Approximately one month after The Ringer dismissed former president Eric Weinberger, the company has named a new top executive. CEO Bill Simmons announced on Thursday that Geoff Chow will fill the position. Chow currently serves as The Ringer’s chief operating officer and will also remain in that role while assuming his new duties.
The company’s president position opened up when Weinberger was let go, three months after he was suspended for sexual harassment allegations going back to his days as an executive producer with NFL Network.
Chow joined The Ringer in late 2015, coming over from Deluxe Entertainment where he served as the post-production company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.
“Geoff came in 27 months ago and within a few weeks it felt like he’s been working with us since the Grantland days,” Simmons said in an official statement. “He’s one of the smartest people I have ever worked with.”
Along with Chow moving up, several other editors received promotions at The Ringer Thursday. Sean Fennessey, currently the company’s editor-in-chief, was also named chief content officer. Editor Chris Ryan, who also hosts the popular “The Watch” podcast, has been named editorial director for all Ringer content.
She waited, and waited, and waited….but in the end, @MalloryRubin‘s #NFLDraft dreams came true. #RingerNFL pic.twitter.com/NzF7N2sAmc
— The Ringer (@ringer) April 27, 2018
Additionally, deputy editor Mallory Rubin — who was very happy about the Baltimore Ravens selecting Lamar Jackson with the final pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft first round — is being promoted to executive editor. And managing editor Juliet Litman is moving up to head of production for Ringer content.
“We’re keeping the band together and we couldn’t be happier about it,” said Simmons. “I’ve been working with Chris and Juliet since 2011 and then Sean and Mallory shortly after — it’s been fantastic to watch them blossom into leaders and creative forces. I would have never wanted to do this company without them. […] It’s an incredible inner circle and the biggest reason why we’re going to keep growing and thriving.”
According to THR’s Natalie Jarvey, The Ringer has also signed with CAA to help pursue business opportunities in digital content, scripted and non-scripted television, branded content, live events and publishing. The company’s podcast network continues to grow, adding The Dave Chang Show hosted by the acclaimed chef this week. And Ringer Films helped produce the Andre the Giant documentary that aired earlier this month on HBO.
About Ian Casselberry
Ian is a writer, editor, and podcaster. You can find his work at Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He's written for Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation.