The NFL has a lot of power at ESPN, but according to Sports Business Daily, they had no input in the World Wide Leader suspending Bill Simmons for his scathing comments towards Roger Goodell.
A source said the NFL did not contact ESPN to complain about the comments, and that the suspension has more to do with his calling out ESPN execs than his remarks on Goodell.
It appears Simmons taunting his bosses publicly and daring them to take action earned him that nice vacation.