The Simmons Site

. . . hanging curve, waiting to be swatted 600+ feet . . .

 

Because if he ever left, they'd have to rename it The Hogan Family.

As much as they want to attach their train to his caboose, they want the site to have its own identity.

There could one day be a Grantland without Bill Simmons. There can't be a Martha Stewart, or O Magazine without Martha or Oprah.

 

Wasn't "Valerie" Grantland's original name?

 

Simmons, to his credit, does not do enough television to be the most well-known sportswriter in the country. Surely he's in the top three or four.
But does "popular" mean "well known" or "avidly followed by the most people." If the latter, he probably is.

 

How many sportswriters have been on the late night shows? I know Reilly and Albom have. I know Whitlock was on Oprah. I know Simmons has been on most of the late night shows.

 

If you're talking about most-recognized sportswriter, by athletes and fans alike, no question it's Wilbon, because of PTI.

 

Here's a fascinating story: Chris Ryan on the drama of promotion and relegation in English soccer.

 

Wilbon might be in the conversation, but no way is it a "no question" type deal.

I think as far as "famous" it's Simmons, Reilly, Albom, Wilbon, Whitlock, Lupica... I think after those six there's a dropoff to King, Ryan, Paige, maybe Bayless? I was in an airport with Bayless a few years back and he gets recognized a lot. Is he really still a writer?

 

If you're discussing sheer name recognition, across all demographic groups, it is a no-question type deal.

It's Albom. His book was on Oprah.

People who don't care about sports at all know that book.

 

People who don't care about sports know about that book, but do they know who wrote it? I'm not convinced. Albom is certainly top-five, but I think Simmons wins. His columns and podcasts draw in more hits than anyone else, for certain.

 

I hate to break up this riveting debate, but as for the site, I'm quickly losing interest. I think it's safe to say we can put to rest the idea that it's ever going to be a place where literary long-form writing enjoys an online renaissance. Right now, it's just too silly, for lack of a better word. There are some good features from time to time (I liked Jones' write-up on the Senna doc), but not enough that I'm going to make a habit of wading through reality TV fantasy updates, too-cool-for-school culture crap and Simmons' pointless manifestos to seek them out.

 

At this point a high quality literary long form piece would look as out of place as "Does Sasha Vujacic "Deserve" Maria Sharapova?" appearing in The New Yorker.