ESPN ends Grantland website 5 months after Simmons leaves

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) ESPN has ended the Grantland website five months after founding editor Bill Simmons left the company.

The cable network announced the closing Friday, saying it plans to focus on projects with a ''broader and more significant impact across our enterprise.''

Simmons and ESPN parted ways in May. Simmons had served as a sports columnist, TV host and analyst. ESPN this month laid off 300 employees.

ESPN says Grantland ''distinguished itself with quality writing, smart ideas, original thinking and fun. We are grateful to those who made it so.''

Simmons agreed to join HBO in July and his contract officially started this month. He will host a weekly talk show starting next year. He'll also deliver video podcasts, features and consult with HBO Sports.