Bill Simmons has found his next stop: HBO.
The Hollywood Reporter reported last month that Simmons was heading to HBO, and the two sides made it official Wednesday. The former ESPN personality will have his own show beginning in 2016 and also will do work on HBO’s digital platforms. That includes podcasts, which Simmons did regularly through Grantland while at ESPN.
“We have been fans of Bill Simmons and his work for a very long time,” HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said in a statement. “His intelligence, talent and insights are without precedent in the areas he covers. We could not be more thrilled for him to bring those talents to HBO and to become a signature voice at the network, spanning the sports and pop culture landscapes.”
Simmons called HBO “the single best place for creative people in the entire media landscape.”
Simmons also tweeted this Wednesday, moments after the announcement.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/623889631180816385 align=’center’]
Simmons and ESPN parted ways in May after ESPN president John Skipper announced the sports media power wasn’t renewing Simmons’ contract. Simmons butted heads at times with his former employer, especially toward the end of his time with ESPN. He was suspended for three weeks in 2014 for calling NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a liar.
It’s probably safe to say there will be far fewer limitations at HBO, which should please fans of Simmons, as he’s one of the most popular sports personalities out there.
Thumbnail photo via Facebook/Bill Simmons
