Great job Ben. No doubt in my mind you were going to get an offer from a top sports publisher. Super happy for you and will continue to follow you there.
But leaving the Goat?!
Absolute heart breaker. Took so long to get over you two breaking up the Open Floor team. Don't do it to us again😩
Ben, I’m very happy for you and huge congrats on the job.
That said, I am devastated about the GOAT. You guys run my favorite podcast, regardless of subject matter, and nothing will fill that void. All respect to Sharp, who is phenomenal, what makes the pod special is the chemistry between you two and the ensuing banter. This is going to really sting.
I was excited for you when I read the subject line, then devastated after reading the contents. Someone else has already said "heartbreaker" and that isn't hyperbole. I have looked forward to the Ben/Andrew Open Floor and now GOAT for the better part of a decade as one of the highlights of each and every week. Maybe that says more about me than the pod, but the fact remains that this is a real loss. Please allow me to join what will surely be dozens of GOATs assuring you that if circumstances change, or you reconsider dropping the pod (please please please), we will be eagerly waiting your return!
Selfish thoughts aside, you are a fantastic writer and deserve every bit of success that comes your way. Congratulations on the new position!
Cmon man, very happy for you personally, but you can't leave the pod... there's no other NBA podcast that matches the quality, you gotta re-negotiate the contract man. Feels like the end of Grantland all over again
Hearing Ben is leaving the pod is genuinely the most devastating thing I've heard in years.
Pure speculation, but does ESPN maybe not allow staff to participate in side media projects such as podcasts? Ben, I really hope you can reconsider leaving the pod if you have the agency to do so, there really is nothing else like it in sports. I'm happy for you but this is such a blow.
Echoing everyone else's sentiments. Happy for you, and selfishly, couldn't be more sad to hear that you'll be leaving the podcast I look forward to new episodes of most. You have such a unique voice and perspective, and frankly, I don't want to hear the basketball opinions of anyone who's eaten a banana.
I would just like to say that after a pretty rough day yesterday, I decided to walk all the way home from Manhattan to Brooklyn just to clear my mind. What accompanied me on that walk was you and Ben reliving the glory of Monday's Spurs/OKC game, and I gotta say, it did make the day better. Will miss the hangs. Big time <3
Wow, congrats on the job. This is some wild and heartbreaking news. I remember where I was when I heard the Open Floor episode announcing your departure from SI, and I’ll remember where I was this morning learning about the end of GOAT.
Happy for you personally, super super sad for the rest of us. The GOAT isn’t just my favorite basketball podcast, isn’t just my favorite sports podcast, it’s my favorite podcast period. Damn.
Im so happy for you Ben! Big time congratulations! Hoping ESPN gives you a new pod and maybe even some TV time. They could definitely use your sensible and entertaining takes.
Congrats but we need that pod!
ESPN!
Great job Ben. No doubt in my mind you were going to get an offer from a top sports publisher. Super happy for you and will continue to follow you there.
But leaving the Goat?!
Absolute heart breaker. Took so long to get over you two breaking up the Open Floor team. Don't do it to us again😩
Wait, no!!!! I am super happy for you, but you can’t leave the podcast!!! What the hell???? Noooooooooooooo
Ben, I’m very happy for you and huge congrats on the job.
That said, I am devastated about the GOAT. You guys run my favorite podcast, regardless of subject matter, and nothing will fill that void. All respect to Sharp, who is phenomenal, what makes the pod special is the chemistry between you two and the ensuing banter. This is going to really sting.
Very happy for you, but really sad to hear that the GOAT might be ending. As long as it is the best thing for you that’s what matters
I was excited for you when I read the subject line, then devastated after reading the contents. Someone else has already said "heartbreaker" and that isn't hyperbole. I have looked forward to the Ben/Andrew Open Floor and now GOAT for the better part of a decade as one of the highlights of each and every week. Maybe that says more about me than the pod, but the fact remains that this is a real loss. Please allow me to join what will surely be dozens of GOATs assuring you that if circumstances change, or you reconsider dropping the pod (please please please), we will be eagerly waiting your return!
Selfish thoughts aside, you are a fantastic writer and deserve every bit of success that comes your way. Congratulations on the new position!
Cmon man, very happy for you personally, but you can't leave the pod... there's no other NBA podcast that matches the quality, you gotta re-negotiate the contract man. Feels like the end of Grantland all over again
Firstly, congratulations!
Second, NOOOOOO you and Andrew *are* the GOATs. My Mondays and Fridays will never recover.
Hearing Ben is leaving the pod is genuinely the most devastating thing I've heard in years.
Pure speculation, but does ESPN maybe not allow staff to participate in side media projects such as podcasts? Ben, I really hope you can reconsider leaving the pod if you have the agency to do so, there really is nothing else like it in sports. I'm happy for you but this is such a blow.
Echoing everyone else's sentiments. Happy for you, and selfishly, couldn't be more sad to hear that you'll be leaving the podcast I look forward to new episodes of most. You have such a unique voice and perspective, and frankly, I don't want to hear the basketball opinions of anyone who's eaten a banana.
I would just like to say that after a pretty rough day yesterday, I decided to walk all the way home from Manhattan to Brooklyn just to clear my mind. What accompanied me on that walk was you and Ben reliving the glory of Monday's Spurs/OKC game, and I gotta say, it did make the day better. Will miss the hangs. Big time <3
Wow, congrats on the job. This is some wild and heartbreaking news. I remember where I was when I heard the Open Floor episode announcing your departure from SI, and I’ll remember where I was this morning learning about the end of GOAT.
Happy for you personally, super super sad for the rest of us. The GOAT isn’t just my favorite basketball podcast, isn’t just my favorite sports podcast, it’s my favorite podcast period. Damn.
Man and the press release doesn’t even mention GOAT. What is this erasure!!
Congrats Ben!!! We will miss the GOAT but looking forward to following your journey.
Congratulations, Ben! Hopefully we'll hear you podding out there somewhere soon. Exciting times.
Congratulations Ben!! Will miss you on the pod. But, we get to see you on the big screen! Wish you the best!
Good luck, will be reading on ESPN, going to really miss the podcast
Im so happy for you Ben! Big time congratulations! Hoping ESPN gives you a new pod and maybe even some TV time. They could definitely use your sensible and entertaining takes.