Spotify Exec Bill Simmons Rips Into Meghan & Harry After Their Podcast Deal Implodes: “F***ing Grifters”

Spotify executive Bill Simmons dragged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on his podcast Friday for reneging on their podcast deal with the platform, referring to them as “f–king grifters.”

The Sussexes have parted ways with Spotify after signing a deal reportedly worth $20 million three years ago. The deal was made for their production company, Archewell.

Spotify has been increasing its spending on podcasting in a push that has seen the audio streaming platform scale back on staff through layoffs while promoting new talent. It still, however, has Joe Rogan and a few other big name hosts on its podcast roster.

Simmons, who sold The Ringer—which he still runs—to Spotify in 2020 for roughly $200 million, is also Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization at Spotify, made the comments on his eponymous podcast.

“The f-cking grifters. That’s the podcast we shoulda launched with them,” he said. “I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It’s one of my best stories.”

You can listen to Simmons making the comments below in a clip that was posted to Twitter:

The former Royals’ Archewell banner also produced Markle’s Archetypes podcast, which was canceled after one season. It spoke on the roadblocks that society and culture have constructed that have made forward progress for women more difficult. Guest commentators included Trevor Noah, Mariah Carey, Mindy Kaling and Serena Williams.

WME reps both Markle and Archewell.

Simmons previously blasted Meghan and Harry in January, even while they were still under contract with Spotify. At the time, he had said it was “embarrassing” to be affiliated with the same company.

“Shoot this guy to the sun. I’m so tired of this guy,” said Simmons according to The Big Lead. “What does he bring to the table? He just whines about sh-t and keeps giving interviews. Who gives a sh-t? Who cares about your life? You weren’t even the favorite son. … You live in f-cking Montecito and you just sell documentaries and podcasts and nobody cares what you have to say about anything unless you talk about the royal family and you just complain about them.”