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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

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce walks on the sidelines during the NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens.

Antonio Pierce Abruptly Realizes He Is Coaching The Raiders

Justin Ellis

Red crime scene tape marking off an area outside the Trump International Golf Club sign in West Palm Beach, Florida, as law enforcement investigate an apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Politics

Cope Is A Terrible Way Not To Die

Luis Paez-Pumar

Leandro Trossard of Arsenal leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Soccer

Arsenal–Manchester City Clash Ruined By Premier League’s New Focus On Delays Of Game

Kathryn Xu

Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore.

Racing

Lando Norris Is Nearly Perfect

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Nathan Chen of Team United States reacts during the Men Single Skating Free Skating on day six of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on February 10, 2022 in Beijing, China.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Sept. 23: Peach Turnover

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Under The Influence

Is It Possible To Create Anticapitalist Work On Social Media? 

Barry Petchesky

SAN DIEGO, CA - Chicago White Sox playes look out from the dugout during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres, September 22, 2024 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

The 2024 White Sox Have Achieved The Abominable

Tom Ley

Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after assisting Alysha Clark #7 of the Aces on a basket against the Seattle Storm in the second quarter of Game One of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs first round at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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.

WNBA

The Aces Come From Every Direction

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on September 22, 2024 at the Superdome.

Eagles Remember They Should  Give The Ball To Saquon Barkley More

Israel Daramola

Darold DeNgohe and Khairi Manns of the James Madison Dukes react after recovering a turnover against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of the game on September 21, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. James Madison would win 70-50.

College Football

The Dukes Ran The Tar Heels Out Of Their Own Building

University of Colorado students swarm the field and surround football player Yahya Attia after the Buffaloes overtime win against the Baylor Bears, 38-31.

Death To The NCAA

Colorado’s Never Boring, That’s For Sure

<p>Matthew Coller covers the Minnesota Vikings for <a href="https://purpleinsider.com/">Purple Insider</a> and is author of the book <a href="https://www.triumphbooks.com/football-is-a-numbers-game-products-9781637272183.php"><em>Football is a Numbers Game</em></a>. He moonlights as a writer for the <a href="https://herhoopstats.com/">Her Hoop Stats</a> newsletter and dominates as a rec league spot-up shooter.</p>


Matthew Coller

The New York Liberty prepare to play against the Atlanta Dream at Barclays Center on September 19, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Dream defeated the Liberty 78-67. 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.

The Liberty Have A Lot To Prove


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Jordan Chiles of Team United States is seen prior to competing in the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Floor Exercise Final on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France.

Olympics

A Documentary About Simone Biles Might Save Jordan Chiles’s Bronze Medal

Patrick Redford

A splitscreen image. On the left, New York magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi. On the right, former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Media Meltdowns

New York Magazine Suspends Olivia Nuzzi Over “Inappropriate Relationship” With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) does an interview with FOX Sports Tom Rinaldi after the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints.

Derek Carr Is Officially Too Racy For The NFL

Music

Sunset Rubdown’s Spencer Krug Doesn’t Want To Live In The Past Forever

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<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

LOGAN, UT - SEPTEMBER 14: Caleb Lohner #84 of the Utah Utes catches a touchdown pass over JD Drew #3 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game at Maverik Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Logan, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Football Will Live Or Die With Its Rivalries

Sydney Colson #51 of the Las Vegas Aces drives against Cecilia Zandalasini #9 of the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Guide To The Future Bench Heroes Of The 2024 WNBA Playoffs

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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

Donald Trump makes a loony-eyed face while speaking at IAC.

Margin Of Error

Where Racism Goes To Become Rhetoric

Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN discussing trade proposals for Jerami Grant

Journalismism

What Is The Cost Of A Woj Bomb?

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Ohtani is now the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Shohei Ohtani Is Playing A Sport Of His Own

David Roth

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Red Sox at Comerica Park.

Mild Card Season, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners reacts in the dugout after striking out during the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees.

Do Not Believe In The Seattle Mariners

Fans gather for the Vol Walk prior to kickoff between the Tennessee Volunteers and Kent State Golden Flashes

Tennessee’s “Talent Fee” For Tickets Is The First Domino

Billy Haisley

Antonio Rüdiger of Real Madrid celebrates with team mates their team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid CF and VfB Stuttgart at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.