Though in the MMA world, Joe Rogan is largely seen as one of the chief commentators for the UFC, in reality, Rogan’s most successful business venture has been his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, which he has hosted for 11 years and has become one of the most popular podcasts in the world. And now, through a landmark deal with Spotify, Rogan is going to make a king’s ransom.
Yesterday, it was announced that Rogan will be moving his podcast exclusively to the Spotify platform, in a deal that is reportedly worth more than $100 million, per The Wall Street Journal. Rogan himself confirmed the move to Spotify with a statement released on his YouTube channel.
“Hello everybody! I have an announcement. The podcast is moving to Spotify. I signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Spotify that will start on September 1. Starting on September 1, the entire JRE library will be available on Spotify as well as all the other platform, then, somewhere around the end of the year, it will become exclusive to Spotify, including the video version of the podcast. It will be the exact same show. I am not going to be an employee of Spotify. We are going to be working with the same crew doing the exact same show, the only difference will be it will now be available on the largest audio platform in the world. Nothing else will change. It will be free. It will be free to you, you just have to go to Spotify to get it. We’re very excited to begin this new chapter of the JRE and I hope you’re there when we cross over. Thanks.”
Rogan had reportedly been reluctant to host his podcast on the Spotify platform, citing superior revenue generation with other services. However, recently, Spotify has invested heavily in acquiring other media companies and podcasts, making a concerted effort to widen its scope beyond just a music streaming service. Spotify issued a press release yesterday, praising their new partner’s work and citing Rogan’s place in culture as a key factor in their interest in bringing him onto the platform.
“Since its launch in 2009, the pioneering Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) has broken ground and built one of the most loyal and engaged fan bases in the world. Rogan brings his sensibilities as a stand-up comic to the show, and alongside dynamic and diverse guests, he fearlessly broaches far-ranging topics including neuroscience, sports, comedy, health, infectious disease, and our ever-changing culture—all with a mix of curiosity and humor. . .
“Bringing the JRE to Spotify will mean that the platform’s more than 286 million active users will have access to one of culture’s leading voices.”
Rogan’s show will debut on the platform on September 1st, and become exclusive to Spotify sometime later this year.
MUST-READ STORIES
Coma. Khabib Nurmagomedov receives support from Vladimir Putin after father placed in medically induced coma.
Promoter. Dana White not sold that Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou really want to fight each other.
The Monster. Mark Coleman brought to tears after hearing Kevin Randleman was joining UFC Hall of Fame.
Confidence. Darren Till: Israel Adesanya may reconsider TUF role after ‘I burst Robert Whittaker’s head’.
Imanari roll. Eddie Bravo: It was a ‘mistake’ to have me give Tony Ferguson mid-fight coaching.
VIDEO STEW
Most wins in the UFC.
Ronda being Ronda during TUF.
Free fight.
Did Robbie Lawler really beat Carlos Condit?
Woodley ready to return.
LISTEN UP
Eurobash. Interviews with Darren Till and Philip O’Connor.
UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Alistair Overeem, Mike Swick, and Nate Landwehr.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
These guys definitely don’t want to fight each other.
Hello Jonny are you still there? @JonnyBones pic.twitter.com/EWTVgai80X
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 19, 2020
First you can save the rest of your tongue pictures for your other homies and yes I’m right here, just waking up from watching that Derek Lewis fight again. You ain’t scaring nobody, I saw your heart. You’re a big old mouse, I’ll expose you https://t.co/F6FEcc4mGE
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 20, 2020
DC sharing a story about Abdulmanap.
But it’s not gonna be for Jon Jones.
The next day the borders are opened I will be waiting inside the Octagon anywhere in the world #LegendaryPolishPower pic.twitter.com/tyOOCUmZpp
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) May 19, 2020
Ambitious.
— Jason Cruz (@dilletaunt) May 19, 2020
T.J. Dillashaw ain’t making flyweight no more.
Tough but fair.
You hire coaches because they have your best interest at heart. They also are there because as a fighter we sometimes are too tough to quit. So they save you from yourself. You sir are just a moron. Ya let them let you die next time ♂️ you sound tough or ill idk https://t.co/ir37n2bDCs
— Anthony Rocco Martin (@TonyRoccoMartin) May 20, 2020
ESPN approved trash talk.
. @mickeygall running from the https://t.co/kMScyBaJya pic.twitter.com/inK7sgmzGi
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) May 20, 2020
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tyron Woodley (19-4-1) vs. Gilbert Burns (18-3); UFC Fight Night, May 30.
Maria Agapova (8-1) vs. Melissa Gatto (6-0-2); UFC Fight Night, June 13.
Julia Avila (7-1) vs. Karol Rosa (12-3); UFC Fight Night, June 13.
Roxanne Modafferi (24-16) vs. Lauren Murphy (12-4); UFC Fight Night, June 20.
Sara McMann (12-5) vs. Aspen Ladd (9-1); UFC Fight Night, June 27.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Jon Jones: “I want to fight Francis Ngannou.”
Francis Ngannou: “I want to fight Jon Jones.”
The fans: “We want to see Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou fight each other.”
Dana White, man whose job it is to promote interesting fights and often says the UFC is great because they make the fights people want to see: “I don’t know. These guys might not want to fight each other.”
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Do Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou want to fight each other?
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