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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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Lauren Theisen

Pro Wrestling

Some Wrestling Matches I Liked In 2024

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams carries the ball against Chuck Clark #36 of the New York Jets during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Dec. 30: Out Of Office (Themeless)


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

Matchbook image of men in suits having drinks at a bar.

Life Lessons

My Fancy Little Mocktail Was Missing More Than Booze

Samer Kalaf

Aaron Rodgers is sacked in the end zone by a Bills defensive player

Aaron Rodgers Incapable Of Throwing Even One Touchdown Pass


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

During an interview with sportscaster Greg Gumbel (right), American disc jockey (from WLUP radio, 'The Loop') Steve Dahl breaks a disco record over his head prior to hosting an anti-disco promotion at Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, July 12, 1979. The event, held between games of a doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers, allowed fans to attend the games for 98 cents along with an unwanted record and, following the detonation of those records, eventually resulted in the White Sox forfeiture of the second game due to unsafe playing conditions when fans stormed the field causing serious damage to the venue and playing surface.

Greg Gumbel Kept It All In Perspective

NFL Christmas Gameday signage advertising the NFL's two Christmas Day marquee games.

NFL Schedule Creep Is Getting Out Of Control

Magnus Carlsen at Day 2 of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship on December 27, 2024 in New York City.

Chess

Magnus Carlsen Quits Chess Tournament Over Jeans Violation

Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates with Jacolby George #3 after connecting for a touchdown in the first quarter during the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl

College Football

Cam Ward Tarnishes The Sanctity Of Bowl Game Sponsored By Toaster Pastry

Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after they lost to the Denver Nuggets in the second half at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2024 in Sacramento, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It Feels So Over In Sacramento

Albert Burneko

Pau Víctor, Robert Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo celebrate a win against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

Soccer

Deadbeat Club Scrambling To Keep Players It Never Should Have Acquired [Update]

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


Nicholas Russell

Arts And Culture

‘Nosferatu’ Keeps You Waiting And Waiting

Defector Staff

May Company Basement Sale, 1 March 1954. Crowd at May Company Basement Sale.;Caption slip reads: 'Photographer: McCarty. Date: 154-03-01. Reporter: Scott. Assignment: May Co. Basement Sale. 1/2/46/76/35/72/71/69/70/75: Crowd at May Co. Basement Sale'..

Year In Review

The Worst Things We Bought In 2024

Alex Sujong Laughlin

A clothing rack at a flea market showing a row of vintage sweaters of various colors.

How To Buy A Sweater That Doesn’t Suck

David Roth

A master swordsman named Bernard Ganter uses a saber to open an enormous bottle of Moet & Chandon at a celebration in Denver, Co.

Podcasts

The Fellowship Of The Champagne Saber

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs battle for a rebound during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City. 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 Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Victor Wembanyama Crafted A Fittingly Weird Christmas Masterpiece

circa 1897: Portrait of actor John Martin Harvey (1867 - 1944) reading to two children on a postcard.

The Best Things We Read In 2024

Ray Ratto

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a foul call against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Chase Center on December 25, 2024 in San Francisco

Draymond Green Is Still Innovating

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

The 76ers Are Showing Signs Of Life Amid Brushes With Death

Barry Petchesky

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 01: NFL Christmas Gameday signage on a blimp advertising the NFL's two Christmas Day marquee games streaming live on Netflix on December 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Netflix NFL Viewership Claims Threaten Several International Incidents

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<div>Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. Her debut novel, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sXpgNMmxpIwmIZOFd-Pnw">One of the Boys</a></i>, is out now. Her personal website can be found <a href="http://victoria.monster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://victoria.monster&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PrZ7PkO1IykxAodWoMLI_">here</a>.</div>
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Victoria Zeller

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 22: Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) recovers a fumble and celebrates with teammates in action during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears on December 22, 2024 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.

Jamboroo

Go For It

The Best Things We Heard In 2024

John Saward

Clockwise from top: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Jimmy Hawkins, Larry Simms and Karolyn Grimes.

How Can A Life Be Wonderful?

What Did We Get Stuck In Our Rectums Last Year?

Kelsey McKinney

The Narrative Is All That Matters

Tom Ley

BARNET, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Santa Claus, who delivered the match ball waves to the crowd during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Northampton Saints at the StoneX Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Barnet, England.