The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons shares some early NBA reactions before giving out his Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 16 (3:00), before he is joined by actor William Zabka to discuss Season 3 of ‘Cobra Kai.’ They talk about making the platform switch to Netflix, successfully rebooting a classic franchise, Zabka’s character (Johnny Lawrence) switching from antagonist in the film franchise to protagonist in the TV show, Season 3 excitement, and more (23:00). Finally Bill talks with The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis and WSJ’s Jason Gay for another edition of the Sports Repodders. They discuss COVID-19’s major blow to the sports media industry, how sports media innovated when there were no sports to cover, a look back at the 2020 NFL draft, sports gambling permeating mainstream sports culture, the evolution of the relationship between athlete and journalist, and more (56:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo and Joe House on the eve of the 2020-21 NBA season for the annual NBA over/unders podcast. They make their picks for win totals in both the Eastern (2:00) and Western conferences (1:30:00), MVP, rookie of the year, most-improved candidates, and more! (2:52:00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal and Sean Fennessey to briefly discuss the Jets' win over the Rams, possibly ruining their "Tank for Trevor" campaign (2:30) before Bill and Sal recap the rest of NFL Week 15, including: Jalen Hurts's impressive showing in the Eagles' loss to the Cardinals, 49ers-Cowboys, the Chiefs' win over the Saints, Patriots-Dolphins, the MVP discussion, an early look at the playoff picture, cross-off teams, and more (26:00). Then they guess the NFL lines for Week 16 (1:07:00) before closing the show with Parent Corner (1:29:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Bakari Sellers and 44th president of the United States Barack Obama to discuss conferring with NBA players in the Orlando bubble during the wildcat strike, athletes pushing for social change, how different leagues, including the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and NCAA, responded to the coronavirus pandemic, whether college athletes should be paid, the Mount Rushmore of sports, being a dad in quarantine, his new book, ‘A Promised Land,’ the tumultuous first few months of his presidency, and more (3:30). Later, Bill gives out his Million Dollar Picks for NFL Week 15 (1:11:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons shares his thoughts on Giannis's signing the supermax contract to stay in Milwaukee, and all the winners (there's more than you'd think) that result (2:30). Then, he talks to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban about the NBA season starting in just a week, lessons learned from the NBA bubble's success, changing NBA policy, taking over the Mavericks in 2000, adopting advanced metrics, Dirk Nowitzki's career as a lifelong Maverick, Luka Doncic, and more (21:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Bills' win over the Steelers that shook up the AFC playoffs standings, the Chiefs' win over the Dolphins, Cardinals-Giants, Saints-Eagles, Philadelphia's QB situation, Falcons-Chargers, Texans-Bears, cross-off teams, and more (2:00). Then they Guess the Lines for Week 15 (53:00) and close the show with Parent Corner (1:18:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons shares his thoughts on James Harden wanting out of Houston, as well as some history behind the unhappy NBA star era (2:30), before talking to John Jastremski from WFAN radio about the current state of New York pro sports (34:00). Finally Bill talks with his old pal David Jacoby about the new season of MTV’s 'The Challenge: Double Agents.' They break down the competitors into tiers as they gear up for the new season (1:24:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Browns’ decisive win over the Titans, the Broncos losing a close game to the Chiefs, Rams-Cardinals, the Jets barely keeping their 0-16 season intact vs. the Raiders, the Patriots' blowout win vs. the Chargers, cross-off teams, and more (4:00). Then they Guess the Lines for Week 14 (55:00) before closing the show with Parent Corner (1:24:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons shares his thoughts on James Harden's next team, the only two serious contenders in the Harden sweepstakes, and how the deal can get done (3:00). Then Bill talks with Joe House about the Russell Westbrook–John Wall trade, how Westbrook upgrades the Wizards, what John Wall meant to the DMV area, and more (21:00). Finally, Bill is joined by Ryan Shazier to discuss the 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker Bud Dupree's season-ending injury, a behind-the-scenes look at head coach Mike Tomlin, and Bill's Million-Dollar NFL Picks (1:04:00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser to discuss the NFL’s approach to dealing with COVID-19, the evolution of sports coverage, 20 years of ‘Pardon the Interruption,’ Patrick Mahomes, baseball’s shrinking national interest, golf, and more (3:00). Then Bill talks with chef and media mogul Dave Chang, who just became the first celebrity to win ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.’ They discuss the million-dollar question; Dave's help from Mina Kimes and Alan Yang; the Southern Smoke Foundation, the charity he donated his winnings to; the current state of the restaurant industry amidst the pandemic, including innovations from companies like Gold Belly; and more (49:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Saints' win over the QB-less Broncos, the Falcons' shellacking of the Raiders, the Rams' loss to the 49ers, plus Chiefs-Buccaneers, Chargers-Dolphins, Patriots-Cardinals, NFC East–watch, and more (3:00). They discuss the Mike Tyson–Roy Jones Jr. and Jake Paul–Nate Robinson boxing matches (38:00), before guessing the NFL lines for Week 13 (49:00). Then they close the show with Parent Corner (1:10:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Tony Romo to discuss his post-NFL career, Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, how limited fan attendance can work to a defense’s advantage, Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, Super Bowl sleepers, Golf, and more (2:00). Then Bill gives out his Million Dollar NFL Picks (56:00); Before talking with author James Andrew Miller about the Showtime documentary ’Belushi’, the copious amount of never before seen photos, letters, and videos, John Belushi’s impact on SNL, and more (1:05:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Jackie MacMullan to discuss a whirlwind of NBA free-agency moves and trades as they look ahead to the rapidly approaching NBA season (3:00). Then Bill gives out his Million-Dollar NFL Picks for the Thanksgiving games (1:30:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons shares his thoughts on Gordon Hayward turning down his $34 million player option to become a free agent, ultimately ending up on the Charlotte Hornets (2:00). Then Bill is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Chiefs' comeback win over the Raiders and Patrick Mahomes’s ironclad case for MVP. They also cover the Dolphins’ flop against the Broncos, Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury, an ugly Browns win over the Eagles, plus Packers-Colts, Saints-Falcons, Vikings-Cowboys, the competitive AFC, the ridiculous NFC East, and more (17:00). They then Guess the NFL Lines for Week 12 (1:05), which is followed by Parent Corner (1:31:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Kevin O'Connor to discuss Klay Thompson's season-ending injury, an open NBA investigation involving the Bucks-Kings trade, Gordon Hayward opting out of his contract with the Celtics, post–NBA draft thoughts, Harden trade rumors, and more. (2:00). Then Bill talks with Nora Princiotti about salvaging this Patriots season, Tua Tagovailoa, the superb coaching of Miami head coach Brian Flores, Coach of the Year candidates, and more (56:00) before Bill gives out his Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 11 (1:15:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ryen Russillo and Raja Bell to discuss James Harden’s desire to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets (2:00). Then, Bill and Ryen talk about the Bucks acquiring Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Suns trading for Chris Paul, the Warriors' path to continued success, Boston's Gordon Hayward dilemma, and more (30:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to briefly discuss rumors of James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets before talking about the Patriots' win over the Ravens during a downpour in Foxborough. They also discuss the Browns win vs. the Texans and the return of Nick Chubb; the Cardinals' Hail Mary win over the Bills and Kyler Murray’s case for MVP; as well as Dolphins-Chargers, Rams-Seahawks, and more (3:00). They end with Guess the Lines for NFL Week 11 (50:00) and Parent Corner (1:29:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons shares his NBA predictions (3:00). Then he is joined by Kevin Clark to discuss the NFC and NFL playoff odds before giving out his Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 10 (26:00). Finally Bill talks with Claire McNear about the recent death of legendary 'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek, her new book, 'Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider's Guide to Jeopardy!,' researching for the book, and more (1:32:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by his dad to remember the late Tommy Heinsohn (3:00) before he is joined by ESPN's Matthew Berry to take a look at the fantasy football season including boom and busts, fantasy MVP candidates, fantasy playoff waiver pickups, and more (38:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal and Joe House to discuss NFL Week 9, including an electrifying battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray in the Dolphins' win over the Cardinals, Colts-Ravens, the Buccaneers getting steamrolled by the Saints, another gritty Chargers loss against the Raiders, Panthers-Chiefs, and more (3:00). Then Bill and Sal guess the NFL lines for Week 10 (44:00), which is followed by Parent Corner (1:17:00). Then House rejoins the group to discuss the gambling odds for the 2020 presidential election (1:29:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices