clock menu more-arrow no yes

The Biggest Winners (and Loser) of the NBA’s Second Quarter

With more than half the season wrapped up, we’re giving awards to the players and teams who made the biggest impact over the last 20-ish games

By Dan Devine

Is Spotify’s Model Wiping Out Music’s Middle Class?

Fans may assume the $10 they pay for a monthly streaming subscription goes to the artists they listen to most. That’s not the case. Now, a growing number of musicians and industry players want change.

By Victor Luckerson

Marc Summers and the Never-ending Obstacle Course

A beacon of nostalgia, the host of the euphoric late-’80s kids game show ‘Double Dare’ is back with Nickelodeon for a 2019 reboot—but the intervening years haven’t been as easy as his famously sunny demeanor would suggest

By Julie Kliegman

Luka Doncic Is Already a Killer in Crunch Time

Not impressed yet with the Mavericks phenom’s rookie season? Try this: Doncic is having one of the best clutch-shooting seasons in recorded history.

By Zach Kram

The Chiefs’ Underrated Pass Rush Could Be the Key to Stopping Tom Brady

The trio of Justin Houston, Chris Jones, and Dee Ford form one of the more fearsome pass-rushing units in the NFL—and their success could send Kansas City to the Super Bowl

By Danny Kelly

The Ringer Podcast Network

Sports. Pop Culture. Podcasts.

all podcasts

Harden’s Tear, Panic Buttons, and Midseason All-NBA Teams With Zach Lowe

Bill is joined by his old pal, ESPN’s Zach Lowe

By Bill Simmons

‘Old School’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Bill, Chris, and Sean relive the glory days as they rewatch the 2003 comedy starring Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Will Ferrell

By Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and 1 other

Cautiously Optimistic About ‘True Detective,’ Plus: ‘Tidying Up With Marie Kondo’ Sparks a Trend

Alison Herman and Alyssa Bereznak join Chris to discuss the third season of the HBO crime drama, the Netflix show that’s inspiring people to clean, and more

By Chris Ryan, Alyssa Bereznak, and 1 other

Lombardi’s Divisional-Round Reactions

The Saints survive, New England dominates, the Cowboys lose to the Rams, and the Chiefs eliminate the Colts

By Michael Lombardi and Tate Frazier

‘The Mismatch’: The Celtics Start to Show Their Cracks

Plus, the trade-deadline rumor mill

By Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor
all podcasts

The Latest

Did the Cowboys’ Playoff Run Hurt the Future of the Franchise?

Dallas’s march to an NFC East title may have been fun for fans while it lasted, but with Jason Garrett expected to get a contract extension, Dak Prescott up for a big payday, and the offense stuck in turmoil, the team’s 2018 success could have set the Cowboys back long-term

By Robert Mays

Brands Who Stan: How Entertainment Companies Started Tweeting in the First Person

In 2019, it is not uncommon to see major accounts—like Netflix, MTV, and HBO—posting to social media in a casual tone. But when did they decide to use "I"? And why is it so effective?

By Alyssa Bereznak

The Celtics Are Unhinged Because Their Glue Guy Can’t Stay on the Court

For the past two seasons, Al Horford’s unique yet understated skill set has made Brad Stevens seem like a magician. Lost in Boston’s mounting panic is how little Horford has looked like himself this year.

By Jonathan Tjarks

An Uncertain Future: Rick Nash’s Retirement and the NHL’s Ongoing Concussion Problem

The six-time All-Star called it quits at age 34 because of concussion-related symptoms two months after the NHL agreed to compensate 318 ex-players who sued over head injuries. Is the league doing enough to ensure the long-term health of its athletes?

By Katie Baker

Jared Goff Is Championship Sunday’s Least-Proven Quarterback—and May Also Be Its Most Important

The former no. 1 overall pick is the biggest QB question mark in a field featuring Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Patrick Mahomes II. How will Sean McVay put him in the best position to succeed?

By Danny Heifetz

Bill Belichick Will Need a Master-Class Coaching Performance to Beat Patrick Mahomes II and Andy Reid

If you want to know which way the NFL is trending, pay attention to New England. The Patriots are the league’s smartest and most adaptable team, but the Kansas City Chiefs present the biggest challenge Belichick and Tom Brady have faced in years.

By Kevin Clark

Rumor-monger: Your 2019 NBA Trade Deadline Tracker

All the unsubstantiated scuttlebutt that’s fit to print

By The Ringer Staff

Without LeBron, the Lakers Look Lost

James’s 10-game absence and L.A.’s 3-7 slide has revealed how little development the team’s young core has done this season

By Haley O'Shaughnessy

Four Takeaways From the First Trailer for ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’

Peter Parker’s alive? Jake Gyllenhaal isn’t doing a weird accent?

By Miles Surrey

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8 Teaser: “Crypts of Winterfell” Breakdown

Binge Mode’s Jason Concepcion and Mallory Rubin break down the new teaser for the show’s final season

By Jason Concepcion and Mallory Rubin

How Sharon Van Etten Chased Down Her Shadow and Made Her Best Album Yet

Since we last heard from her, the singer-songwriter worked with David Lynch, starred in a Netflix hit, found love, became a mother, and channeled it into the wonderful new ‘Remind Me Tomorrow’

By Lindsay Zoladz

What Does Winning Rookie of the Year Really Mean?

It might not be a poisoned chalice, but winning the award comes with baggage. With Luka Doncic putting distance between himself and the field this year, here’s a look back on past ROY winners and how winning the award helped and hurt them.

By John Gonzalez

Chiefs-Pats and Saints-Rams Are Both Rematches. Does That Matter?

Much has changed since these teams last squared off, but their regular-season matchups can inform how Sunday’s conference championships may unfold

By Danny Kelly

Baseball Is Broken. Can Anything Short of a Strike Fix It?

Manny Machado and Bryce Harper remain unsigned. One of the sport’s best catchers had to settle for a one-year deal. Kyler Murray might play another sport if he can’t get paid. Only the players can fix this, but to do so, they’ll have to risk a work stoppage they’re not currently prepared to win.

By Michael Baumann

The Jeff Bezos Affair, or: How a Divorce Becomes a Conspiracy Theory

The National Enquirer coverage of the Amazon CEO has spawned many tawdry headlines—and some Donald Trump–related speculation

By Kate Knibbs

Steve King and the Crisis of Republican Politics in 2019

The Iowa representative fumbled his way into a defense of white nationalism, and it cost him precious political capital. Is he an outlier on the fringes or an avatar for his party’s beliefs?

By Justin Charity

Fyre Fight: The Inside Story of How We Got Two Warring Fyre Festival Documentaries in the Same Week

Netflix and Hulu are rolling out competing docs on the same scammer festival, and millennials have a ‘Deep Impact’ vs. ‘Armageddon’ to call their own. But is one film more ethical than the other?

By Scott Tobias

Andy Murray Deserves a Better Farewell

Murray competed against—and beat—some of the greatest champions in the history of tennis. He was not as talented as his rivals, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but he was more genuine, honest, and relatable, which makes his pending retirement more painful.

By Brian Phillips

Are the Sixers Better or Worse With Jimmy Butler?

A rational conversation about a 28-16 team that’s being talked about like they’re headed for the lottery, and the trade that changed the trajectory of the franchise

By Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier

Bill Simmons’s NBA Trade Value Rankings 2018-19

After a three-year layoff, Bill Simmons’s ranking of the NBA’s most valuable assets has finally returned. Who’s on top? And who got stuck with an honorable mention?

By Bill Simmons

‘The Flat Circle’ (Ep. 1): Is the Yellow King Back?

In the debut of our ‘True Detective’ aftershow, our detectives break down the plot, examine the characters, and analyze the context. Is Season 3 somehow connected to Season 1?

By Chris Ryan and Jason Concepcion

‘The Flat Circle’ (Ep. 2): How Did This Case Go Bad?

In the second installment of our ‘True Detective’ aftershow, our detectives break down the plot, examine the characters, and analyze the context. Just what is the "Crooked Spiral"?

By Chris Ryan and Jason Concepcion

How Netflix’s ‘Tidying Up With Marie Kondo’ Cluttered the Internet

Five years after the release of the book, the second coming of KonMari can be quantified by stats from the web and social media—all of which prove that the Netflix effect is real

By Molly McHugh

‘The Bachelor’ Recap: And Yeah, Um … Roll Tide?

Hannah B. becomes the latest Alabama representative to choke, Onyeka upgrades from whistle to airhorn, and Demi and Tracy fight over the unwritten rules of rose decorum

By Rodger Sherman

With Clint Capela’s Injury, James Harden Has Officially Become Atlas

Houston’s center is out for at least a month, joining costar Chris Paul on the sideline. The Beard is carrying the entire franchise on his shoulders in this playoff push. Can he hold up?

By Paolo Uggetti

Kyler Murray’s NFL Draft Declaration Is an Embarrassment for the A’s—and Baseball

After weeks of speculation, the Heisman winner has announced his intention to enter the draft. It’s not officially the end of his dalliance with Oakland, but it’s heading that way. And it only drives home baseball’s increasing cultural inferiority.

By Michael Baumann

The Starting 11: The NFL’s Final Four Shows Why Every Team Wants a Sean McVay

As the coaching carousel has turned toward offensive-minded, play-calling head coaches, the divisional round demonstrated how effective those types of masterminds can be

By Robert Mays

The Dos and Don’ts of Turning Your NBA Press Conference Into a Petty Work of Art

Blake Griffin and Kyrie Irving showed the world how to deliver honest slights in their recent postgame pressers

By Haley O'Shaughnessy

The Celtics Might Have Too Much of a Good Thing

Boston has spent most of its season struggling, despite its loaded roster and ace coach. Is the team being held back by its abundance of talent?

By Dan Devine

Netflix Had a Documentary on Fyre Festival—Now Hulu Has a Documentary on Fyre Festival

The streaming wars just got a lot more petty

By Miles Surrey

The Divisional Round Was a Master Class in What Sets the NFL’s Four Best Teams Apart

This weekend, the Chiefs, Saints, Rams, and Patriots proved why the lower seeds in the playoffs never stood a chance. In the process, they set the slate for a thrilling conference championship Sunday.

By Robert Mays

The Art of the Pan: What’s the Point of a Bad Review in 2019?

A scathing takedown can be cathartic, thrill-inducing, or necessary—sometimes all at once. But with the collapse of monoculture and the rise of social media, the critiquing game has changed. Have reviews gotten harsher? Softer? Writers from Pitchfork, The New York Times, and others reflect.

By Rob Harvilla
More Stories