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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

Israel Daramola

Listening Habits

Max B Is New York Rap’s Best Hope

<div>John is a history teacher, researcher, and writer. He lives in the D.C. area.</div>
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John Mohr

Artist Scott Adams, the creator the "Dilbert" comic series, poses with a cutout of his character in Dublin, Calif. on Feb. 7, 1996. (Photo by Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

I Watched The “Lost” Live-Action ‘Dilbert’ Pilot Episode, And It’s Clear Why It Didn’t Get Picked Up

Kathryn Xu

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 02: Aslan, a Pomeranian, 2nd place winner of Toy Group, competes during the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – Group Judging (Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding) &amp; Westminster Legends Presentation at Madison Square Garden on February 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Westminster Kennel Club)

Animals

My Life Among The 33 Pomeranians (And A Few Thousand Other Dogs)

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.

Drew Magary

Jamboroo

People Of America, It Is Cocktail Hour

David Roth

Phillie Phanatic, mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, pumps up the crowd with some of his signature goofy antics during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, August 9-11, 1982, at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania back in 1982. The turf looks crazy. His weird tongue is sticking out.

Podcasts

The Last Mayor Of Philadelphia

Defector Staff

Announcements

What We Loved About Dan McQuade

Heather Chen is a former Defector intern and the managing editor at the Columbia Daily Spectator. She loves hockey, photography, and the good ol’ state of Michigan.

Heather Wei-Xi Chen

The Secrets Of Human And Canine Fashion At The Westminster Dog Show

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Journalismism

The Washington Post Lays Off A Third Of Its Workforce, Is Dead

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, n+1, Texas Monthly, Air Mail, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates on the court after winning the Australian Open.

Tennis

A Pure Tennis Boy

Mychal Denzel Smith is the author of Stakes Is High, winner of the Kirkus Prize for Non-Fiction.

Mychal Denzel Smith

I Thoroughly Enjoyed Watching Michael Rapaport Eat Shit On ‘The Traitors’

Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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)

James Harden’s Latest Trade Demand Isn’t About Basketball

Samer Kalaf

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin during Fanatics Fest 2025

Fanatics Makes More Excuses Than Sellable Jerseys

Ray Ratto

Robert Kraft puts his arm around former Patriots coach Bill Belichick at the end of a media availability on January 11, 2024.

Two Sourpusses Missing Out On The Hall Of Fame Is The Most Uplifting Story Of Super Bowl Week

Funbag

The NFL Doesn’t Have To Pretend It’s Not An Old Boys’ Club Anymore

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Artist impression of what Prototaxites would have look like in life

Creaturefector

Who The Hell Was This?

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: Raymond Felton #20 and Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats react during a game with the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Into The Research Triangle Of Sadness, With Jacob Rosenberg

A Boston Terrier is examined in the judging area during day one of the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on February 2, 2026.

Interviews

A Westminster Dog Show Judge Tells Us What They’re Looking For

Giri Nathan

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain acknowledges fans with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after the presentation ceremony following the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 15 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 01, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz Has Conquered All Terrain

Eli Cugini

Arts And Culture

Fanfiction’s Total Cultural Victory

Dave McKenna

Jarrell Miller reacts to his toupee falling off in a heavyweight bout against Kingsley Ibeh during the Ring 6 fight at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2026 in New York City.

The Fights

Jarrell Miller Got His Hair Punched Off And Became A Hero

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Pittsburgh Penguins v Tampa Bay Lightning

Crosswords

The Crossword, Feb. 2: Hard Act To Follow

Owner Zygi Wilf, left, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, of the Minnesota Vikings talk on the sideline prior to an NFL football game sideline prior an NFL football game on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Vikings Wait Until Worst Possible Moment To Implode

Barry Petchesky

Francisco Lindor #12 of Team Puerto Rico celebrates with teammates after scoring in the fifth inning of Game 10 of Pool D between Team Puerto Rico and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

The World Baseball Classic Has An Insurance Problem

Tom Ley

Peter Attia at the Featured Session "Peter Attia: The Science and Art of Longevity" during SXSW Conference &amp; Festivals in the Hilton Austin Downtown on March 8, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (

Media Meltdowns

Bari Weiss’s Handpicked CBS Contributor Peter Attia Sent Jeffrey Epstein Gross Emails

Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.