Could ESPN Be Dumping Olbermann Over Goodell Commentaries?

keith_olbermannGee, why does that sound familiar? According to the Hollywood Reporter, ESPN has been pushing Keith Olbermann to stop doing his special commentaries during recent contract talks. The network brought up their concerns following Bill Simmons’ contract “non-renewal” in May, which occurred after he criticized NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Dan Patrick’s radio show. Olbermann did several special commentaries on Goodell following the Ray Rice scandal, and sources inside Bristol say this year’s shitty Monday Night Football schedule was “pay back for Simmons and Olbermann.” The network later disputed the report and denied that Olbermann was ever barred from discussing specific topics. But Deadspin reports Olbermann refused to edit his commentaries, and their source claims there’s a “95%” probability KO is gone after his contract ends in August.

Of course, there may be other financial reasons for ESPN playing hardball with KO. Disney is reportedly concerned with ESPN’s spending, and The Big Lead reports ESPN is being asked to cut $100M from the 2016 budget, and $250M from the next year’s. In comparison, the network pays $2B a year for Monday Night Football, which is more than any other network (and that doesn’t even come with a Super Bowl).

Read more at The Hollywood Reporter.

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Contributor for The Interrobang, well-meaning arsehole, aspiring show pony.
Stewart Smith
Stewart Smith
Contributor for The Interrobang, well-meaning arsehole, aspiring show pony.