News: Ryen Russillo, ESPN, John Fanta and more

Ryen Russillo is reportedly poised to launch a digital production company; ESPN has revealed new contributors to studio shows; and John Fanta is joining NBC Sports. Plus news on Skip Bayless, Robert Griffin III, Scott Clark and MLB Network.

Russillo reportedly to launch digital production company

Longtime sports talk host Ryen Russillo is reportedly set to launch his own digital production company upon the expiration of his deal with The Ringer, Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported Wednesday. Russillo, who has been a member of the Spotify-owned digital entity since 2019, is said to be “closing in on a commercial deal for a strategic multi-year partnership” with Barstool Sports that would include distribution, monetization, merchandise and other infrastructure within the company. Per Glasspiegel, the deal has not been finalized but is “inside the five-yard line.”

Russillo has spoken about his contract nearing an end on numerous occasions over the last several months, including recent remarks on his podcast where he acknowledged opportunities but “professional uncertainty.”

Russillo has hosted an eponymous podcast with The Ringer and been a frequent guest on shows hosted by founder Bill Simmons. Prior to his time with The Ringer, he worked for ESPN and co-hosted radio programming with Scott Van Pelt and Danny Kanell. Russillo remained a member of the national radio lineup until the end of 2017 when he proceeded to contribute to podcasting and also appeared on television programs. Approximately two years later, he left the network to join Simmons at The Ringer where he has built his podcast across multiple platforms.

Earlier in the summer, Spotify reportedly laid off 5% of its workforce at The Ringer and Spotify Studios within its podcast division, said to represent 15 employees. The roles eliminated were reported as being “reallocated to support Spotify’s video podcast push,” according to a report from Todd Spangler of Variety.

“Bussin’ with the Boys” to appear on select ESPN programming

The “Bussin’ with the Boys” independent podcast is continuing its expansion under a new deal with ESPN. Former NFL players and hosts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton will primarily appear on “Get Up” alongside host Mike Greenberg, the first of which will occur on Thursday, Sept. 4. Lewan and Compton will also be on select episodes of “SportsCenter,” along with other ESPN studio content.

ESPN also announced its NFL programming lineup this week, including the return of Randy Moss full time to “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Moss had taken a leave of absence in December to deal with a health issue before returning on Super Bowl Sunday. He will work with colleagues Mike Greenberg, Tedy Bruschi, Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and Erin Dolan as the show broadcasts from a studio in New York City.

ESPN’s “NFL Live” studio program will expand to two hours on Mondays and regularly emanate from the location of “Monday Night Football.” These versions of the show will include journalist Peter Schrager alongside Laura Rutledge, Ryan Clark, Mina Kimes, Dan Orlovsky, Marcus Spears and Adam Schefter. Clark, Spears and Schefter will subsequently join Scott Van Pelt and Jason Kelce, for “Monday Night Countdown” starting at 6 PM ET. The program will begin at 5 PM ET during weeks (2, 4, 6, 7) in which multiple “Monday Night Football” games air on the same night.

Chris Berman and Booger McFarland will be working together again on “NFL Primetime” Sunday nights on ESPN+. In addition, Sal Paolantonio is preparing to host his 23rd year of “NFL Matchup” and will work alongside Darius Butler and Greg Cosell.

Fanta to join NBC Sports

NBC Sports announced Wednesday that it is hiring John Fanta as a college basketball play-by-play voice and occasional courtside reporter on NBA games. Fanta will serve as the lead voice of Big East games on Peacock and call action in the Big Ten and Big 12. He is not new to NBC Sports, having called men’s basketball games on Peacock last season.

Outside of basketball coverage, Fanta will also make contributions to college football broadcasts this fall. Some of his responsibilities will include providing game break updates during Big Ten and Notre Dame broadcasts on NBC and Peacock.

“It’s an absolute thrill to join the NBC Sports family in full force and I couldn’t be more excited to jump right in this week on college football game breaks,” Fanta said in a statement. “In the world of college basketball, to play a role in the soundtrack of NBC Sports’ coverage, featuring some of the biggest games and best atmospheres across the country, is a joy for the sport that I got my start in.”

Fanta arrives at the company after a stint at Fox Sports where he served as a national college basketball broadcaster and reporter.

Plus: Skip Bayless, Robert Griffin III, Scott Clark, MLB Network

• Former FS1 commentator Skip Bayless is joining Gilbert Arenas for a new football program that will be produced and owned by Underdog, according to a report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. This program, titled “The Arena: Gridiron,” will feature former NFL coach Jay Gruden, cornerback Aqib Talib and social media personality Kinsey Wolanski, along with guests such as Gerald McCoy and Cody Kessler.
• Fox Sports has announced that former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is joining the company as a game analyst on college football coverage. Griffin, who will make his debut on the Baylor-Auburn game on Friday at 8 PM ET, will be part of a new broadcast team that features play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti and incoming sideline reporter Alexa Landestoy.
• As part of a reorganization within its production group, ESPN is promoting Scott Clark to a role of vice president and executive producer under which he will oversee “SportsCenter,” “ESPN BET Live” and “Fantasy Football Now.” Clark has worked for ESPN since 1999 and will have several reports who lead other editions of “SportsCenter,” including James Dunn, Johann Castillo and Tom DeCorte.
• The “MLB Central” cast of Mark DeRosa, Lauren Shehadi and Robert Flores will call an MLB Network Showcase game on Thursday at 6:45 PM ET as the Atlanta Braves face the Philadelphia Phillies. This will mark the second time in two seasons that the trio will take part in a “Showcase” game telecast, which occurs after it celebrated 1,000 shows together this summer.