Are American Sport Leagues Actually Socialist?

05:44

July 04, 2016

A view of the crowd watching the action during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park on July 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Royals won 6-2. (Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

On America's birthday, Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson talks to The Atlantic's Derek Thompson, who says the United States runs its sports leagues in a way fit for a Scandinavian social democrat. Luxury taxes, salary caps, even a kind of welfare for foundering teams are all elements of the NFL, the NBA and the MLB. But they run counter to English football leagues, where the rich stay rich and the poor get punished.

Guest

Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic. He tweets @DKThomp.

This segment aired on July 4, 2016.