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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

Patrick Redford

A black-and-white image of some nerds doing computing and codebreaking at an IBM 7090 Data Processing System in the early 1960s.

Journalismism

One Weird And Unusual Trick To Deciphering And Decoding A Josina Anderson Report Or News Item

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Fashionable women's bags hang along the sidewalk storefronts on Canal Street in New York City.

Under The Influence

What’s In A Knockoff?

<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

LAS VEGAS, USA - JANUARY 06: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivers a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, showcasing the company's latest innovations in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on January 6, 2025. At the event, Huang unveiled advanced AI for training robots and cars, enhanced gaming chips, and Nvidia's first desktop computer, while also detailing how the company was expanding its data center AI technology to consumer PCs and laptops.

Funbag

AI Learned It By Watching You

David Roth

Congestion pricing, or Congestion Relief Zone, car toll sign on the westbound Long Island Expressway approaching Van Dam Street in Queens, New York on Jan. 5, 2025.

Democracy Dies As Awful Man No Longer Able To Freely Drive 18 Blocks In Manhattan

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


Chris Thompson

Life's Rich Pageant

A Comprehensive And Maddening History Of Color Star, Would-Be Titans Of Just About Anything

Giri Nathan

LiAngelo Ball #18 of the Charlotte Hornets stands on the court in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Spectrum Center on October 05, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Middle Ball Brother Finds Basketball-Free Success

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Mike Evans (13) makes a catch on the last play of the game to get his 11th 1000 yard receiving season during the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 05, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

The Bucs Risked It All For Mike Evans

Dave McKenna

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Skip Bayless is seen on October 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA.

Media Meltdowns

Lawsuit Claims Skip Bayless Tried To Pay FS1 Hairstylist For Sex

Capital

The Logic Of Private Equity Explains The Park City Ski Patrol Strike


<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

<p>Lesley Ryder is a writer and a host covering the Chicago Red Stars. She co-created <a href="https://galpalsports.com/">Gal Pal Sports</a>, a platform that lives to make women’s sports fun for everyone.</p>


Lesley Ryder

San Diego Wave FC signage is displayed before the game between San Diego Wave FC and North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium on September 08, 2024 in San Diego, California.

Soccer

Sixth Ex-Wave Employee Joins Lawsuit, Alleges Supervisor Sent Her Dick Pics

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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

First responders wearing Hazmat gear investigate a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of the entrance to the Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas on Jan. 01, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Margin Of Error

How Crazy Was The Las Vegas Cybertruck Bomber?

Barry Petchesky

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Everything Aaron Rodgers Has Blamed This Year

Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Tigers reacts in a game against the UCLA Bruins during the first half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 30, 2024 in Albany, New York.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Jan. 6: Miss Me

Ray Ratto

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Lions Are For Everyone

Kelsey McKinney

Underexplained Lists

Discourses We Can Stop Having, Ranked

A wide-angle view of the total eclipse of the Moon of November 8, 2022, with the red Moon at right amid the stars of the northern winter sky and Milky Way, plus with bright red Mars at top. Above and left of the Moon is the blue Pleiades star cluster, while below it and to the left is the larger Hyades cluster with reddish Aldebaran in Taurus. The stars of Orion are left of centre, including reddish Betelgeuse, while at far left are the two Dog Stars: Procyon, at top, in Canis Minor, and Sirius, at bottom, in Canis Major. So this is a gathering of many red stars, planets and the rare red Moon. I shot the frames for this scene beginning at 3:50 am MST, 10 minutes before mid-totality during this 1h25m-long total eclipse. . (Photo by: Alan Dyer/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Life Lessons

Look Up!

Arts And Culture

I Demand The National Agricultural Library Publish This Book Right Now

10 November 2024, Bavaria, Munich: American Football, NFL, Carolina Panthers - New York Giants, Matchday 10, Main Round at the Allianz Arena: Coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants takes part in a press conference after the game. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images)

History

New York Giants: Season In Review

Elias Pettersson #40 and J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks discuss game play during the second period of their NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena on December 23, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Vancouver’s Favorite Sport Isn’t Hockey, It’s Talking About Locker-Room Beefs

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 12: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Kaseya Center on December 12, 2024 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)

The Jimmy Butler Fiasco Is Getting Ugly

Israel Daramola

College Football

Burying The SEC Feels Too Good To Be Wrong

Defector Staff

Accademia carrara art gallery: playing cards and tarots, bembo e cicognara, 1455-1490, bergamo, Italy.

Underexplained Predictions For 2025

Lauren Theisen

Bob Dylan plays a Fender Jazz bass with the harmonica around his neck while recording his album 'Bringing It All Back Home' on January 13-15, 1965 in Columbia's Studio A in New York City,

Music

You Can Only Catch Bob Dylan With Time

Safety Xavier Watts #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Defensive Lineman Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Linebacker Jack Kiser #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Quarterback Riley Leonard #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hoist the Allstate Sugar Bowl trophy after the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus Georgia Bulldogs College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 2, 2025.