RING THE CHANGES
Huge scramble to sign up Bill Simmons with podcaster ‘set to become free agent’ as Spotify deal comes to end
Simmons founded The Ringer in 2016 and is CEO of the company
SPORTS podcaster Bill Simmons is reportedly set to become a free agent.
The 54-year-old currently fronts The Bill Simmons Podcast on streaming service Spotify.
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Simmons was signed by the Swedish audio giants to a five-year deal in 2020.
His signature was sealed after Spotify acquired Simmons' company The Ringer in a huge $250 million deal.
Simmons has since been named Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization.
But he could be on the move following the expiration of his contract in early 2025, per The New York Post.
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The outlet claims Simmons has undergone "exploratory conversations with other companies."
He has reportedly looked at "the possibility of launching a new platform" away from Spotify.
A source told the Post Simmons is frustrated he "has not had full personnel autonomy" to bring in fresh talent.
However, they add there is an "ongoing dialogue" between the two parties "about the possibility of a new deal."
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"As part of Spotify, The Ringer has enjoyed years of audience growth, format expansion, and increased roles for The Ringer team within Spotify," a Spotify spokesperson told The Post.
"Spotify looks forward to the continuation of this partnership and has no plans to sell The Ringer."
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Simmons, 54, is a former sportswriter for ESPN.
He joined the network in 2001, working on the popular sports blog Grantland until 2015.
The Massachusetts native also presented a podcast on ESPN and was an analyst on NBA Countdown.
Simmons founded The Ringer in 2016 and currently serves as its CEO.
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The company was brought under the Spotify umbrella four years later.
Spotify signed up Simmons alongside fellow podcasters Joe Rogan, Prince Harry, and Barack Obama.
Last month, Simmons divided NBA fans after claiming the NFL is "more fun" to watch.
"The playoffs weren’t good," he said on The Bill Simmons Podcast.
“We had a lot of injuries, and I think people were more unhappy than happy with it.
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"And I love basketball the most, and I was like, ‘I’m ready for football. I’m ready to throw myself in. I’m ready for Week 1 NFL.’
"Football’s more fun, it’s a more smartly put-together sport at this point than basketball."