The best episodes of Ballers
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Despite having a bullseye on his back, Spencer refuses to back down in his fight for the league's players. Joe embraces a new state of mind as he finds peace with himself. Julie encourages Charles to take care of unfinished business. Ricky decides to strike out on his own with his latest project. Reggie takes the next step in his career, with some encouragement from Vernon.
- 02
As Spencer settles into his new role, he makes what could be an unpopular decision; Joe finds his professional life sidetracked by his personal life; Ricky dips his toe into the media pool and shares his true feelings about an ally.
- 03
While peacefully enjoying retirement and reflecting on his past, Spencer gets a tantalizing offer. A year after splitting with Spencer, Joe eyes a big swing at Sports X with his new partner, Lance. Ricky finds himself in hot water with Charles, and Vernon considers a life change, much to Reggie's chagrin.
- 04
After learning of competing owner offers, Spencer engages with past allies. Joe is tasked with apologizing for creating a hostile work environment with the help of Kate, a sharp Sports X exec. Ricky and Vernon each consider different kinds of futures, while Charles tries to hide some unwelcome news.
- 05
When Spencer returns to the Sports X offices to work out a major player deal, he and Joe air past grievances and later, Spencer makes a big public statement that's sure to have consequences. Charles mulls over a new deal from Werner after getting a wakeup call about his health. Ricky gets defensive in a meeting with a Hollywood bigwig who has ambitious plans for his future. Vernon, Reggie and Lance arrive at their first Esports tournament as underdogs.
- 06
Spencer weighs the pros and cons of an acquisition, and Ricky and Charles set down roots in LA.
- 07
Spencer and Joe find themselves in a crisis at Sports X, and Ricky considers his motivations for ending his retirement.
- 08
Just as Spencer reaches out to him with the job of a lifetime, Jason gets an interesting counteroffer from Joe, who's determined to bring his old partner down. Vernon has a tryout at an Esports company and Reggie bemoans his position at Sports X. Ricky turns to partying to deal with his depression. Charles considers what to do about Kisan.
- 09
Spencer feels the pressure as he fights for Kisan; Ricky's radio show gets mixed reviews; and Charles tries to land a big player.
- 10
In the wake of an unexpected tragedy, Spencer prepares for his first owners meeting. While trying to balance work and his relationship with Kate, Joe decides to go on Ricky's radio show. Charles deals with an unexpected health crisis in the middle of his busiest time at work. Vernon, Reggie and Lance try to recruit a trio of gaming siblings for their new league. Jason celebrates his anniversary.
- 11
Spencer and Joe get a late-game assist in their efforts to win over team owners. After soul-searching, Ricky maps out a new future. Jason gets Charles another crack at a coveted job. Reggie makes an impact at training camp.
- 12
There's No Place Like Home, Baby
Spencer takes his fight to the next level. Ricky jeopardizes his comeback.
- 13
Spencer becomes immersed in a marketing controversy. Still smarting from their feud in Miami, Charles agrees to give Ricky a chance, against his better instincts.
- 14
Spencer looks to elevate the SportsX TV brand, while Joe weighs a new offer. At Jayda's insistence, Spencer meets Quincy. Ricky tries to prove to Kisan he's still got the goods, while Charles is encouraged by Julie to bring more flair to his job.
- 15
Spencer recruits Q to help him leverage a deal; with Reggie in tow, Joe talks business with a group of extreme skateboarders known collectively as Illegal Civilization; Charles hosts a pre-free-agent reception.
- 16
Spencer takes a big risk with the potential to blow the deal. After a heart-to-heart with Ricky, Charles spells out his vision for the team. Joe and Reggie enlist Vernon and Terrell "Sizzle" Suggs, to persuade Illegal Civilization.
- 17
After the unexpected demise of a friend and former teammate, retired football superstar Spencer ramps up his efforts to build a post-football career in Miami, and feels pressure from Joe, his boss at a financial firm, to "monetize his friendships." Meanwhile, recently retired player Charles, copes with the realities of finding a new job. Talented wide receiver Ricky is forced to put his pride aside to find a new home. Vernon, a player on the rise, finds himself in a tight spot and reaches out to Spencer for help.
- 18
Wayne Hastings reveals he doesn't plan to finance the Vegas deal, he just wants to be the face of it. Spencer and Joe scramble to put together a convincing sales pitch to attract new investors. Charles tries to reconcile Coach Berg and Siefert over a home-cooked deal, prepared by Julie, but neither man is looking to make up. Joe tests out an advanced new Virtual Reality technology and is excited by its potential. He recommends Vernon invest in it instead of risking his career on cannabinoids. Candace Brewer still isn't pleased with Spencer and his plans for Las Vegas. She pressures Spencer into reconsidering his stadium deal by placing additional scrutiny on his clients, starting with an unannounced drug test for Vernon.
- 19
Spencer learns that his master plan to bring a team to Las Vegas may be in jeopardy. Ricky arrives at a crossroads, personally and professionally. Charles sees his wish come true in Miami, but ends up with regrets.
- 20
Spencer questions Lance's excesses; Vernon gets carried away.
- 21
Spencer calls on the Anderson Brothers for help, Joe pitches Illegal Civilization to a major shoe brand, and Ricky loses his cool at a neighbor's pool party.
- 22
Spencer encounters resistance in LA and Oakland to his Vegas expansion initiative. Joe takes a detour with Reggie; Jason blasts Kisan for his lack of transparency; Charles bristles over Larry's failure to give him credit for a lineman he landed; Ricky jumps to conclusions.
- 23
Desperate to score a key owner's blessing to bring pro football to Vegas, Spencer and Joe find themselves in a race against the clock involving a pair of equally critical meetings. Spurned by his new teammates, Ricky stages his own private workout, and finds roses aren't enough to appease an angry Amber. Vernon looks for a second chance; tensions between Charles and Larry escalate after a tryout for Kisan.
- 24
Spencer, Joe and Mr. Anderson head north in search of financing for a Las Vegas stadium; Larry tests the limits of Charles' loyalty and patience; Ricky gets a sobering diagnosis and presses Jason to close a deal.
- 25
Spencer scrambles to stay ahead after Andre makes a surprise visit to the office. Joe discovers the skeletons in his partner's closet. Ricky tries to make amends with Dennis, as Charles plots to keep Ricky in Miami. Travis confides in Spencer during a talk-show appearance.
Shows like Ballers
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Comedy·SportsThe best episodes of Ted Lasso2020–present
Ted Lasso centers on an idealistic — and clueless — all-American football coach hired to manage an English football club — despite having no soccer coaching experience at all. - 02Drama·Comedy·SportsThe best episodes of Welcome to Wrexham2022–present·FX
In 2020, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds teamed up to purchase Wrexham AFC, Wales' oldest professional football club, in the hopes of turning the club into an underdog story the whole world could root for. - 03Drama·Comedy·SportsThe best episodes of Eastbound & Down2009–2013Same network — HBO·
- 04Drama·Comedy·SportsThe best episodes of Red Oaks2014–2017
A young tennis player works at the prestigious and exclusive Red Oaks Country Club during the summer between his sophomore and junior years of college in the 1980s. - 05Drama·Comedy·SportsThe best episodes of Brockmire2017–2020·IFC
Brockmire is a famed major league baseball announcer who suffers an embarrassing and very public meltdown live on the air after discovering his beloved wife's serial infidelity. - 06Drama·Comedy·SportsThe best episodes of GLOW2017–2019
Inspired by the real story of the 1980's female wrestling league, the series -- set in Los Angeles and showcasing big hair and body slams -- is a fictionalized story of an out of work actress who finds one last attempt…
