Is there a conspiracy going on with ESPN's Bill Simmons suspension?

The really funny thing is, I was already planning to write about Bill Simmons today, making a joke about something he does on his podcast regularly.  But it looks like that will have to wait, because yesterday ESPN suspended Simmons for three weeks.  The network says it's because of the remarks he made about Rodger Goodell, but really it's the defiance with which he did it, literally daring his employers to reprimand him.

For the sake of argument, let me suggest another possible scenario here, something myself and Barstool Sports owner/creator Dave Portnoy are in agreement on:

ESPN knows Goodell is liar, but they can't say it publicly because of their relationship with the NFL.  But, they can have someone like Simmons talk about it on a podcast, than make a big story of it by suspending him.  They get the message across, and Simmons gets a three-week vacation.

Just an idea...

Had to be. So scripted @LucidSportsFan: @stoolpresidente He wanted time off, they wanted him to say it, win win.
— David Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 25, 2014

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