Magic Johnson is a NBA and college basketball icon and part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Magic is a tremendous personality, but he was never a tremendous announcer. And he is now leaving ESPN NBA Countdown because of Bill Simmons. Mostly because Bill Simmons is pretty much in charge of the show now
Deadspin cites ESPN sources who claim Magic Johnson is less-than-thrilled with Bill Simmons’ role in the show expanding, while Michael Wilbon’s role decreases.
Deadspin’s sources report Magic Johnson was “privately seething over the Wilbon thing and in general and did not like that Simmons held all the power and influence.”
“The bottom line is they turned that show over to Simmons,” said Deadspin’s source. “That’s why Doug Collins got hired and why Wilbon was out.”
Magic Johnson is a successful business man and inspirational figure to L.A. Lakers and Michigan State Spartans fans everywhere. Still he was always mediocre at best as an analyst on television.
ESPN Countdown will now be sans Magic Johnson and Michael Wilbon. They are replaced by Doug Collins and Doris Burke. If you don’t like that, blame The Sports Guy.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan and 1620 The Zone, he also writes for Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks), Facebook, and RSS