A Recent History of ESPN Bending to Outside Pressure

From the cancellation of Playmakers to Bill Simmons' three-week suspension, check out A Recent History of ESPN Bending to Outside Pressure.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Last week, ESPN employee Bill Simmons went on his own podcast, The BS Report, and absolutely shredded Roger Goodell and his handling of the Ray Rice situation. Among other things, Simmons called Goodell a “liar” with “no integrity whatsoever,” and ended his rant by saying, “You leave me alone. The Commissioner’s a liar and I get to talk about that on my podcast.”

Apparently not, Bill.

In the wake of his comments on Goodell and daring ESPN to punish him for his words, the network decided to do just that when they announced last night that they would be suspending Simmons for three weeks. Public outcry ensued, and with the hashtag #freesimmons running rampant on the internet today, the microscope now turns to ESPN and the assertion that they’re very much in the NFL’s pocket.

But after a little digging, it’s evident that Simmons’ suspension is not the first time ESPN has acted to protect its image (and more importantly its partnerships). From the cancellation of Playmakers to Simmons’ three-week work stoppage, check out A Recent History of ESPN Bending to Outside Pressure.

10. Rush Limbaugh Gets Axed For His Comments on Donovan McNabb

Not Available Interstitial

9. Playmakers Is a Success, But Gets Cancelled After Season One

Not Available Interstitial

8. Harold Reynolds Is Shown the Door Over Sexual Harassment Claims

Not Available Interstitial

7. Jemele Hill Is Suspended For Comparing the Boston Celtics to Hitler…Kind Of

Not Available Interstitial

6. Ben Roethlisberger Gets a Late Pass from the NFL and ESPN

Not Available Interstitial

5. ESPN Didn't Like Tony Kornheiser's Comments on Hannah Storm's Attire

Not Available Interstitial

4. Jay Mariotti Axed After Domestic Violence Charges

Not Available Interstitial

3. Rob Parker Receives Unpaid Vacation For calling RGIII a “Cornball Brother”

Not Available Interstitial

2. The Worldwide Leader Didn't Appreciate Stephen A. Smith's Take on the Ray Rice Situation

Not Available Interstitial

1. Bill Simmons Poked the ESPN Bear

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Sports