Ryen Russillo departs The Ringer: What’s next for the sports media vet

After a successful six-year run at The Ringer, former ESPN radio mainstay Ryen Russillo is preparing to chart a new course. The veteran sports commentator is set to launch his own digital production company, backed by Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports, a move that could reshape his media influence and distribution strategy.

A New Media Chapter Begins

Ryen Russillo’s long-standing affiliation with The Ringer, a sports and pop-culture site founded by Bill Simmons, will come to an end when his contract expires later this year.

During his tenure there, Russillo hosted the “The Ryen Russillo Podcast”, contributed to The Bill Simmons Podcast, and maintained a strong presence across Spotify and Apple’s podcast charts.

The Barstool Partnership: What’s Actually Happening

According to sources at Front Office Sports, Russillo is nearing the final stages of launching his own production company, with Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports poised to invest . The planned multi-year agreement is expected to facilitate content distribution, monetization, merchandise, and infrastructure for his new venture.

Portnoy himself alluded to the partnership in a tweet:

“I will not confirm or deny this report. But gun to head I’d probably confirm it.”
He also reposted a clip from Russillo’s podcast with the caption: “Welcome to the family @ryenrussillo.”

From ESPN to The Ringer to Independence

Russillo’s broadcasting roots trace back to ESPN, where he co-hosted popular shows like SVP & Russillo, The Russillo Show, and ESPN Radio’s GameDay coverage.

In 2019, he made the transition to The Ringer, joining Bill Simmons to expand his podcasting reach. Now, with his own digital entity supported by Barstool, Russillo is primed for a fresh, independent chapter in sports media.

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Strategic Advantages of the Shift

This move places Russillo in a strong position:

• Creative control: His own platform allows complete content autonomy.
• Broader reach: Barstool’s distribution capabilities could amplify his voice across multiple channels.
• Monetization streams: The partnership includes merchandise and infrastructure support, potentially increasing his financial opportunities.

Many view this as part of an ongoing shift in sports media, where personalities leverage independence while aligning with powerful networks for reach and resources.

What It Means for The Ringer

Russillo’s departure ends a prominent era for The Ringer. As a trusted voice in sports commentary, his exit may leave a gap in audience engagement and podcast popularity.

However, The Ringer continues to evolve, recently adding respected NBA analyst Zach Lowe to its lineup, suggesting the platform is ready to reinvest and refresh its content strategy.

Looking Ahead: What Fans Can Expect

Expect Russillo’s new venture to blend:

• Podcasting content remastered for a digital-first audience.
• Cross-platform integration with Barstool, including video, social, and potentially live events.
• Branded merchandise and monetization, riding on his established athletic insight and fan base.

This leap mirrors broader trends where independent media production and strategic partnerships define the future of content creation in sports.

Ryen Russillo’s exit from The Ringer underscores his willingness to bet on himself. With Barstool Sports at his side, Russillo steps into a new era of autonomy, control, and potential growth.