The channel that brings you catchy sports update music is in full throttle defending their commissioner for his idiot governing. Are you surprised? Are you shocked that ESPN, which hosts Monday Night Football, and has the coziest relationship with the NFL public relations department, is in full Wasilla mama bear mode?

ESPN just sent a huge message to all it’s hosts. We don’t want your opinions if it hurts our interests. We don’t want your unbiased reporting. This had nothing to do with Bill Simmons’ cursing. When you charge the cable companies upwards of 5 dollars a subscriber, you better believe, swords will be drawn.

This isn’t the first time alphabet sports has sided with their paid interests. Frontline’s concussion documentary, A League of Denial, originally partnered with ESPN on the project. The footage went in-depth on how the NFL is aware of long term damage to the brain, but does little to address the problem. Before the show even aired, the NFL intervened with ESPN and told them to abandon their affiliation. Frontline removed every producer credit and even released a piece on how they were asked to part ways.

Now, here’s a little ditty. Stephen A Smith has been making the rounds, not just on ESPN, but also on CNN, championing Goodell’s work. Yes, this is the same muggle who said, “Women, please don’t do anything to start domestic violence.” I repeat, muggle.

“There is no history of Goodell being a liar.” Apparently, Smith has been paid and paid well to forgot about spygate, bountygate, and the referee debacle.

There are 15 billions reasons why they suspended Simmons for three weeks. THREE weeks. One was to set precedent. They are apparent fans of the triple dog dare. The other 14,999,999 999 reasons are all wrapped up in the Monday Night Football contract and coverage. MNF averages 15 million viewers a week. Combined with the pregame show and post game SportsCenter, ESPN is in the top five watched viewed every Monday night. Pair that with the relationships they tie up between all major sports leagues for exclusive interviews and behind the scenes footage.

When you’re watching any ESPN property, take it with a grain of salt. This is a situation and a suspension that we’re of. Imagine the editorial slant in the editing room that you don’t get too see.

Da na na, da na na.