According to NBC News, “The pact between the two, which becomes effective in October, sets up what HBO called ‘a comprehensive partnership on a variety of platforms between the network and Simmons.'”.
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A move for Simmons has been rumored to be in the works since he and ESPN split back in the spring, ending his successful decade-and-a-half run at the network.
“Bill Simmons is a name that’s known in the sports industry, and he will have his followers come to HBO with him”, says Kenneth Shropshire, a professor at the Wharton School.
On top of that, Simmons will contribute online video, podcasts and features for HBO and will be a consultant for HBO Sports.
Simmons was a staple in ESPN since 2001, working on the creation of the prominent documentary series “30 for 30”.
The Sports Guy has found his new home.
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“It’s no secret that HBO is the single best place for creative people in the entire media landscape”, Simmons said. “From the moment I started talking to Michael [Lombardo, President of HBO programming] and Richard [Plepler, HBO chairman and CEO] it was hard to imagine being anywhere else”. It’s still unclear what the longterm fate of Grantland will be without Simmons, but ESPN is committed to keeping it running (Chris Connelly was named interim editor-in-chief shortly after Simmons left). He also starred in the widely famous podcast titled “The B.S. Report“. The network that brought you the trenchant polemic, The Wire, won’t have a problem with Simmons doing things like simply stating the truth.
