What Happened to The Ringer?

The Ringer was launched on March 14, 2016, by veteran sportswriter and media personality Bill Simmons, following his departure from ESPN. Simmons brought along several former colleagues from his previous ESPN-owned venture, Grantland, establishing The Ringer as a hub for in-depth analysis and commentary on sports and popular culture. Initially, HBO, where Simmons hosted a weekly television program, was an investor in the website. The Ringer quickly gained traction, particularly for its burgeoning podcast network, which became a significant revenue driver. By 2018, its podcast ad sales reportedly topped $15 million, accounting for most of its revenue, and Simmons stated the company was profitable.

A key turning point for The Ringer's operational structure occurred in May 2017 when it partnered with Vox Media for advertising sales and utilized Vox's Chorus publishing platform. The company also made headlines in May 2018 for breaking the story about Philadelphia 76ers GM Bryan Colangelo's alleged use of burner Twitter accounts, which ultimately led to his resignation. In August 2019, 66 of The Ringer's 90 editorial staff members voted to unionize with the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), with management voluntarily recognizing the union shortly after.

The most significant development came on February 5, 2020, when Spotify announced its acquisition of The Ringer for an estimated $195 million, with potential additional performance-driven incentives of up to $55 million. This acquisition was a strategic move by Spotify to bolster its podcasting content and establish a 'flagship sports audio network,' with Bill Simmons taking on a role as head of podcast innovation and monetization for Spotify. The deal allowed The Ringer to leverage Spotify's scale and discovery power, while Spotify gained a robust content library and a proven editorial team. In April 2021, The Ringer's writers and producers ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with Gimlet Media and The Ringer, securing a minimum base salary of $57,000 for staff over three years.

As of 2026, The Ringer remains a vibrant and evolving media company under Spotify's ownership. Its content continues to span a wide range of topics, including NFL, NBA, movies, TV, and broader pop culture. A notable recent development occurred in October 2025 when Netflix acquired a number of Ringer video podcasts, including 'The Bill Simmons Show,' 'The Rewatchables,' and 'The Zach Lowe Show,' for exclusive video distribution on its platform, with airing commencing in January 2026. Further solidifying its impact, 'Good Hang with Amy Poehler,' one of The Ringer's most popular podcasts, received the inaugural Golden Globe Award for Best Podcast in January 2026. The Ringer continues to publish articles and podcasts daily, covering current events in sports and entertainment, as evidenced by its 2026 content on MLB playoffs, NBA offseason, and fantasy football rankings.