The sports media world has been overtaken by the war between NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and late night television host Jimmy Kimmel, which has also driven tension between ESPN and one its newest hosts, Pat McAfee.
Many have chimed in on the situation — including some former ESPN personalities who also butted heads with ESPN management like Jemele Hill and Dan Le Batard — but one massive name who has ties to both ESPN and Kimmel has been quite silent.
Related: Aaron Rodgers responds to Jimmy Kimmel, throws a jab at an ESPN exec
The Ringer founder Bill Simmons, who worked for "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in 2003 and then spent over a decade with ESPN, had not spoken about the beef despite still consistently posting his popular podcast "The Bill Simmons Show." That is, until he gave a brief soundbite about the conflict during the intro of his show released on the evening of Jan. 9.
Simmons started by sarcastically pointing out the numerous former ESPN talents that have talked about the beef.
"A lot of people are asking me why I haven't weighed in on all the McAfee-Rodgers stuff cause it seems like if you used to work for ESPN once upon a time you have to weigh in with an opinion," Simmons said.
Then he gave his 12-word reaction.
"I just don't care. I really don't. Good luck to everyone involved."
Related: Dan Le Batard shockingly takes 'side' of Aaron Rodgers after Jimmy Kimmel's latest rant
The reaction may be a little shocking considering Simmons has rarely been shy to speak out about ESPN — a network where he had constant clashes with upper management.
Simmons also still regularly guests on his podcast his longtime friend Sal Iacono, who is often referred to as "Cousin Sal" because he is literally the cousin of Jimmy Kimmel. Despite the two doing a show together on Sunday, Jan. 7 after the final week of the NFL regular season, Simmons had remained silent until this very short acknowledgement of the beef.
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