Bill Simmons is a tad dramatic. That's what he's paid for. He is a smart person who makes sports more exciting for other smart people. That's what he's paid for. So why is he suspended? For daring his bosses to suspend him. Such openly insubordinate remarks would likely get any other on-air personality at any level fired, and that chap would likely never work in media again. So why is the ESPN golden boy, podcast host and founder of Grantland merely suspended for the remarks he made about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell? Because he is valuable to the company just as he is.
It's an all-too common tale in our culture. The outsider throws stones at the evil empire until someone opens the castle door and lets the outsider in. But someone forgot to tell Bill Simmons that you're not supposed to throw stones anymore once you're on the inside.
Simmons gets criticized a lot for not following the narrative, but why shouldn't he dance with the one that brung him when he holds so much leverage?
Instead of becoming the enemy, BS is just as ornery and opinionated as he ever was. You gotta wonder if the guy who signed Guns and Roses ever feels like calling Simmons' bosses and saying 'I know exactly what you're going through' (via Dead Spin):
"Simmons became one of the most powerful actors in American media by saying what was on his mind, and the corporation that facilitated that rise now would prefer he not do so."
Of course, it's no big secret that Simmons can get away with a lot, precisely because he is beloved and sticks it to the man. Which is why he can get away with throwing his tantrums- Bill Simmons is a loss leader (via Business Insider):
"Bill Simmons and Nate Silver help our brand. That helps people think about ESPN. One of the biggest things we face is that we are big, and big companies are not lovable. You've got to find other things - 30 for 30, Grantland, FiveThirtyEight - that people love and feel passionately about."
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