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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

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winter 2023 gift (eyebrow)

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Giri Nathan

USA's #11 Joel Embiid celebrates at the end of the men's semifinal basketball match between USA and Serbia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)

BASKETBALL-OLY-PARIS-2024-USA-SRB

Olympics

Joel Embiid’s War With The French Nears Its Conclusion

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins and Andrés Giménez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians talk as they wait for a play review during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on May 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Minnesota Twins v Cleveland Guardians

The Twins And Guardians Are Finally Taking Their Fight To The Field

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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

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton waits to speak at the annual convention of the Rainbow/Push Coalition June 24, 2003 in Chicago, Illinois. Clinton said Bush Administration policies make likely the need for affirmative action programs for years to come.

Clinton Speaks At Rainbow Coalition Convention

Margin Of Error

Can The Pundits Pivot Toward The Center?

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Chris Thompson

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The Sagging Dodgers Suddenly Have A Lot Of Company

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Lauren Theisen

view of 'Cats' stage pre-show from above. there's a long runway dividing the audience in two

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Defector Up All Night

Defector At The Theater: A Revamped ‘Cats’ Is Better Than Ever

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David Roth

Rutger Hauer as Roy Batty in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. He is very dramatically backlit, naturally.

Hauer As Replicant

Podcasts

Hollywood’s Dampest Era, With Chris Nashawaty

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Ray Ratto

Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on before his team play against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Los Angeles Chargers v Las Vegas Raiders

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Las Vegas Raiders

Manager Pedro Grifol of the Chicago White Sox walks back to the dugout after a pitching change during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians on July 4, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Chicago White Sox v Cleveland Guardians

Pedro Grifol Paid The Price For Winning That One Game

Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Sen J.D. Vance (R-OH) speaks during a press conference at the Shelby Township Police Department on August 7, 2024 in Shelby Township, Michigan.

Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance Speaks In Michigan

Politics

Men On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown

Youtube logo with a stop symbol instead of a play button

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The Machines

This YouTube Trend Is Getting Increasingly More Annoying

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Patrick Redford

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Sports Highlight Of The Day

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is This Idiot Dog Starting A Fire

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


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Nicholas Russell

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump leaves the stage during a commercial break as he participates in the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections with US President Joe Biden at CNN's studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024.

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Interviews

‘Know Your Enemy’ Host Matt Sitman Talks About Covering Politics Without Becoming A Hack

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Kathryn Xu

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Barry Petchesky

Vintage color photograph of a chimpanzee in a skirt, stupid blouse, wristwatch and boots seated at a cluttered desk in a faux office, typing on a red typewriter. (Photo by Found Image Holdings/Corbis via Getty Images)

Typing Chimpanzee

Science

Point/Counterpoint: Monkeys Typing Shakespeare

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Billy Haisley

US' forward #05 Trinity Rodman (L) and US' forward #09 Mallory Swanson (R) celebrate after US' forward #11 Sophia Smith (C) scored in the 95th minute during the women's semi-final football match between USA and Germany during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Lyon Stadium in Lyon on August 6, 2024.

FBL-OLY-PARIS-2024-USA-GER

The USWNT Is Grinding Its Way Toward A Better Future

<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

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 12: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton walks out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Denver Broncos

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and co-founded the website <a href="http://popcorntennis.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://popcorntennis.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PFWw6PL-FUqaCMME5TLqP">popcorntennis.com</a>. He wrote 63,000 words about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry that can be accessed for free at <a href="https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OjAHpo4PVIhkx8Xd21lRJ">thegoldenrivalry.substack.com</a>.</p>


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Owen Lewis

A packed crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds awaits a fateful kick from Carlton's Mitch McGovern.

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Australian Football

I Love Australian Rules Football More Than I Get It

Barbara Stanwyck at a telegraph in 'Union Pacific'

Barbara Stanwyck

Defector At The Movies

Barbara Stanwyck Could Talk The Sun Into Rising In The West

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Kerolin #7 of Team Brazil celebrates scoring her team's fourth goal during the Women's semifinal match between Brazil and Spain during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on August 06, 2024 in Marseille, France.

Brazil v Spain: Women’s Football Semifinal – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 11

Soccer

Brazil Was Fearless

Andrew Vaughn and Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox exchange a fist-bump during the team's win on August 6, 2024. It was the White Sox's second win since July 10.

Chicago White Sox v Oakland Athletics

Why This Team Sucks: The August 7 Chicago White Sox

<p><a href="https://tomwhyman.com/">Tom Whyman</a> is a British philosopher.</p>


Tom Whyman

Far-right activists hold an 'Enough is Enough' protest on August 02, 2024 in Sunderland, England

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U.K. Politicians Can’t Fix What They Broke

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Life Lessons

I Don’t Ever Want My Favorite Things To Change


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Typing

Sabrina Imbler

A neopet dragon broods over its hoard of gold.

Neopets

Capital

Is It Ethical To Be A Billionaire In Neopets?


<p>Patrick T. Dorsey is the writer of and a producer on the feature film FUTURE DATE, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Cinequest Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Best Comedy Feature. You can hear him Thursdays on Defector Trivia, whenever Diana Moskovitz shouts, “Baaaaaaabe!”</p>


Patrick T. Dorsey

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Chase Budinger of Team United States reacts during a Men's Preliminary Phase match on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Eiffel Tower Stadium on August 02, 2024 in Paris, France.

Beach Volleyball – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 7

Chase Budinger Completed His Journey From Guy To Olympian

Bronze medallists USA celebrate on the podium of the women's 3x3 basketball during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Concorde in Paris on August 5, 2024.

3X3-BASKETBALL-OLY-PARIS-2024-MEDALS

Team USA Women Overcome Chemistry Issues, Sport’s Silly Math To Medal In 3×3 Basketball

a mother cape fur seal screaming in front of some pups

seals

Creaturefector

How To Eavesdrop On A Seal In A Crowd Of 90,000

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