Disney (DIS) subsidiary ESPN announced today the company is shutting down Grantland.com, one of the company’s most ambitious Internet ventures and arguably its most revered. The sports media giant said in a statement, "After careful consideration, we have decided to direct our time and energy going forward to projects that we believe will have a broader and more significant impact across our enterprise."

For those who frequented the website regularly, the unsurprising announcement came five months after a nasty breakup between ESPN and Grantland's founding editor Bill Simmons. It was clear that once Mr. Simmons was removed, Grantland’s fate was inevitable.

CNN Money reports, “About 40 writers, producers and editors will be affected by the decision.” The article also quotes a senior ESPN source: "We're getting out of the pop culture business.”

Many former staffers commented on Grantland’s shutdown via Twitter, and some were not thrilled. Here is a small sampling:

Grantland did not generate the views or profits ESPN projected. The website was ironically praised by the company for its "quality writing, smart ideas, original thinking and fun" and also singled out Simmons for being "an outstanding editor with a real eye for talent." This part of the ESPN’s statement is clearly to save face.

Grantland was the best venture ESPN has done, or may ever do. The majority of the best writers ESPN employed were working for Grantland, most notably Zach Lowe and Jonah Keri on the sports side of the website. The freedom Mr. Simmons allowed the writing staff, when he was editor-in-chief, was shown in the high quality of writing and interesting ideas put forth in each article. ESPN is not wrong with their assentment of Grandland and Mr. Simmons in the statement above. It is just odd coming from them in the aftermath of how Mr. Simmons left the company.

From a pure business standpoint, it is very understandable why ESPN shut down Grantland. It did not generate web traffic or profits; therefore, the website was an unnecessary drain on resources.  However, Grantland’s value wasn’t in profits or traffic. It was ESPN’s premier website to showcase some of the country’s best writers. 

Unfortunately, critical acclaim does not always equate to profits and ESPN is in the business of generating income. Grantland will forever be remember by the staff that worked there and the readers who visited the website daily. It was fun while it lasted…

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