week, ESPN's Scott Van Pelt hammered Bud Selig about the MLB Commissioner's $18.5 million salary.A little too much, apparently: SVP was suspended from his radio show on Monday, according to multiple WWL sources.

Van Pelt declined to comment on the incident, passing it along to ESPN media relations, who "do not comment about personnel decisions." The story, passed along through several people, was that Van Pelt's rant about Selig was "too personal" for some of the ESPN bosses — comments about his slovenly appearances, something about a "pimp cup" — which led to the suspension. Van Pelt, reportedly on his own volition, called Selig to apologize and was in agreement that his statements were a little harsh.

Selig does have close relationships with many of ESPN's top execs ( they are currently locked in an 8-year, $2.4 billion broadcast deal from 2005 for Sunday Night Baseball and have other contracts with MLB) and the initial story was that Selig himself heard the remarks and was personally offended by them, but that hasn't been confirmed.

Well that's rather interesting, isn't it? I always wondered how much ESPN reeled people in, because of the rights given to them by leagues, and I guess now I know. There's word that the conversation actually WAS over-the-line, but suspending someone who's never had an issue before, seems a little harsh.

I'm looking for the audio now, and if someone knows what day it went down, please shoot me an email.

ESPN Is Giving Scott Van Pelt Some Quiet Time (Deadspin)

Just about every time there's a chat with Bill Simmons on ESPN.com these days, the Page 2 writer takes a pot shot or two at his employer. This time he accused the network of stealing his ideas, and not letting him go on any radio shows that aren't aired on ESPN Radio. Via ESPN....

Zo (Arlington, VA): So, you have started a new Hall of Fame: The Donovan McNabb Comedy Hall of Fame for athletes/entertainers who try to be funny in such an awkward manner that it is actually more creepy than anything. So, you have McNabb and Kobe. I would also throw in Superbowl Week with Kurt Warner as well. Who else joins the club?

SportsNation Bill Simmons: If you made a Mount Rushmore for it (I look forward to SportsCenter stealing this idea and not giving me credit or even emailing me to say they are doing it - thanks guys, it's great being on the same team with you!), I'd go with...

Kevin (Chappaqua, NY): Bill, with the Mike and the Maddog show no longer on the airways and the classic radio 1, 2 combo having gone their separate ways, What do you think there interactions will be at their first Super Bowl apart? I'm sure they will be fighting for guests, giving evil snickers and stares across radio row, while Mike sips on his Diet Coke and Dog fidgets uncontrollably in his chair. My question though is if you were asked to go on both shows and only had time for one, who you going with?

SportsNation Bill Simmons: I would go on Mike's show. There's a 85% chance that Dog has never read a single thing I've written. Mike and I have a love-hate relationship (mostly love) but at least he reads me... the last time I was on, they grabbed me on Media Row and I was sick... I want a second chance... sadly it can never happen because I am not allowed to go on non-ESPN shows ... even though the show that goes against Mike's (Michael Kay) has never asked me to come on. Yup, this is my company.

Kind of odd that both digs are still up too. I also think it's odd that ESPN won't let any of their personalities cross promote on other networks. Seems like a no-brainer, and they let them do interviews for newspapers, but maybe they think otherwise. It's amazing that Simmons hasn't been dropped or suspended yet, but I guess you can't get rid of your most popular Internet draw that easily.

Chat with Bill Simmons (ESPN)