Sports Media personality Bill Simmons is preparing to launch a new website called The Ringer.
Although a few hires have been announced, several key details have been kept secret.
But now there’s another development to add to the mix.
Simmons will partner with publishing platform Medium on his new project. The publisher has funded and hosted some original publications including the tech site Backchannel, which is edited by former Wired reporter Steven Levy.
Medium pared back some of its investment in original content last summer, but now it’s reloading in a big way. Simmons becomes their highest-profile content creator to date.
In addition to the brand new website, Simmons is developing a show for HBO, and produces a podcast, in addition to making media appearances to promote his brand.
Throughout his career he’s been revered as an online pioneer. He began producing a blog in the late 1990’s before anyone else knew what the term blogging even meant. He moved to ESPN.com shortly afterward and became the website’s most popular writer. He also helped ESPN develop the “30 for 30” series, and other programs for ESPN Television, and was a member of its NBA pregame show.
His brand value is even stronger when you consider his social media following. Simmons has 538,000 followers on Facebook, and 4.8 million followers on Twitter. After announcing his new site, more than 100,000 people started following The Ringer on Twitter. Responding to a fan on social media who asked “What are the lessons Bill Simmons learned from running Grantland from a business perspective?” Simmons replied “Don’t do it with ESPN.”
Credit to Business Insider who was first to provide this information
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
