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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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Tom Ley

WNBA

Atlanta Dream And WNBA Embrace Anti-Trans Losers

<p>Mychal Denzel Smith is the author of <i>Stakes Is High</i>, winner of the Kirkus Prize for Non-Fiction.</p>


Mychal Denzel Smith

Politics

The Crazy Thing About “Woke 1” Was How It Was Exploited

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Steve Ballmer attends the Los Angeles Clippers &amp; Comcast NBCUniversal's NBA All-Star Legendary Tip-Off Celebration at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on February 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/WireImage)

ESPN Reports Steve Ballmer Cleared By NBA’s Kawhi Leonard Investigation, NBA Says Otherwise

Kathryn Xu

Jake Bauers of the Milwaukee Brewers diving past Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt on a play at home plate.

Eventually You May Have To Believe In The Dang Milwaukee Brewers

Angel Reese’s Game Is Too Weird Not To Appreciate

Kelsey McKinney

slideshow showing "learning to score a baseball game" in a bar

I Taught A Scorekeeping Class And Everybody Came

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<div>Casey Taylor is a writer living and working in Pittsburgh. He is currently writing a book for St. Martin&#8217;s Press about cannabis religions, Haile Selassie I, and the Cold War in the Caribbean. He also writes a free newsletter called <a href="https://weedchurch.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://weedchurch.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1709306863919000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mVH2xiID6S0zvlyj6yHco">Weed Church</a> covering foolish spiritual things that occur to him. His work has appeared in The New Republic, WIRED, New York Magazine, and a sports blog he can’t currently recall the name of. You can <a href="mailto:caseyt7@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email</a> him if you’d like.</div>
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Casey Taylor

Arts And Culture

The Fight To Save The Remarkable, Upsetting Murals Of Maxo Vanka

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Midge Purce #23 of NJ/NY Gotham FC warms up before the match against the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Aug. 17: Roster Talks

<p>Matt Ufford is the head of video and audio at Yahoo Sports.</p>


Matt Ufford

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Minnesota Vikings

Ray Ratto

Mr. Manfred Calling For Mr. Walter

Dave McKenna

Gaelic Football

How Do You Get Over The Greatest Sports Story Of All Time?

Brandy Jensen

A Brief Consideration Of Some Fictional Big Boys

In His Debut Game, Joshua Baez Ties Stump Wiedman On Career Homers List

Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm shoots against Serah Williams #25 of the Portland Fire during the first half at Moda Center on August 08, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

The Storm Are The WNBA’s Tank Champions

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners heads back to the dugout after striking out in the second inning against the New York Yankees.

How And In What Manner Cal Raleigh Put The Ass Back In Big Dumper

Veronica de Souza

Make It Nice

Make It Nice: Is There Such A Thing As A Good-Looking Dog Crate?

Edwin Diaz looking morose in the dugout all by himself

More Like Edlose Diaz

<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

INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 14: Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell cheers on his team on the field during pregame warmups before an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, December 14, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire)

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Detroit Lions

College Football

Jayden Daniels Won’t Tolerate Some Scrub Wearing The Same Number He Did On His Journey To The ReliaQuest Bowl

David Roth

A torn section of the roof sags inside the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 13, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Metrodome's roof collapsed under the weight of snow after a powerful blizzard hit the area on December 12, 2010.

Podcasts

In This House We Believe A Bunch Of Stuff, With Justin Ellis

Giri Nathan

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks after a steal against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)