The music streaming giant has already purchased podcast companies Gimlet and Parcast.
Spotify is in early talks to acquire Bill Simmons‘ media startup The Ringer, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
The deal would be the latest in a succession of purchases by Spotify to bulk up its podcasting business. In addition to a website that covers sports and pop culture, The Ringer has a thriving podcast arm with more than 30 shows, including flagship The Bill Simmons Podcast, Binge Mode and The Watch.
A Spotify spokesman declined to comment. A spokesman for Simmons did not respond to a request for comment.
Simmons started The Ringer in 2016 after he left ESPN — and his Grantland site — following a dispute with the sports network’s then-president John Skipper over comments about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The company has a minority investment from WarnerMedia’s HBO, where Simmons also has a first-look deal for unscripted projects like doc Andre the Giant.
Podcasts have…
