The world of sports podcasting is messy. It’s loud, it’s often unpolished, and if you’re looking for the epicenter of that chaos, you’ll find Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. If you've been following the trajectory of the "The Boys" over the last few years, you've probably asked yourself: who did Bussin With The Boys sign with to reach this level of stardom? The answer isn't just a single name on a dotted line; it’s a story of betting on yourself when the NFL wasn't looking, and then finding a partner that actually understood what "the vibe" meant.
They signed with Barstool Sports.
It sounds simple now, but back in 2019, it was a massive gamble. Will Compton was bouncing around NFL rosters. Taylor Lewan was still anchoring the offensive line for the Tennessee Titans. They weren't "media personalities" yet. They were just two dudes in a custom-fitted bus parked in a Nashville lot, recording conversations that felt more like a locker room than a broadcast studio. When Dave Portnoy and Erika Ayers Badan (then Nardini) saw what they were doing, the deal moved fast. Barstool didn't just buy a show; they bought into a lifestyle that has since redefined how athletes communicate with their fans.
The Barstool Era: Why the Deal Made Sense
Why Barstool? Honestly, who else was going to let them be that unhinged? Most traditional networks like ESPN or FS1 have layers of "suit and tie" approval processes. If Will Compton wanted to spend forty-five minutes talking about the "Tier 1" quality of a specific gas station snack, a corporate executive at a major network would have had a heart attack. Barstool, for all its controversies, provides a playground for that specific brand of authenticity.
The partnership officially kicked off in the summer of 2019. It wasn't a standard acquisition where the creators lose control. Instead, it was a distribution and brand-building powerhouse move. Barstool took over the back-end logistics—the ad sales, the merch (which is where the real money lives), and the massive social media megaphone. This allowed Will and Taylor to focus on the "Bus" itself. They kept the soul of the show while plugging into an infrastructure that knows how to make things go viral.
People often forget how weird the timing was. They signed, started gaining massive steam, and then the world shut down in 2020. While other sports shows were struggling to find content because the games stopped, Bussin thrived. Why? Because the show was never really about the scores. It was about the personalities. They weren't reporting on the NFL; they were living in the periphery of it.
Breaking Down the Contractual Rumors and Extensions
There’s always chatter in the podcasting world about "free agency." Just like in the NFL, fans love to speculate on when a contract is up. For a while, there was intense speculation about whether the Boys would pull a "Call Her Daddy" or a "New Heights" and seek a massive nine-figure payout elsewhere.
However, the bond between the Spittin’ Chiclets crew, the Pardon My Take guys, and the Bussin crew created a "Big Three" of sports podcasting under the Barstool umbrella. While the specific financial terms of their renewals aren't usually blasted across a press release with NFL-style transparency, it’s well-known in the industry that they operate under a heavy revenue-share model. They aren't just employees; they are partners in the brand's growth.
In late 2022 and throughout 2023, as Taylor Lewan moved away from his active playing career following his release from the Titans, the dynamic shifted. He became a full-time media mogul. This transition actually strengthened their position with Barstool. They weren't just a "side project" anymore. They became a flagship. When you ask who did Bussin With The Boys sign with, you have to realize they signed with a platform that allowed them to transition from athletes to owners of their own narrative.
The Power of the Nashville Hub
One of the smartest things about the deal was the geographic independence. Most Barstool talent is centralized in New York or, more recently, Chicago. The Boys stayed in Nashville. This was a non-negotiable part of their identity. Nashville is the "third character" of the show. By signing with a company that allowed them to stay in Tennessee, they maintained their access to the Titans' locker room and the country music scene, which gives the pod a flavor you just can't replicate in a Manhattan studio.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Signing"
There’s a common misconception that they sold the show and walked away. That’s not how these modern creator deals work. If you look at the trademark filings and the way the merchandise is structured, it’s clear this is a symbiotic relationship.
- Barstool owns the distribution rights and the trademark under their corporate umbrella.
- Will and Taylor retain the creative "keys" to the bus.
- The revenue is split across multiple verticals: YouTube ad sense, live tours (like the Beer Games), and the massive clothing line.
When the Beer Games became a massive live event, that was the proof of concept. It showed that "signing" wasn't just about putting a podcast on Spotify. It was about building a "Bussin" universe. They’ve signed sub-deals with brands like Chevy—which is fitting, considering the whole premise is a bus—and various gambling partners through the Barstool/Penn Entertainment (and later DraftKings) ecosystem.
The Evolution of the Partnership
Early on, the audio quality was... let's be kind and call it "raw." You could hear the hum of the AC on the bus. You could hear cars driving by on the interstate. Traditional media companies would have tried to "fix" that. Barstool leaned into it. They realized that the grit was the point.
The guest list also changed after the signing. Suddenly, they weren't just getting Will’s teammates. They were getting guys like Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, and even superstars from outside of football. The Barstool name opened doors that were previously closed, providing a level of legitimacy that allowed them to sit down with some of the biggest names in the world.
But it hasn't always been smooth sailing. Taylor Lewan has been vocal about the stresses of the business side. Being an "employee" of a major media company while also being an "owner" of your brand creates a weird tension. They’ve had to navigate the shifts in Barstool’s own ownership—from the Chernin Group to Penn Entertainment, and then back to Dave Portnoy for a single dollar. Through all those corporate shuffles, Bussin With The Boys remained one of the few untouchable assets.
The Impact on the Podcast Market
Because of who Bussin With The Boys signed with, the entire "athlete-led podcast" genre changed. Before them, athlete pods were often boring, PR-cleansed interviews. Will and Taylor proved that if you sign with a company that values "uncut" content, you can actually build a more loyal fanbase than the NFL itself has.
They paved the way for the Kelce brothers. They paved the way for every benchwarmer with a microphone to think they can be the next big thing. But the difference is the chemistry. You can't manufacture the "for the boys" energy. You either have it or you don't.
Why They Didn't Go Independent
You might wonder why they don't just go 100% independent now. They certainly have the numbers. But the infrastructure required to run a show of this scale—the video editors, the social clips team, the legal team to handle the "wild" things they say—is massive. Staying with a major partner like Barstool allows them to live the "rockstar" life without having to be the "accountant" life.
Key Milestones Since Signing
- The Beer Games: Transforming a podcast joke into a massive live-streamed event that draws hundreds of thousands of concurrent viewers.
- The Chevy Partnership: A multi-million dollar integration that made the "Silverado" synonymous with the pod.
- The Spring Tour: Taking the show to college campuses, proving that their demographic is the coveted 18-35 male audience.
- The Post-Career Pivot: Successfully transitioning Taylor Lewan from a Pro-Bowl tackle to a media powerhouse without losing an ounce of relevance.
The Verdict on the Move
Looking back, the decision of who to sign with was the most pivotal moment in Will and Taylor's post-playing lives. Had they gone to a traditional sports network, the show likely would have been canceled or neutered within six months. By choosing a partner that thrives on "edge," they secured their future.
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They aren't just football players anymore. They are moguls. And while the bus might occasionally break down or get a flat tire, the brand itself is a juggernaut that shows no signs of slowing down. They found a home that let them be exactly who they are: loud, funny, and unapologetically "for the boys."
If you’re looking to follow in their footsteps or just want to understand the business of sports media, the takeaway is clear. It’s not about signing with the biggest company; it’s about signing with the one that won’t try to change you.
Practical Steps for Following the Bussin Journey:
- Watch the YouTube Vlogs: To really understand the deal, you have to see the production value. The vlogs show the behind-the-scenes of the Barstool integration.
- Follow the "Tier 1" Discussions: If you want to see how they integrate sponsors like Chevy or various food brands, pay attention to their "Tier Talk" segments. It's a masterclass in organic ad placement.
- Check Out the Live Shows: If they bring the spring tour to a city near you, go. It’s the best way to see the community they’ve built outside of the digital space.
- Monitor the Barstool Sportsbook/DraftKings Transitions: Since their parent company often shifts gambling partners, watching how the Boys pivot their betting segments provides a look into the high-stakes world of sports gambling sponsorships.