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

The Bill Simmons Podcast · August 21, 2026

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

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

The Bill Simmons Podcast

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 The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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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 The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Published
August 21, 2026
Status
active
GUID hash
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Archive key
derek-thompson-on-the-american-sports-plutocracy-the-nba-s-2016-black-swan-event-and-the-w--entry_248d29758dec968ea8ca2ced8b5c
Archive id
entry_248d29758dec968ea8ca2ced8b5c