Bill Simmons OUT At ESPN

Bill Simmons is leaving ESPN, the network's president, John Skipper, told Richard Sandomir of The New York Times.

In a statement, Skipper said he chose not to extend Simmons' contract:

I decided today that we are not going to renew Bill Simmons' contract. We have been in negotiations and it was clear it was time to move on. ESPN's relationship with Bill has been mutually beneficial — he has produced great content for us for many years and ESPN has provided him many new opportunities to spread his wings. We wish Bill continued success as he plans his next chapter. ESPN remains committed to Grantland and we have a strong team in place.

After becoming one of the country's most popular sports columnists while writing for ESPN.com, Simmons founded Grantland.com and worked on the network's acclaimed "30 for 30" documentary series.

The NY Times noted when Bill Simmons learned on Friday morning that his nearly 15-year-old relationship with ESPN was over, he responded with something uncharacteristic: silence.

He said nothing to his 3.7 million followers on Twitter. He did not pick up the phone or answer requests for comment. His agent and publicist followed his sounds of silence.

Simmons seemed to have been blindsided by the timing of ESPN’s decision, which came more than four months before his contract is to expire, at the end of September.