Posted on 09/25/2014 3:43:53 AM PDT by servo1969
ESPN analyst Bill Simmons has been suspended for three weeks after he made profane comments about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during a podcast.
In addition, Simmons is not allowed to use Twitter while suspended, an ESPN spokesman confirmed to The Times.
Shortly after the suspension was announced, #FreeSimmons began trending worldwide on Twitter.
ESPN's Bill Simmons suspended after profane Roger Goodell rant L.A. Times staff writer Ryan Parker reports on ESPN analyst Bill Simmons' suspension from the sports network after comments he made about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. On The B.S. Report podcast hosted on ESPN.com, Simmons used the F word multiple times while passionately exclaiming that Goodell was lying about his involvement and knowledge of the mishandling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse scandal.
“Goodell, if he didn’t know what was on that tape, he’s a liar. I’m just saying it. He is lying. If you put him up on a lie detector test, that guy would fail. For all these people to pretend they didn’t know is such ... . It really is, it’s such ... . For him to go into that press conference and pretend otherwise -- I was so insulted.”
Simmons, also the editor in chief of Grantland.com, then dared ESPN to reprimand him for what he said during the same podcast.
“I really hope somebody calls me or emails me and says I’m in trouble for anything I say about Roger Goodell,” Simmons said. “Because if one person says that to me, I’m going public. You leave me alone. The commissioner’s a liar and I get to talk about that on my podcast. ... Please, call me and say I’m in trouble. I dare you.”
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Off with his head!!!
ESPN knows not to screw with the moneymakers.
Simmons I take it, spoke the truth.
Hope Solo, USA Womens Soccer goalie.
Why is no one destroying Hope Solo before due process begins??
Don't shoot the messenger. LOL.
He’ll have to wear pink to work!
Who or what is a Bill Simmons? Between ESPN, FOX-Sport 1 & 2, NBC Sports, CBS Sports and The NFL Network there must be ninetyleven sport and/or football analyst on TV. I don’t know one from the other.
To use a phrase that was in vogue a century ago,
“They all look (and sound) alike to me.”
ESPN’s lawyers know better than to tolerate obscene, defamatory, and potentially libelous statements being put out on ESPN’s podcast.
I’m not a fan of Goodell, but with all these lefties going against him I almost feel bad for him. I don’t, but almost.
I guess it’s time for him to “go public”...
What is Hope Solo alleged to have done?
This is probably what got him suspended:
“Goodell, if he didn’t know what was on that tape, he’s a liar. I’m just saying it. He is lying. If you put him up on a lie detector test, that guy would fail...
...The commissioner’s a liar and I get to talk about that on my podcast. ... Please, call me and say I’m in trouble. I dare you.”
That may be true, but the most important reason is that libs are NOT out to destroy soccer. Simple.
What “lefties”? ESPN itself is about as liberal as you can get.
And Goodell deserves to be pilloried. He has screwed up on multiple levels that will end up hurting the NFL brand in the long run.
Sports journalists in general, in particular ESPN (Simmons, Olbermann, Wilbon, etc.). ESPN suspended Simmons because of money - Monday Night Football is a big deal for ESPN.
I remember freedom of speech. Freedom of speech was my friend. RIP freedom of speech.
There is the thought out there in some quarters that “lefties” in general would prefer the focus be on Goodell as opposed to the real bad guys, the miscreant football players involved.
No doubt they suspended him to protect their NFL contract/relationship.
I’m no fan of Simmons, but this whole business of ESPN suspending their employees for their opinions is ridiculous. Well, at least they don’t get my money anymore.
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