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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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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!

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Tom Ley

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>


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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>


DFM New Headshot

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

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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

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Patrick Redford

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

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Ray Ratto

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

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

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

EDMONTON, CANADA - APRIL 27: Corey Perry #90 and Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate an overtime goal by Leon Draisaitl #29 to win the game against the Los Angeles Kings during Game Four of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on April 27, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

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