Fansided

Bill Simmons didn’t realize he was fired until he saw the report on Twitter

By Connor Muldowney

Feb 4, 2015; Plano, TX, USA; Plano West High School students Cody Hein (left) and Ethan Wright (right) sit behind a mock ESPN desk during the press conference of SoSo Jamabo (not pictured) announcing he is attending UCLA at Plano West High School. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2015; Plano, TX, USA; Plano West High School students Cody Hein (left) and Ethan Wright (right) sit behind a mock ESPN desk during the press conference of SoSo Jamabo (not pictured) announcing he is attending UCLA at Plano West High School. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former ESPN analyst Bill Simmons found out via Twitter that he was let go and would no longer be a member of the worldwide network of sports.

As one of the most controversial analysts that ESPN has had for the past few years, usually giving his opinion about anything and everything, Bill Simmons has been the subject to a ton of criticism. Now, the former employee of ESPN found out that the network would no longer be keeping him on board after he looked at Twitter.

It’s pretty odd to find out that your employer isn’t keeping you around via social media, but that’s the exact case of Simmons.

The network’s president, John Skipper, confirmed on Tuesday that the controversial sports personality and ESPN will no longer be partnered together. Simmons found this out via a tweet by the New York Times containing the report.

While Skipper called the parting of ways a business decision and that it was a mutual agreement, although Simmons was under contact until the fall, the former analyst was surprised, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, he is not taking this announcement well.

Although Simmons had a successful run with ESPN as he helped created the extremely successful 30 for 30 video documentary series as well as the Grantland.com website, he did not do enough to avoid the spotlight in a negative way, seemingly always being on the wrong end of a controversial statement as well as harsh criticisms.

Simmons has been a strong advocate against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as well as speaking out on the unpopular side of many topics.

It’s tough to find out that you are being let go from a high paying job with months left on your contract and after being with a company for 13 years, but Simmons has to deal with all the pain right now.

This just goes to show that no matter what you have accomplished in an industry and what kind of paths you have paved, no job is safe.

Simmons is one of the best sportswriters out there and it seems like he will find a job with another company soon enough. Don’t be surprised if he finds something in the online industry — as most journalism is gearing toward that anyway.

You can’t feel too bad for the guy as he’s probably the hottest free agent sportswriter on the market. He will find a new job before you know it.

More from Miscellaneous