The new Bill Simmons media empire is taking shape
The Bill Simmons Media Group is apparently a thing.
And following ESPN’s shuttering of Grantland last month, Simmons appears to be making more big moves.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Lesley Goldbery reported Sunday that Simmons, since departed from the Worldwide Leader, has hired former NFL Network producer Eric Weinberger to be president of the newly-formed Bill Simmons Media Group.
As president, Weinberger will build a new content website and podcast network, a concept which might ring familiar to Grantland fans.
According to THR, Weinberger will also be “developing scripted and nonscripted projects, shortform, digital content and other projects as part of Simmons’s first-look deal for HBO and HBO Now.’’ An executive producer with the NFL Network since 2003, Weinberger will also be the executive producer of Simmons’s upcoming 2016 HBO TV show.
“I can’t wait to start working with Eric. He’s a talented guy with an impeccable reputation, someone who is uniquely equipped to help me build an innovative multimedia company from scratch,’’ Simmons told THR. “We’re both beyond excited to start brainstorming about my show and other HBO Sports projects as well. I know from experience that you’re only as good as the people around you, and Eric is one of the very best.’’
Former Grantland editor Sean Fennessey, who Simmons re-hired in October, tweeted the news Monday afternoon.
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Simmons joined HBO, and returned to podcasting, in October, after ESPN decided not to renew his contract in May. Along with Fennessey, he has also re-hired former Grantland editors Mallory Rubin and Chris Ryan, and writer Juliet Litman.
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