Since The New York Post first reported that Bill Simmons’ contract with Spotify is set to expire in early 2025, there hasn’t been much buzz about The Ringer founder’s potential free agency. However, Semafor recently indicated that Simmons likely intends to remain at the streaming giant when his current contract ends next month. According to two sources familiar with the situation, he is poised to renew his deal and is engaged in long-term projects that extend beyond his current agreement.
As per Semafor’s Monday edition, “One person familiar with Simmons’ plans told Semafor that he has recently been engaged in long-term projects that take him beyond his current deal.” Notably, neither Simmons, his spokesperson, nor Spotify has responded to multiple requests for comment. This news comes more than five months after The New York Post‘s Ryan Glasspiegel reported that Simmons’ five-year contract with Spotify was set to expire in early 2025. After selling The Ringer to Spotify for a reported $250 million in 2020, Simmons holds the title of “Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization” and hosts various podcasts, including The Bill Simmons Podcast.
The original report from the Post indicated that Simmons had held “exploratory” discussions with other companies regarding the possibility of launching a new platform. Additionally, it was noted that he had privately expressed frustration about Spotify’s corporate structure, which limited his personnel autonomy to add desired talents or shows. At that time, a Simmons spokesperson dismissed such reports as “incorrect and idle speculation.”
Despite Simmons’ prominent status in sports media, the notion of him leaving Spotify never gained significant traction—even with NBC and Amazon poised to become NBA media rights partners soon. Ultimately, it seems unlikely that he will depart, as he is expected to re-sign with Spotify and is already involved in projects beyond the expiration of his current contract.
