Bill Simmons recognized the need for a comprehensive sports and pop culture platform, leading to the creation of Grantland.
Tensions and conflicts between Bill Simmons and ESPN eventually led to his departure and the launch of his own media company, The Ringer.
The Ringer's growth and success in podcasting prompted the decision to sell the company to Spotify for continued growth and scale.
Deep dives
The Birth of Grantland and Evolving ESPN
Bill Simmons pitched the idea of Grantland, a sports and pop culture website, to ESPN, recognizing the need for a more comprehensive and in-depth platform. Grantland brought together talented writers who covered a range of topics, attracting a diverse audience. While the website initially struggled to monetize effectively, it gained cultural significance and served as an epicenter for digital content at ESPN.
Tensions and the Chris Berman Controversy
Friction between Bill Simmons and ESPN grew, partly due to Simmons criticizing other ESPN programming on social media. He also called out Roger Goodell, which resulted in a suspension. These conflicts, along with complaints about compensation, created strain in the relationship between Simmons and ESPN.
Saying Goodbye to ESPN and the Creation of The Ringer
As the tensions escalated, Bill Simmons and ESPN parted ways in 2015. Simmons launched his own media company, The Ringer, which included a website and podcast network. This independent venture allowed Simmons to have more creative control and freedom to cover a wide range of topics, outside the confines of traditional sports media.
The Influence of Grantland and Moving Forward
Grantland, with its innovative approach to sports and pop culture, left a lasting impact on ESPN and digital media. Despite its eventual closure, Grantland showcased the value of in-depth writing and quality journalism in the digital era. Its influence continues to shape online media and the way sports and culture are covered.
The Ringer's Origin and ESPN Departure
Bill Simmons reflects on his departure from ESPN and the opportunities that arose afterwards. Suspended from ESPN for three weeks, Simmons received numerous business offers during that time. Disheartened yet intrigued by the support and suggestions he received, he considered starting his own venture. Prompted by the loss of Grantland, Simmons felt motivated to create a media company and explore opportunities with HBO. However, attempting to do it all simultaneously led to mixed results.
Building The Ringer and the Spotify Acquisition
Simmons discusses the challenges of building The Ringer and explains the decision to sell the company to Spotify. The Ringer initially started with a team of four people and gradually expanded to approximately 40 employees. The podcast quickly became a significant revenue driver. Ultimately, Spotify's acquisition offered an opportunity for growth and scale. Simmons believes in Spotify's potential to dominate the audio industry, and he remains committed to the company's success for the next two years.
Wherever Bill Simmons is, he’s obsessed with helping his team win. During 14 tumultuous years as a creative force at ESPN, that meant launching a slew of influential projects that blended sports and pop culture—including the documentary series 30 for 30, the podcast The B.S. Report, and the multimedia blog Grantland. Today, it means growing his own company, The Ringer, into a major player in the media landscape, with over 50 sports and pop culture podcasts. From his earliest days as one of the most popular sports writers in America, Bill’s journey has had all the drama and conflict of a memorable game, with plenty of good and bad behaviors to learn from...including his own.
