Simmons, Bill — The Ringer, Bill Simmons Media Group

Founder

The Ringer, Bill Simmons Media Group

THE LATEST: Spotify agreed in February to pay nearly $200 million for The Ringer, the sports and pop culture podcast and media business launched by Simmons in 2016. The Ringer produces more than 30 podcasts, including shows by Simmons and personalities such as Larry Wilmore and Ryen Russillo.

BACKGROUND: Simmons began his career in Boston with a column called &The Sports Guy, & which he originally sent to friends via email. The column's popularity landed him a guest columnist job at ESPN.com, and he became one of the site&s most-read contributors. In 2015, he launched Bill Simmons Media Group, which includes podcasts spanning sports, pop culture and technology.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 2

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