After months of speculation about his contract status, Ryen Russillo’s future is becoming clearer. His days with The Ringer are coming to an end.
As first reported by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, Russillo will depart Bill Simmons’ digital network at the conclusion of his deal and pivot toward launching his own production company. The venture will house his popular podcast and is being backed financially by Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports.
Russillo joined The Ringer in 2019 after a decade-long run at ESPN. He consistently delivered impact for the brand, but has been increasingly transparent about his looming free agency. On a recent podcast episode, Russillo addressed the uncertainty about his future, foreshadowing his decision to move on.
Portnoy confirmed the partnership last night on social media. The new business venture could be one of the more fascinating collaborations in the sports media landscape moving forward. Barstool’s reach has expanded significantly in recent years, buoyed by its new partnership with FS1 and Portnoy’s on-air presence as part of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff college football coverage.
For Russillo, aligning with Portnoy represents both a business play and a creative one. The move raises questions about what comes next — whether it’s simply Russillo maintaining his podcast under a new banner, joining Barstool’s growing video lineup, or even collaborating directly with Portnoy on new projects.
Either way, Russillo is betting on himself. In an industry where top personalities are increasingly taking ownership of their content, his decision underscores the shifting dynamics between talent and legacy platforms.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
