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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

<p>Lesley Ryder is a writer and a host covering the Chicago Red Stars. She co-created <a href="https://galpalsports.com/">Gal Pal Sports</a>, a platform that lives to make women’s sports fun for everyone.</p>


Lesley Photo

Lesley Ryder

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 22: NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman addresses the media ahead of the NWSL 2024 Championship at CPKC Stadium on November 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Orlando Pride v Washington Spirit – NWSL 2024 Championship Press Conference

Soccer

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman Keeps Talking Around The San Diego Wave Lawsuit

VictorPortraitWClaw

David Roth

ia Eagles carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024.

Philadelphia Eagles v Los Angeles Rams

Everything Is Working For Saquon Barkley


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Typing

Sabrina Imbler

A gif of a green fruit that looks like a cucumber shooting out many small wet seeds.

ColorCucumber4

Science

The Secret Lives Of Squirting Cucumbers

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Giri Nathan

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

How Can He Slap?

headshot1

Patrick Redford

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Kia Center on November 23, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons v Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic Are Just That

<p>Libby Watson is a journalist who covers healthcare.</p>


Libby Watson

A roasted and sliced turkey breast with the Chefector badge of a cartoon chef eating a gigantic burger.

turkey with badge

Perfectly Fine Dinner Party Club

The Case For Thanksgiving II

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Ray Ratto

Tommy DeVito of the New York Giants looks pained while warming up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2024.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New York Giants

New York Giants On New York Giants: “That’s Ass”

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Lauren Theisen

Dallas Cowboys Jalen Brooks, left, celebrates Washington Commanders place kicker Austin Seibert (3) missed extra point

Washington Commander vs Dallas Cowboys

The Commanders Really Blew That One

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Las Vegas center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots a three-pointer during the WNBA game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Atlanta Dream on July 12th, 2024 at the Gateway Arena in College Park, GA.

WNBA: JUL 12 Las Vegas Aces at Atlanta Dream

Crosswords

The Crossword, Nov. 25: Party Hat (Themeless)

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

The U.S. Supreme Court building with the low afternoon sun behind it and a pedestrian in the foreground.

SCOTUS

Margin Of Error

Lapse Of Judgment

Image from iOS (36)

Luis Paez-Pumar

James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 1st goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC – Premier League

Tottenham Is As Dangerous As Anyone, When It Wants To Be

Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 10.34.24 AM

Abigail Segel

Marta #10 of the Orlando Pride celebrates after the Pride defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 to win the NWSL 2024 Championship Game at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Orlando Pride v Washington Spirit – NWSL 2024 Championship Game

Orlando Runs Away With The NWSL, And The Rest Will Have To Catch Up

Profile Pic

Chris Thompson

Max Verstappen celebrates his championship on the shoulders of teammates.

Racing

Max Verstappen Is Champion Once Again

Zion Williamson Is Back In The Shop

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves interacts with Rudy Gobert #27 in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on November 17, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 120-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns v Minnesota Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert Found A New Guy To Annoy

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards walks off the court after the game. Edwards led all scorers with a career high 51 points.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Sure, Go Ahead And Try To Fix The NBA All-Star Game

View of a wrestling ring during a tag team match at White Eagle Hall

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Pro Wrestling

Deadlock Pro-Wrestling Is As Fun As It Is Fragile

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Ben Tippett

12 February 2024, Schleswig-Holstein, Wangels: Chess: Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge, chess tournament based on the Chess960 variant, quarter-finals, at the Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort. Ding Liren (China) in action. Photo: Marcus Brandt/dpa

Chess: Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge

Chess

The Clouds Have Gathered Over The World Chess Championship

bh def prof pic

Billy Haisley

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is playing during the UEFA Nations League 2024 League B Group B1 match between Ukraine and Georgia , at the Poznan Arena in Poznan, Poland, on October 11, 2024.

Ukraine v Georgia – UEFA Nations League 2024

Even A Little Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Goes A Long Way

The Pittsburgh Steelers line up against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter in the game at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns

Steelers-Browns Was A Miserable And Majestic Classic Of Bad-Weather Football

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Barry Petchesky

'With a Turned Thumb', (Pollice Verso), 1872. A victorious Roman gladiator awaiting the verdict of the Emperor. After the painting by Jean-Leon Gerome. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

‘With a Turned Thumb’, (Pollice Verso), 1872.

Overexplained Lists

Gladiators, Ranked

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Rachelle Hampton

Wicked co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande stand on a red carpet. Grande holds Erivo's hand to her mouth.

Arts And Culture

When Will The ‘Wicked’ Press Campaign End?

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Kelsey McKinney

The Harvest Moon rises over the U.S. Capitol dome in 2022.

Capitol Harvest Moon

Politics

The American Nightmare Is A Rerun

A traveler is reflected in a pane of glass with a paper snowman behind it during travel on Christmas Day at Frankfurt Airport.

Christmas Day – Travel traffic at Frakfurt Airport

Podcasts

Emergency Christmas Protocols And Underwater Hotels, With Sabrina Imbler

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


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Drew Magary

1920 G.W.K. 10.8 With Compton Body. Creator: Unknown.

Jamboroo

I Am The Passenger Now

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