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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

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Live Event

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Ray Ratto

Journalism, who is a horse, is washed during the morning training for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2025.

151th Kentucky Derby – Previews

Horse Racing

Are You Sure You Want To Bet On Journalism?

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Tom Ley

A fan sits alone in the purple row of seats that are exactly on mile above sea level during a game between the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Houston Astros 8-6.

Houston Astros v Colorado Rockies

Which Towering Dinger In Denver Is Jerry Dipoto Actually Talking About?

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Kathryn Xu

José Azocar #28, Tyrone Taylor #15, and Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field.

Arizona Diamondbacks v New York Mets

It’s All Coming Up Mets

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Patrick Redford

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets sits on the bench after notching his 40th point during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 131-115 win over the LA Clippers

DENVER NUGGETS VS LA CLIPPERS, NBA

Jamal Murray Was Arrogant And Generous Enough To Craft Another Classic

<p>Jae Towle Vieira [they/them] works as a producer for Normal Gossip. Their fiction has been published in <i data-stringify-type="italic">The Normal School</i>, <i data-stringify-type="italic">New England Review, Carve Magazine, Passages North, Fairy Tale Review</i>, and elsewhere.</p>


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Jae Towle Vieira

Normal Gossip logo with cartoon characters gossiping

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Podcasts

A Run-In With The Mysterious Steve

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Barry Petchesky

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 29: John Tavares #91, Max Domi #11 and Scott Laughton #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warm-up before Game Five of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabank Arena on April 29, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ottawa Senators v Toronto Maple Leafs – Game Five

Do Not Say The Leafs Could Blow This Series. Don’t Even Think It!

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers get into an altercation after Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 29, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.

Milwaukee Bucks v Indiana Pacers – Game Five

Bucks Collapse Leads To Giannis Antetokounmpo Delivering Fatherhood Lessons To Tyrese Haliburton’s Dad

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #10 Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi-final First Leg football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Emirates Stadium in north London, on April 29, 2025.

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Soccer

All PSG Needed Was A Half-Chance

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


Typing

Sabrina Imbler

A headshot of Madyson Miller, a fired NOAA program analyst, in a blue sweater and golden light

Miller-Headshot

Interviews

An Interview With A Fired NOAA Program Analyst

<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

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. during the third day of the NFL Draft on April 29, 2023 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO.

NFL: APR 29 2023 Draft

Funbag

It’s Time For Mel Kiper To Go


<p>Investigations Editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


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Diana Moskovitz

A photo of Florida Gators basketball coach Todd Golden speaking to reporters at a press conference during the Final Four. Golden is sitting at a table with a nameplate.

Todd Golden Presser

College Basketball

Florida Built A Black Box And Put The Todd Golden Case Inside It

Jack Hanson

Curzio-Malaparte

Arts And Culture

The Perfect Fascist

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

Bradley Blalock of the Rockies tries to throw a baseball while sliding on his butt.

Bradley Blalock

The Rockies Are Bad At Every Part Of Baseball

Buddy Hield #7 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

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Buddy Hield To The Rescue

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Soraya Roberts

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Music

Tunde Adebimpe’s Solo Debut Channels The Gift Of The Mixtape

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David Roth

Griffin Canning of the New York Mets pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on April 11, 2025 in Sacramento, California.

New York Mets v Athletics

The Mets Are Doing The Hard Stuff Now

Luka and LeBron

JJ Redick Pushed The Panic Button And Lost Anyway

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Lauren Theisen

Cole Caufield #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates after scoring a goal

Washington Capitals v Montreal Canadiens – Series Game Four

There’s Nothing Like The Sound Of A Goal In Montreal

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Samer Kalaf

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The Nationals Know What Goes Great Together: Dogs And Fireworks

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 27: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks is helped off the court after an apparent injury during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v Milwaukee Bucks – Game Four

The Milwaukee Bucks Are Dead

Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk captain of Liverpool celebrating after being named Champions of the Premier League at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC – Premier League

Liverpool Was Always In Control

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 24: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets gives up a goal to the St. Louis Blues in the first period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 24, 2025 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)

Winnipeg Jets v St Louis Blues – Game Three

The Jets Have A Connor Hellebuyck Problem, And The Only Solution Is More Connor Hellebuyck

Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants scores the game-winning run.

Heliot Ramos slides home.

Horrible Rangers Loss Also Really Funny

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

King Charles III and Queen Camilla cut a cake made by 2020 Great British Bake Off winner, Peter Sawkins as they attend a celebration at Edinburgh Castle to mark the 900th Anniversary of the City of Edinburgh, on July 3, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The British Royal Family Visit Scotland For Royal Week – Day 2

Crosswords

The Crossword, April 28: You Dropped This, King (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

President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton attend the White House State Dinner for the President of Ukraine on November 22, 1994 in Washington, D.C.

bill and hillary clinton

Margin Of Error

The Era Of Meek Government Is Over

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