OT- Bill Simmons Suspension

Submitted by ndscott50 on
I thought the Bill Simmons suspension was interesting and might be of interest to the board for a discussion. I did not find what he said to be particularly over the line. ESPN declared that he had violated their journalistic standards as the reason for the suspension. That reasoning seems suspect as his statement about Goodell lying was in the context of a podcast with cousin Sal and clearly came across as opinion. He also dared his employer to call him on it which may be the primary motivation for the suspension. I don’t see a problem with that as publically calling out your employer is likely going to generate a response. At the same time I wonder if this is a sign that the NFL is starting to push back against criticism by using its strong influence with its network partners to muzzle the press. That would be more concerning though not unprecedented. This also got me thinking about Michigan and its current situation. As the fire around Hoke and Brandon has intensified I wonder if the local media, Mgoblog included, feel pressure to be more measured in their approach to covering the team. How actively does the AD try to use access to shape media coverage? It seems like that strategy eventually backfires.

TheFugitive

September 25th, 2014 at 1:42 PM ^

Kudos to him for speaking out.  I find it very hard to believe that Roger didn't see/have access to the video.  

wolverine1987

September 25th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^

I too find it strange, but then again far stranger things have happened than that. To question his story is entirely legitimate, but to assert Goodell is a liar publicly, as a journalist, and to challenge the employer publicly, is anothe thing entirely. The word "liar is far too casually used these days IMO, and is often substituted for "I don't agree with this guy and don't like him." 

Another point--people like Simmons a lot, which IMO contributes to what is IMO misguided outrage. If Olberman said this and got suspended we'd all be shrugging.

Njia

September 25th, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^

Ask John U. Bacon. After "Three and Out" was published, he found himself persona non grata, including loss of his media pass and no more thoughtful holiday cards from Dave Brandon.

Monocle Smile

September 25th, 2014 at 1:44 PM ^

How badly do you have to fuck up to make BILL SIMMONS a sympathetic figure?

Compare this to the single week Stephen A Smith got for victim-blaming in the wake of the Ray Rice fiasco. Fuck all of them...the NFL, ESPN, Roger Goodell. Fuck 'em all.

NittanyFan

September 25th, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^

Simmons simply had to be suspended ... he violated the rules and then bragged about doing it.  Easy move for any employer.

 

But doesn't ESPN realize they created a storyline of "Assault a woman?  2 weeks punishment.  Call somebody a liar?  3 weeks punishment"??  That's not good PR for ESPN.  Really surprised they didn't just suspend Simmons one week.

robpollard

September 25th, 2014 at 3:13 PM ^

Rice lost 1/8 of his pay for his 2 game suspension (2/16).

Assuming Simmons was suspended without pay (which I don't think is even the case, but let's go with it), he lost 1/17 of his pay for his 3 weeks of (3/52).

That said, lots of people would make the comparison you made. But I don't think ESPN cares; at this point, they're too big too fail.

robpollard

September 25th, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^

I'll give you one example -- is anyone on this board NOT going to watch the UM/Minn game this weekend (which is on ABC/ESPN) because of this? My guess is that number is 0%.

More globally, they dominate in the ratings and have vacuumed up the key properties. As was (coincidentally) pointed out yesterday, the #2 sports network is not NBCSN or Fox Sports but ESPN 2 (by a large margin, in terms of ratings).

People will go to where the content is. ESPN has that for the next 8-10 years -- all the other stuff is just interesting to talk about.

wesq

September 25th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^

Simmons is a known fan of wrestling, this seems like an attempt to get him back to being a face.  He had a pretty bad run with NBA Countdown this year (forcing out Wilbon, whinning, bad reviews) and Grantland (Dr. V suicide). Baiting ESPN into making him a victim doesn't seem out of his character.  It has drawn a ton of publicity and which will only increase his brand, ESPN's most important personality.  Everyone wins.

mjv

September 25th, 2014 at 1:46 PM ^

I believe that it is highly likely that the NFL pushed on ESPN to do something.  

I see no parallels with the Hoke/Brandon situation and MGo.  the NFL has all of the leverage in this situation.  They have the product that the networks desparately want.  They probably have the ability to make such demands.  What does the M AD offer that MGo needs?  Brian built his site around not looking to have access rather careful analysis.  

swalburn

September 25th, 2014 at 2:18 PM ^

Do you remember the ESPN show Playmakers?  It was great show and did well in ratings but didn't paint a picture of the NFL that they liked and the show went away.  PTI discussed it in the last couple weeks, and said it was not renewed in an effort to keep the NFL happy.  I'm not saying that is why ESPN suspended Simmons but ESPN absolutely will make decisions to keep the NFL happy.

Maximinus Thrax

September 25th, 2014 at 1:49 PM ^

This kind of thing should make us skeptical every time an ESPN, ABC, CBS etc. covers ANY sports league with whom they have a large broadcast rights contract, or with whom they might someday hope to have a large broadcast rights contract.

JonSnow54

September 25th, 2014 at 1:49 PM ^

"I don’t see a problem with that as publically calling out your employer is likely going to generate a response."

Yes, it sure did generate a response.

Simmons basically dared them to do something.  Calling out your employer publicly and daring them to discipline you does not seem like it is a smart thing to do if you like having your job.

Also, ESPN is typically very conservative about these kinds of things, and this suspension fits in with their previous actions.  This is at least the third time Simmons has been suspended.  He likes to toe the line.  

 

El Fuego

September 25th, 2014 at 1:50 PM ^

and this isn't the first podcast/article he has done that has criticized Goodell. He had to of been suspended because of either:

  1. Using what ESPN would consider "excessive" profanity
  2. Calling out his employer
  3. A combination of both

Princetonwolverine

September 25th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^

She came out of the elevator unconscious. Ray Rice admitted to what happened in the elevator. No tape needed. Someone's pants are on fire, Roger.

umchicago

September 25th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^

having someone tell you about an occurrence is not nearly as powerful as actually seeing it.  when i first saw the rice tape from outside the elevator, i thought the woman might have been passed out drunk.  i could not be sure.  but after seeing the video from the inside...horrific.

similary, i am outraged by two journalists getting their heads chopped off by islamic extremists.  but i have chosen not to watch those videos because i'm sure watching it would by 1000 times worse than just hearing about it.

LSAClassOf2000

September 25th, 2014 at 1:54 PM ^

How actively does the AD try to use access to shape media coverage? It seems like that strategy eventually backfires.

I thought there had been a story about the Michigan Daily being suddenly barred from a presser (maybe it was just a temporary thing, but I do wonder if that has since been rescinded) back in the winter because of their coverage of Brendan Gibbons and what had gone on with him. It was only a day or two after the Daily did their story that they found themselves out of a Hoke presser, I believe.It certainly looked at the time as if the tone of coverage - well, additional coverage - was trying to be set by the department. I could be way off though. 

4godkingandwol…

September 25th, 2014 at 1:54 PM ^

... Stephen A Smith gets two weeks suspension for suggesting that Janay Palmer provoked getting knocked out.  

... Bill Simmons gets 3 weeks for calling the league and its cronies (including his employer) out for their horrible handling of the situation.  

 

Sounds about right.  

 

Note: ESPN has the right to do this, as should any employer who feels an employee is harming their business.  I just think it stinks.  

ahw1982

September 25th, 2014 at 2:34 PM ^

TBH, I thought both suspensions were stupid.  Stephen A Smith is an idiot and I will change the channel whenever he is on.  His comments were also not made in the most tactful way.  But I think it's kind of stupid to suspend a journalist on a show when the show's MO is to blast loud, obnoxious and controversial opinions in the first place.

Then again, I'm of the camp that thinks all this publicity about Rice, Peterson, etc. is stupid.  It's not the NFL's job to police crimes, that's law enforcement's job.  If the NFL had a black and white, consistent policy on this kind of stuff (no action whatsoever until after judicial resolution of the crime, some kind of consistent schedule of suspensions based upon length of probation/sentence/fine, etc.) nobody would give a flying f about what the NFL is doing about Rice, Peterson, etc.

*EDIT* I also wouldn't be surprised if these "suspensions" are BS for publicity.  I.e., ESPN contacts Smith and Simmons with a plan for a wink wink, nudge nudge suspension that gets both parties on the front page of all the Internet news aggregators.

goblue20111

September 25th, 2014 at 3:37 PM ^

LeBron not being the best player in the NBA is a controversial opinion.

Advising women that they need to do a better job of not provoking men into knocking them unconscious is deplorable and he doesn't need to be given a microphone to tell the nation that. At least not by his employer.  Sponsors and viewers were pissed. 

readyourguard

September 25th, 2014 at 1:54 PM ^

There should always be a degree of professionalism maintained, even if you disagree or have a complete opposite point of view from your employer/broadcast partner.  In short, you can voice your opinion without being an asshole.  Sam Webb and Brian Cook don't like how the 2 losses played out.  Brian has been vocal against the AD.  But contrast their style against say, Mike Taylor's recent flame on the radio.  Brian hasn't burned any bridges.  Taylor?  Not so much.

mjv

September 25th, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^

The thing that I don't get is why the later video is such a shock to people.  What did everyone think happened in the elevator?  That he sprayed her with some potion?  No.  Of course the asshole punched her.  And that video is what a punch looks like.  
 
What I find more damning is what appeared to be the calm, near indifference that he went about dealing with his unconscious finance.  
 

MGoViso

September 25th, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^

Ignoring the fun "finance" typo...

This is parallel (in limited fashion) to people criticizing Dubya for finishing the goat book or whatever on 9/11. Without going full polo, it's more or less established that is an insane measure of character. Would you truly feel differently if Rice panicked and ran around? I don't see a way to grade him based off that. What I find more damning, in fact, is that he punched his fiancee.

mjv

September 25th, 2014 at 5:41 PM ^

I agree with you that clearly the most damning fact is that Rice punched his fiancee.  (I wondered why the "e" dropped from the spell checker when I typed it in my prior post.)  

But the fact that he punched her was obvious without the second video. My point was more along the lines of: if it had been a moment where he lost control, and then there was some remorse, I would have expected him to call for medical assistance or something of that nature. His actions struck me as someone who has zero remorse for the vile act he just committed. 

MGOBOOB

September 25th, 2014 at 2:05 PM ^

espn is full of hypocrites and windbags. they preach at the nfl for the fair treatment of women yet espn has been a den of sexual harrassment for 30 years. espn has an employee that stalked and sexually harrassed women and their idea of punishment is to make him the lead voice of mnf. i really can't stand anything they put on tv or radio.