Bill Simmons is expected to run it back.
Simmons is closing on a new deal to remain with The Ringer and parent company Spotify, Front Office Sports has confirmed. Semafor first reported that Simmons is “set to renew” his contract, which was set to expire next month.
There had been hints that Simmons was staying. Sources told FOS that Simmons has been involved in the recruitment of talent who would work for The Ringer well beyond the expiration of his deal in February. He also had said on his podcast that he was excited to have Todd McShay’s NFL Draft coverage on the platform this year.
Spokespeople for Simmons and Spotify did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Simmons founded The Ringer in 2016 and sold it to Spotify for $250 million in 2020. He was later given the title Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization at Spotify, the Swedish audio behemoth.
There have been murmurs in industry circles that Simmons could work out a collaboration for a return to ESPN in some capacity in the future. ESPN leadership, including chairman Jimmy Pitaro and president of content Burke Magnus, have been aggressive in maneuvering to work with big stars.
According to a source with knowledge of ESPN, nothing is imminent, but the company would be open to working with Simmons again if there’s a compelling opportunity. An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment.
Beyond his podcast at ESPN, Simmons spearheaded Grantland, in many ways the spiritual predecessor of The Ringer. He also co-created the 30 for 30 documentary series with former ESPN executive Connor Schell, and was an analyst for two seasons on NBA Countdown. He was fired by former ESPN president John Skipper in 2015 after making remarks critical of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
I reported last year that Simmons was a looming free agent, and there was some friction with Spotify management over his autonomy to recruit and sign talent. A spokesperson for Simmons dismissed that report as “incorrect and idle speculation” at the time, while a Spotify spokesperson said the company was looking forward to continuing its partnership with The Ringer.
One of the companies that Simmons had exploratory conversations with during the months of his expiring contract was Fanatics, sources told FOS.
