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The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Bill Simmons Podcast

Derek Thompson on the American Sports Plutocracy, the NBA’s 2016 Black Swan Event, and the WNBA’s Growing Pains

The Bill Simmons Podcast · Aug 21, 2026 · 1:40:02

0:001:40:02

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The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Derek Thompson to discuss the finances of sports and the developing story of Mark Walter's Lakers sale. Then, they discuss the 2016 NBA cap spike before ending with their WNBA theories.



(0:00) Intro

(2:10) American sports plutocracy and Mark Walter

(42:28) 2016 NBA cap spike

(01:05:39) WNBA growing pains



Host: Bill Simmons

Guest: Derek Thompson

Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo



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Episodes: The Bill Simmons Podcast

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