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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Giri Nathan

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Year In Review

Presenting The 2024 Shams Charania Award For Excellence In Divulging Of Information Through Syntax Comprehended By Many

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Barry Petchesky

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 15: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers reacts after losing to the St. Louis Blues 3-2 at Enterprise Center on December 15, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

New York Rangers v St Louis Blues

What Is Up With The Rangers?

Julie Kliegman is a writer and editor in Queens, New York. They wrote <a href="https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538168066/Mind-Game-An-Inside-Look-at-the-Mental-Health-Playbook-of-Elite-Athletes">Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes</a> and are at work on a biography of Renée Richards. Their work has also appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, Bookforum, Slate, The Ringer, Texas Monthly, Vulture, BuzzFeed News, and The Verge.

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Julie Kliegman

a female golfer floats in space, looking down on a giant moon-like golf ball

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Golf

Hailey Davidson Loves Golf, And Golf Wants To Get Rid Of Her

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Patrick Redford

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College Basketball

Doug Gottlieb Humbled By Michigan Tech, Life

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Atlanta Falcons v Las Vegas Raiders

Falcons Choose Buyer’s Remorse Over Kirk Cousins

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Typing

Sabrina Imbler

A still from a video capturing a red male cardinal staring menacingly at his reflection in the side-view mirror of a white car

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Birdfector

It’s So Confusing Sometimes To Be A Bird

Normal Gossip: portraits

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Carlos Watson caught mid-speech in a press conference.

Ozy Media’s Carlos Watson Sentenced In Fraud Trial

Media Meltdowns

Carlos Watson Played The Wrong Game And Lost

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks lifts the championship trophy as he celebrates with teammates after the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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The Bucks Rode A Big Third Quarter To An NBA Cup Win They Definitely Care About

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Chris Thompson

Some kids who are fans of the Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets Cruelly Bait-And-Switch Child By Promising PS5 But Giving Him PS5 And Hornets Tickets

Lacey Chabert and her ex-husband in the movie The Christmas Quest, in an attic-like space shining a flashlight on something

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Defector At The Movies

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘The Christmas Quest’

Vermont players react to winning the game during the NCAA College Cup semifinal match between the Denver Pioneers and the Vermont Catamounts on December 13, 2024 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC.

NCAA SOCCER: DEC 13 Men’s College Cup

Soccer

Vermont Won A Historic National Championship In Fittingly Dramatic Fashion

Emma Chamberlain stands in her closet, which has recently been emptied of most of its items.

Emma Chamberlain

Under The Influence

A Capsule Wardrobe Won’t Save You

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

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Drew Magary

The Monkees at the Athletic &amp; Convocation Center in South Bend, Indiana, November 11, 1986. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

The Monkees’ Christmas Card

Funbag

Your Holiday Card Might Not Contain Enough Gratuitous Nudity

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Journalismism

ABC’s Trump Settlement Is A Bad Omen

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Tom Ley

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - DECEMBER 4: Police officers investigate the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan near a hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues on December 04, 2024 in New York, United States. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in what authorities are calling a 'brazen, targeted attack' outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The masked gunman, who waited several minutes before ambushing Thompson, fired multiple times, striking him in the back and right calf. Thompson was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the scene and remains at large. A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Healthcare executive gunned down in New York City in apparent ‘targeted attack’

Politics

What Comes After The Gun?

Mohammed Mhawish is a Palestinian journalist and writer from Gaza. He is currently a contributing writer for The Nation. Mohammed, a contributor to the book A Land With a People, has reported for Al Jazeera, The Economist, MSNBC, +972 Magazine, and more. Subscribe to his newsletter <a href="https://www.mohammedmhawish.com/">here</a>.

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Mohammed R. Mhawish

The rubble of the author's house in Gaza. A child's toy is visible.

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Stories

One Year Ago, Israel Buried Me Alive. I’m Still Clawing My Way Out.

Donovan Mitchell dunks.

Dare To Believe In The Cleveland Cavaliers

Kiyomi McMiller does a spin move during a game against Wagner

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Kiyomi McMiller’s Gorgeous Spin Move Has Graduated To College

Amad Diallo of Manchester United scores their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City FC v Manchester United FC – Premier League

Manchester City So Deep In Hell That It Can’t Even Beat Manchester United

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Creaturefector

Who Was The Fly Who Died In My House?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 30: Dylan Harper #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights runs out the court before their game against the Texas A&amp;M Aggies during the Players Era Festival basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aggies defeated the Scarlet Knights 81-77. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Players Era Festival: Texas A&M v Rutgers

Dylan Harper Is Big-Time

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Kathryn Xu

Devin Williams #38 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a ninth inning pitch.

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Yankees Make Big Moves To Rebuild Juan Soto In The Aggregate

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Israel Daramola

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Kansas City Chiefs v Cleveland Browns

Even With Patrick Mahomes’s Injury, The Chiefs Feel Inevitable

On the Cime de la Bonette climb during stage 19 of the 2024 Tour de France cycling race, from Embrun to Isola 2000 (144,6 km), in France, on Friday 19 July 2024.

CYCLING TOUR DE FRANCE 2024 STAGE 19

Crosswords

The Crossword, Dec. 16: Lost At Sea

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Linebacker Nick Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos jumps backwards into the end zone for a pick six touchdown as wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. #11 and quarterback Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts look on during the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Indianapolis Colts v Denver Broncos

The Colts Gave Away Their Season

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