HBO Signs Bill Simmons After He's Dumped by ESPN

HBO says it has struck a multi-year, multi-platform deal with the multi-faceted Bill Simmons. Under the deal, which begins in October, HBO will be Simmons' exclusive television home, the network said. Among other projects, Simmons will host a weekly talk show premiering next year. It will feature stories and guests from across the sports and cultural landscapes. He will also have a production deal to produce content for the network and its digital platforms, delivering video podcasts and features.

In addition, he will consult with HBO Sports. A top personality at ESPN until they parted ways in May, Simmons has served as a sports columnist, TV host and analyst, and best-selling author. He was also the founding editor of the Grantland.com website. The New York Times calls him "perhaps the most influential sportswriter in the country." (More Bill Simmons stories.)