Stadio, the world soccer podcast hosted by Musa Okongwa and Ryan Hunn, is leaving The Ringer. The final episode as part of the Spotify-owned network was released Tuesday.
The Ringer signed Stadio in 2020 after the company’s acquisition by Spotify. It was a newsy time in world soccer as protests broke out against the Super League and the sport prepared for a controversial World Cup in Qatar. As documented in its mantra of “football, done differently,” Stadio made a point of covering the game on and off the pitch.
But The Ringer’s evolution into video has brought several changes to the company, and certain shows may no longer fit the network’s strategy. Stadio, which was recorded remotely in Europe, would have been hard to turn into a polished video product under The Ringer umbrella, which is based in Los Angeles.
Okongwa and Hunn announced the move Tuesday on the show while teasing big plans for the future.
“It just feels like the right time for us to step out into the big, scary world of podcasts,” Hunn said.
Hunn also produced the Wrighty’s House podcast for The Ringer, while Okongwa contributed written work. Wrighty’s House posted a season finale episode on June 3.
“Thanks to everyone who has listened and supported Stadio so far, we hope you like what we’ve got planned,” the hosts wrote in a thread on X.
Ringer founder Bill Simmons, who re-upped with Spotify earlier this year, reportedly is leading Spotify’s push into video. Last week, Spotify laid off 15 people in its audio division as part of the transition, including two Ringer staffers.
The company has inked deals with comedian Amy Poehler and NBA analyst Zach Lowe this year for highly produced video podcasts.