Bill Simmons, the renowned blogger-turned-podcasting maven, recently had some sharp remarks for Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, following their controversial withdrawal from the music streaming giant, Spotify.
Last Thursday, it was announced that Harry and Meghan’s much-publicized $20 million deal with Spotify had fizzled out. Naturally, the incident was shrouded in corporate jargon, masking the real reasons behind the cancellation after only a single episode of Meghan’s podcast, “Archetypes.”
Simmons, however, pulled no punches. As Spotify’s head of global sports content, a position he assumed in May 2022 after Spotify purchased his podcast network “The Ringer,” Simmons holds substantial clout within the organization. His candid remarks, therefore, hold significant weight.
During a recent episode of his eponymous podcast, Simmons, known for his frank banter about sports and pop culture, unleashed a wave of criticism directed at the royal couple. In an unexpected diversion from his typical NBA trade value conversation, he voiced his disdain for the pair’s business antics.
“I wish I had been involved in the Meghan and Harry-leaves-Spotify negotiations,” he expressed. His mockery continued as he dubbed the duo “grifters,” jesting that it should’ve been the title of their podcast.
Simmons shared his intentions to unveil a tale about an apparently disastrous Zoom call with Prince Harry, a story he jokingly suggested would require him to be inebriated to narrate.
It’s worth mentioning that Simmons has a history of criticism toward the couple, particularly Prince Harry, whom he has previously branded as a whiner with no real contribution to society. He has even referred to the Duke as the “Fredo” (from ‘The Godfather’ franchise) of the royal family.
Simmons’s sentiments sparked a divide among social media users, with some siding with his critique and others rallying to the royal couple’s defense.
While these remarks may be a touch scathing, they reflect a sense of disappointment and frustration that many share about the royal couple’s conduct, particularly regarding their business deals. This debacle, much like others involving the pair, underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and commitment, values that conservative thinkers and readers highly cherish. It also serves as a reminder that no one, not even royals, is immune to scrutiny when it comes to ethical business practices.
