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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

Kelsey McKinney

taylor frankie paul in a baby blue dress looks over her shoulder at the camera

Arts And Culture

The Not-At-All-Secret Life Of Taylor Frankie Paul

Kathryn Xu

Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Audi F1 Team looks on during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China.

Racing

Not Satisfied By Fernando Alonso’s Limbs, Aston Martin’s Accursed Car Also Consumes Team Principal

Giri Nathan

Moise Koumane falls to his back in celebration

Tennis

It’s Child Week

Eleanor Russell

The New Evangelists

Patrick Redford

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images)

I’m So Sorry To Tell You This But The Lakers Must Be Taken Seriously

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A still from the trailer for Hoppers showing a beaver standing on a pile of machine rubble and proselytizing to a crowd of animals

Dam It All To Hell

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Mikayla Blakes #1 and head coach Shea Ralph of the Vanderbilt Commodores react on the sideline against the Furman Paladins in the first half at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium on November 10, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

College Basketball

The Tournament’s Best Subplot Is Shea Ralph Vs. Her Old Coach

Tom Ley

High Point Is A Deeply Weird School

David Roth

Oscar Cluff #45 of the Purdue Boilermakers looks for a shot against Morez Johnson Jr. #21 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game on March 15, 2026.

Podcasts

Let’s Get Upset, With Ken Pomeroy

Lauren Theisen

Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred

It’s Gambling

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 is interviewed with teammates Chet Holmgren #7 and Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder after beating the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 18, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Why The Thunder Have Been Cast As The NBA’s Villains, With Tyler Parker

Defector Staff

Announcements

We Have A New Culture Newsletter

Goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) of the Dallas Stars saves a shot bu right wing Valeri Nichushkin

The Central Is So Nasty

Ray Ratto

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle interviews an A's player, who is sadly Addison Russell, during Spring Training in 2014.

Journalismism

Who Told Scott Ostler He Was Allowed To Retire?

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

Dan Hurley holding a little jar of almond butter

This Is So Stupid

The Hottest Snack Of The NCAA Tournament Is Almond Butter

Jonah Walters

Stephen Fishbach’s Reality-TV Novel Is More Reality TV Than Novel

Barry Petchesky

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Team United States defeated Team Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the Gold medal. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Hockey Boy Wants His Hockey Puck

Arizona Wildcats players pour confetti on the head coach Tommy Lloyd after winning the Big 12 Tournament championship game between the Houston Cougars and the Arizona Wildcats on March 14, 2026.

There Is No Resting State Of March Madness

<a href="https://twitter.com/kenpomeroy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ken</a> has been cranking out college basketball statistics at <a href="http://kenpom.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kenpom.com</a> since 2004. He’s written at The Athletic, Slate, the late ESPN The Magazine, and the late Basketball Prospectus. He hopes to live long enough to see the men&#8217;s game start using quarters, like every other basketball league in the world.

Ken Pomeroy

Braden Smith of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates with his teammates after being named outstanding player of the tournament after winning the championship game of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Championships on March 15, 2026.

March Madness’s Phony Rules Were Made To Be Broken

Dave McKenna

Howard players celebrate their victory in the locker room

Howard’s First NCAA Tournament Win Was A Long Time Coming

Kiki Iriafen #44 of the Washington Mystics, Gabby Williams #5 of the Seattle Storm, Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces, Sonia Citron #2 of the Washington Mystics and Brittney Sykes #15 of the Washington Mystics wear shirts saying "Pay us what you owe us" prior to the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WNBA

The WNBA And Players’ Union Have A Verbal Agreement On A New CBA

Samer Kalaf

Team USA looks on after losing to Venezuela in the WBC final

Good Riddance To Red Asses

Alex Caruso tries to block a shot with his shoe

Oklahoma City Thunder Defense Innovates With Sneaker Block

Israel Daramola

Life's Rich Pageant

Let’s Catch Up On The Hilarious Afroman Defamation Trial

Luis Paez-Pumar

Members of Team Venezuela celebrate on the podium after the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team USA at loanDepot Park on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida.