Bill Simmons

Bill Simmons first emerged in the sports journalism scene as "The Boston Sports Guy" before being recruited by ESPN in 2001. While at ESPN, Simmons made substantial contributions to their digital media presence, leading successful projects such as the website Grantland and his popular podcast "The B.S. Report". His talents weren't limited to the digital world, however, as he served as an analyst for two years on NBA Countdown. Simmons' innovative approach to sports journalism manifested in the conception of the "30 for 30" documentary series, which he co-created with Connor Schell, and served as executive producer until his departure from ESPN in 2015.

In 2011, Simmons took on the role of editor-in-chief of Grantland, a sports and pop culture website launched by ESPN. He further proved his versatility as a media producer by launching "The Grantland Basketball Hour," a primetime show for ESPN. His association with ESPN ended in 2015, after which he signed a multi-platform deal with HBO. This deal led to the creation of "Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons," a weekly talk show that aired for one season in 2016. Simmons' affiliation with HBO continued, leading to his co-production of a documentary on André the Giant, which aired on HBO on April 10, 2018.

Simmons' entrepreneurial spirit came to the fore when he founded The Ringer, a sports and pop culture website, under the Bill Simmons Media Group. His success as a media mogul was further recognized when The Ringer was purchased by Spotify for approximately $200 million in February 2020. Simmons continues to host "The Bill Simmons Podcast" at The Ringer, featuring interviews with Hollywood personalities, professional athletes, and media pundits. "The Bill Simmons Podcast" launched on Netflix on January 11th, 2026, marking the platform's first video podcast since it announced a strategy shift in 2025. His written works, including the books "Now I Can Die in Peace" and "The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy," have topped The New York Times Best Seller list, cementing his influence in sports media.