Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Spotify Users Grow As Sports Content Ramps Up

  • Spotify grew its listener base by over 20 percent, while improving its ad monetization in the second quarter.
  • The company has steadily added sports content to its catalogue of audio offerings.
Spotify/Design: Alex Brooks

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Spotify doubled its ad revenue from a year ago as it continues to invest heavily in sports audio.

The 15-year-old audio streaming company posted $2.75 billion in Q2 revenue, a 17% bump from the same period last year. Monthly subscribers rose 20% to 165 million, and active ad-supported users were up 24% to 210 million.

The company’s ad revenue rocketed up 110% year-over-year to $324.4 million. Ad sales increased 28% from Q1, despite only 1% growth among users with ad-supported memberships.

While it started with a heavy focus on music, Spotify has sought new users through sports content.

  • In March, Spotify made sports a centerpiece of its live audio push by acquiring Locker Room and its creator, Betty Labs. The app relaunched as “Spotify Greenroom” in June.
  • In February 2020, Spotify acquired The Ringer and its 30+ sports and culture podcasts for $196 million. 
  • Last August, Spotify and Riot Games partnered to create a hub for “League of Legends” esports podcasts.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek would like to take his sports ties a step further. Ek, who has a net worth of $4 billion, put together a $2.83 billion bid for Arsenal FC. The offer was rebuffed by owner Stan Kroenke.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Zach Lowe Sean Fennessey The Ringer

Substack: No Deal With The Ringer, Even As Talent Flocks to Platform

Zach Lowe is the latest Ringer talent to launch a Substack newsletter.
NBC Sports Logo

Comcast-NBCUniversal Split Comes With $1B Cost, Layoffs

The NBC Sports parent company will take on a hefty restructuring charge.
First at FOS

Massachusetts Reviewing Bill Simmons’s Proxy Betting Admission

Simmons said he had his daughter’s boyfriend place bets for him.
Jan 18, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports broadcast microphone before the game between the Oregon Ducks against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Steven Ruiz Leaving The Ringer for Fox Sports

Ruiz had been with The Ringer since 2021.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/28/26 – Brewers Economy on Fire, Knicks and Rangers Split, Who Will Join Jay-Z at Halftime?

0:00

Featured Today

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ernie Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Ernie Johnson Leaving ‘Inside the NBA’ After 37 Years

He’ll still be around for March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS.
October 27, 2026

Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Hiring Troy Aikman ‘Very Possible’

Jones and Aikman spoke on the field Monday night.
Sep 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Broadcaster Pat McAfee prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 27, 2026

ESPN Stands by McAfee’s ‘Very Real and Valid’ Concerns

An ESPN spokeswoman says the network takes all threats very seriously.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
October 27, 2026

WNBA Finals Game 6 Will Test Daytime Sports Viewership

The Valkyries would clinch the WNBA Finals with a win Thursday.
Worldwidewob
Exclusive
October 27, 2026

Why World Wide Wob Walked Away From NBA Twitter

He’s “still covering L.A. police chases daily on Twitch.”
Oct 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter at Ford Field.
October 26, 2026

Tom Brady Candidly Questioned Officiating in Packers-Lions

Fox’s officiating expert backed him up.
October 24, 2026

Troy Aikman Says He’d Consider Role With Cowboys

Aikman welcomes conversations with Jerry Jones as his ESPN contract nears expiration.