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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

Tom Ley

A biblically accurate angel surrounded by wings

Wings Week

It’s Wings Week

Luis Paez-Pumar

Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain scores his sides second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.

Soccer

Spain Was Unstoppable To The Very End

Lauren Theisen

two actors sitting on stage, looking at each other, in Illinoise

Arts And Culture

‘Illinoise’ Carries The Spirit That Makes Sufjan Stevens Special

Theater marquee asking "Who is the Mole?"

The Winner Of ‘The Mole’ Broke The Game

Ray Ratto

Andrew Vaughn #25 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after striking out against the Minnesota Twins on July 10, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

The White Sox Can Be Eliminated On August 9, And Other All-Star Break Truths

Kelsey McKinney

Life's Rich Pageant

This Is NOT A Damn Bell!!

Albert Burneko

Some lovely beefsteak tomatoes, still growing on the vine.

The Great Outdoors

Another Garden Check!

<p>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.</p>


Owen Lewis

Tennis

Wimbledon Is The Theater Of The Comeback

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


Heather Wei-Xi Chen

CHICAGO - MAY 27: of the Chicago Blackhawks of the Philadelphia Flyers during Stanley Cup media day at the United Center on May 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

What’s The Use Of Insiders If They Only Scoop Press Releases?

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 11: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 11, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Save Paul Skenes’s Arm, For The All-Star Game

Defector Up All Night

An Important Bro Summer Update: Drink Of The Summer

Patrick Redford

VILLENEUVE-SUR-LOT, FRANCE - JULY 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) Biniam Girmay of Eritrea and Team Intermarche - Wanty - Green Sprint Jersey celebrates at finish line as stage winner ahead of (L-R) Wout Van Aert of Belgium and Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Pascal Ackermann of Germany and Team Israel - Premier Tech and Jasper Philipsen of Belgium and Team Alpecin - Deceuninck during the 111th Tour de France 2024, Stage 12 a 203.6km stage from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot / #UCIWT / on July 11, 2024 in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Cycling

Biniam Girmay Is The New Sprint King

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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

US President Joe Biden speaks as he hosts a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (out of frame) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2024.

Margin Of Error

What’s The Story With Joe Biden?

<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

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 05: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during an event on the South Lawn of the White House August 5, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden delivered remarks on the administration’s efforts to strengthen American leadership on clean cars and trucks. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Joe Biden Should GTFO, With Rohan Nadkarni

Gregg Berhalter, Head Coach of United States reacts after the first half during the CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024 Group C match between Panama and United States at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

The Era Of Low Expectations Is Over

Life and Trust logo on skyscraper background

The Master Key To Great Immersive Theater Is People

Israel Daramola

People during the concert before the meeting with Franklin Graham in Krakow, Poland on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto)

Music

Why Are So Many Concert Tours Getting Canceled?

Billy Haisley

Players of Spain celebrate on the bench as Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Semi-Final match between Spain and France at Munich Football Arena on July 09, 2024 in Munich, Germany.

The Legend Of Lamine Yamal Has Its First Chapter

Uruguay forward Darwin Núñez (19) engages with hostile fans in the stands after the CONMEBOL Copa America semifinal between Uruguay and Colombia on Wednesday July 10, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

The Copa América Semifinal Ended With Uruguay Players Fighting Colombia Fans

Ollie Watkins of England celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates from the substitutes bench during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.

England Finally Got It Right

Head Coach Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State speaks/attends the 2024 Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at Allegiant Stadium on July 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)

College Football

Mike Gundy On Running Back’s DUI Arrest: “I’ve Probably Done That A Thousand Times In My Life”

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


Chris Thompson

These Dang Reds Have Found Another Cool Guy To Squander


<p>Corey Atad is a freelancer writer based in Toronto with an unhealthy Air Bud obsession.</p>


Corey Atad

‘The Bear’ Misses What’s Truly Toxic About Fine Dining

Daniil Medvedev hits a shot between his legs

Daniil Medvedev Stole Some Of Jannik Sinner’s Glory

George Clooney, as Michael Clayton, talks into a cell phone while walking down a city street at night.