• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 5, 2025

The Ringer Bolsters NBA Coverage with Jackie MacMullan Hire

  • MacMullan is set to debut on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” Sept. 17.
  • The Ringer has recently faced criticism for its lack of gender and racial diversity.
The Ringer Brings on Jackie MacMullan to Bolster NBA Coverage
ESPN

Sports and pop culture outlet The Ringer is bringing on acclaimed NBA writer Jackie MacMullan. She’ll make her debut as a staffer on the Sept. 17 episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” the outlet’s flagship show. 

MacMullan — like much of The Ringer’s staff under Simmons — has Boston roots. She began her professional career as an intern at the Boston Globe in 1982 and was named the paper’s first female columnist in 2002. She remained on staff at the Globe into early 2008, after which she began freelancing.

From 1995-2000, she also covered the NBA as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. Over the last two decades, MacMullan has co-authored multiple books in collaboration with NBA players, including Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal.

MacMullan, 59, has written for ESPN’s various properties since joining ESPN Boston in 2010. She has also been a regular panelist on ESPN’s “Around the Horn” — making more than 700 appearances — and made appearances on the gamut of ESPN’s other shows. 

She has also signed a multi-year extension with ESPN, according to an announcement from the media company.

In 2010, she became the first — and still only — female recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2019, MacMullan received the PEN/ESPN Lifetime Achievement Award for Literary Sports Writing, again the first female recognized with the honor, and was selected for The Association for Women in Sports Media’s highest honor the same year.

MacMullan previously appeared on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” in a May 2019 episode called “NBA Then and Now With Jackie MacMullan.” According to The Sports Business Journal, MacMullan will host her own narrative podcast and make appearances on others, including “The Book of Basketball,” “The Ringer NBA Show” and “The Ryen Russillo Podcast.”

The Ringer, which was bought by Spotify for about $200 million in February, has recently faced criticism from both internal and external parties over its lack of gender and racial diversity throughout all aspects of its operation. Its employees also recently unionized and are in negotiations for higher pay, equity and transparency within the company. 

This isn’t the only splashy hire The Ringer has made in recent months, including former MLB All-Star CC Sabathia and former NBA player Raja Bell in July. Former NFL player Ryan Shazier was also announced as a new hire last week, on the day he retired, as well as NFL betting analyst Warren Sharp and broadcaster Cole Wright. 

Over the summer, the company also added former New England Patriots beat writer at the Boston Globe Nora Princiotti and Kaelen Jones — formerly of The Athletic — to bolster NFL coverage, and former NBC Sports Golden State Warriors reporter Logan Murdock. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”

Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest

George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.
Jun 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field.

Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Put on Paid Leave Amid MLB Probe

Reports say the investigation is tied to gambling.

Everything You Need to Know About EA’s Return to College Basketball Video..

There hasn’t been a college basketball game in more than 15 years.

Featured Today

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.