SiriusXM Taps Spotify Legal Chief in Strategic Audio Wars Move

NEW YORK, NY – January 29, 2026 – Sirius XM Holdings Inc. has appointed Eve Konstan, a high-profile legal executive from rival Spotify, as its new Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. The move, effective February 9, 2026, is seen as a significant strategic maneuver, equipping the audio entertainment giant with a veteran of the digital streaming wars as it navigates a complex market and legal landscape.

Konstan will succeed the retiring Richard N. Baer, taking the legal helm at a pivotal moment for the company. Her appointment brings a wealth of experience from the frontlines of digital media, signaling a clear intent by SiriusXM to fortify its legal and strategic capabilities in the ongoing battle for listeners' ears.

A Veteran of the Streaming Wars Joins the Ranks

Eve Konstan is a distinguished figure in media and entertainment law, arriving at SiriusXM directly from her role as General Counsel at Spotify Technology S.A. During her tenure at the global streaming leader, she was responsible for all legal matters, including the high-stakes negotiations for content licensing, intricate mergers and acquisitions, and the defense of intellectual property that are central to the digital music business. Her departure from Spotify to a key competitor underscores the intense competition for top-tier executive talent in the audio sector.

Before her time at Spotify, Konstan spent over two decades in senior legal positions at WarnerMedia Entertainment and HBO, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for both. This deep background in a legacy media powerhouse that successfully transitioned into a direct-to-consumer streaming giant provides her with a unique perspective on managing vast content libraries, navigating global distribution, and overseeing the production of premium original programming.

"Eve brings deep legal expertise across audio and the broader media landscape, and her appointment reinforces the strength of our leadership team during a period of focused execution," said Jennifer Witz, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM, in a statement. "As we continue to advance our strategic priorities, I look forward to partnering with Eve to support the business and help deliver long-term value for our listeners, partners, and shareholders."

Konstan expressed her enthusiasm for joining the company, stating, "I'm pleased to join SiriusXM, an audio entertainment pioneer, as the company builds on its strong momentum and continues to evolve. I look forward to working with Jennifer, the leadership team and the first-rate legal team to support the company's strategic priorities."

Navigating a Shifting Strategic and Legal Landscape

Konstan’s arrival comes as SiriusXM undertakes a strategic recalibration. The company has sharpened its focus on its profitable core business: the in-car satellite radio subscribers that constitute the vast majority of its user base. This shift has come with financial adjustments, including a goal of an additional $200 million in annualized savings, following a year that saw a modest decline in total revenue to $8.70 billion for 2024.

However, this strategic focus does not mean an abandonment of the digital frontier; rather, it necessitates a more calculated approach to streaming and a robust defense of its business practices. Konstan will step into a role that oversees several pressing legal challenges. Most notably, SiriusXM is currently defending itself against a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General in late 2023, which alleges the company employs deliberately burdensome cancellation processes to trap consumers in unwanted subscriptions. This issue is compounded by mass arbitration claims involving tens of thousands of claimants concerning similar practices.

Furthermore, the company is embroiled in licensing negotiations with entities like Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), which sought court intervention in late 2024 over royalty fee rates. These disputes are fundamental to the audio business, and Konstan's extensive experience in content licensing at Spotify and HBO will be immediately put to the test.

Fortifying Content Strategy in a Competitive Arena

Beyond navigating legal headwinds, Konstan's appointment is a clear offensive move to bolster SiriusXM's competitive content strategy. The audio market is dominated by a fierce battle for differentiation, where exclusive content—from blockbuster podcasts to live sports and unique music channels—is the primary currency for attracting and retaining subscribers.

Konstan’s background places her at the nexus of content and law. At Spotify, she was central to the legal framework supporting the company's massive push into podcasting and exclusive artist deals. At HBO, she oversaw the legalities of producing and distributing some of the most acclaimed and valuable television content in history. This expertise is directly transferable to SiriusXM's hybrid model, which combines the curated, lean-back experience of satellite radio with the on-demand nature of its Pandora and SiriusXM streaming apps.

Her experience in M&A will also be critical. As the media landscape continues to consolidate, the ability to legally and strategically vet, acquire, and integrate new companies, content libraries, or technologies is paramount for growth. Her insights gained from one of the industry's most active players will provide SiriusXM with a significant strategic advantage in identifying and executing future opportunities.

Preparing for the Future of Audio Entertainment

This leadership transition also positions SiriusXM to proactively address the next wave of legal and technological disruption. The rise of AI-generated content is creating unprecedented questions around copyright, ownership, and royalties. Stricter data privacy regulations continue to reshape how companies can leverage user information for personalization and advertising. Navigating these emerging issues requires a forward-thinking legal mind steeped in both technology and media.

By bringing in a leader directly from a tech-first audio competitor, SiriusXM is not just filling a vacancy but is also importing invaluable competitive intelligence and a modern strategic playbook. The move reinforces the leadership team under CEO Jennifer Witz, ensuring stability while injecting new, highly relevant expertise. Konstan's appointment signals that for SiriusXM, navigating the complex future of audio entertainment requires not just a strong content library, but also a formidable legal and strategic mind at the helm.