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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.

Defector

Ray Ratto

Fans are seen waving flags inside the stadium as they await the unveiling of new FC Barcelona Head Coach Xavi Hernandez during a press conference at Camp Nou on November 08, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Soccer

Barcelona Insists There’s Nothing Weird About Paying A Referee $1.3 Million

David Roth

Patrick Mahomes about to complete a pass while leading his team to (spoiler alert) a win in Super Bowl 57.

Podcasts

The Boston Scott Prop Bet And Windows That Don’t Exist

Albert Burneko

A creepy childlike automaton in an old black-and-white photograph

This Is So Stupid

Google’s Search Engine Reveals Its Feelings: Destroy All Humans With A Rain Of Nuclear Fire

Israel Daramola

10 Feb 2001: WWF's "The Rock" walks out to greet the fans before the game between the Los Angeles Xtreme and the Chicago Enforcers at the L.A. Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Xtreme defeated the Enforcers 39-32.

My Beautiful XFL Has Finally Returned

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


Chris Thompson

The stage at a big Sports Illustrated part.

Media Meltdowns

Sports Illustrated Continues Its Lurch Away From Journalism With Fresh Round Of Layoffs

Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVII victory parade on February 15, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)

The Chiefs’ Belief In Disbelief Is Becoming Unbelievable

<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>


Drew Magary

UK, Waddington, Lancashire. Family including children (2-4) sitting on sofa watching TV, night. (Photo by Christopher Pillitz/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

A Promise: I Will Use The NFL Offseason To Become An Even Worse Person

Luis Paez-Pumar

Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 15, 2023 in London, England.

Arsenal Found Out Just How Hard It Is To Topple Manchester City

Kelsey McKinney

Journalismism

The New York Times Continues To Make Its Priorities Clear

Tom Ley

Defector Up All Night

You’ll Never Forget Hearing Patrick Mahomes Say “The Chainsmokers” For The First Time

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<div class="gmail_default">Sophie Lewis is a writer based in Philadelphia, and the author of <i>Abolish the Family: A Manifesto for Care and Liberation</i> as well as <i>Full Surrogacy Now: Feminism Against Family</i>. You can support Sophie&#8217;s writing at <a href="http://patreon.com/reproutopia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://patreon.com/reproutopia&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1676579571242000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0v46ws-benlRFZQr_vtOrj">patreon.com/reproutopia</a>.</div>
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Sophie Lewis

Arts And Culture

Rihanna Rubbed Her Belly And Broke A Million Brains

Barry Petchesky

Joe Martinez, MLB Vice President of On Field Strategy, explains the new bases to the media

America’s Sportswriters Confirm: Bases Big

Paramore members Zac Farro, Hayley Williams, and Taylor York

Music

Paramore’s Latest Album Is An Anxious Murmur

<p>Micah Herskind is an organizer, policy advocate, and writer based in Atlanta, GA.</p>


Micah Herskind

A police car near the site of Atlanta's proposed Cop City

Capital

Abolition Requires Struggle

Lauren Theisen

Senators goalie Kevin Mandolese in action

The Senators Are Great Spoilers

Birdfector

Oh No! The Big, Beautiful Owl Got Out!

Dave McKenna

The Never-Ending Resurrection Of Eva Cassidy

Laura Wagner

Stuffed rabbits copulating are on display at the Palais de la Decouverte (scientific museum) in Paris on October 23, 2012 as part of an exhibition.

How To Have More Sex

Giri Nathan

Kyrie Irving And Luka Doncic Are Still Figuring It Out

Samer Kalaf

Kansas City Chiefs fans in Germany do the Tomahawk Chop during Super Bowl 57.

Life's Rich Pageant

NFL Exports Racist Arm Gesture To Germany

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


Nicholas Russell

Hundreds of people gather in streets in freezing temperatures Monday evening to protest the killing of Tyre Nichols, in Chicago, United States on January 30, 2023. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Policing

The Stories We Tell Ourselves To Live

Funbag

I Am Getting Old Man Skin And Don’t Care For It

Michigan State University students evacuate to a safe area

Politics

Michigan State Students Learned Who They Can Count On

Ben Simmons takes a short shot during the Brooklyn Nets' loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night.

Nets Coach: The Challenge With Ben Simmons Is He Is A Crappy Player

The basketball hoops are shown before the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament between the Grand Canyon Lopes and the New Mexico State Aggies at the Orleans Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.