When Bill Simmons called Roger Goodell a liar, shook sports media [Video]

In its zeal to remain the Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN has never shied away from adding talent that doesn’t necessarily quite fit the buttoned-down Disney brand. Management has taken risks. Management has endured headaches. Management has tolerated mavericks as long as they contribute to the bottom line. However, management has limits, and ten years ago this month, Bill Simmons tested them greatly at ESPN.

ESPN never wants to harm its corporate relationships with sports leagues, but Simmons came to those crossroads at ESPN by calling Roger Goodell ‘a liar.’ The accusation led to a three-week suspension—one of the longest in the network’s history. It’s one of those moments ESPN would like everyone to forget. It’s one of the moments most in sports media will never forget. To criticize the commissioner of ESPN’s most important business partner and dare your bosses to punish you takes chutzpah, a lack of respect for your employer, and an utter …