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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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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Kathryn Xu

MLB umpire Pat Hoberg looks on during a game between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs on May 12, 2023.

patHobergGambling

MLB Loses Its Best Umpire To Sports Gambling

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


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Nicholas Russell

Two hands, a drawing, holding an orange sign with yellow text that reads: MAKE YOUR OWN JOB

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Interviews

The Power Of Negative Thinking

<p>Raphael Orlove is a freelance writer and editor with a few events under his belt as a rally co-driver. You may have seen his work on Robb Report, Road &amp; Track, Jalopnik, or the briefly-aired Car vs America TV show if you have a very extensive cable subscription.</p>
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Raphael Orlove

Stephane Lhonnay gives a thumbs up while driving his recce car

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Racing

On The Road With The Monte Carlo Ice Crews, Who Keep Disaster At Bay

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Giri Nathan

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates a call in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2025 in New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets v New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson Plays Like A Rolling Rock

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Samer Kalaf

A Chiefs end zone with the NFL slogan "End Racism"

nfl-end-racism-chiefs

NFL No Longer Interested In Ending Racism

<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>


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Drew Magary

Protestors gather outside of USAID headquarters on February 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Elon Musk, tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said in a social media post that he and U.S. President Donald Trump will shut down the foreign assistance agency.

Musk, Department Of Government Efficiency Move To Shut Down USAID

Funbag

Help! I’m Worried The Government Will Stiff Me On My Paycheck!

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Chris Thompson

Jaren Jackson Jr. And The Memphis Grizzlies Are Leveling Up

Normal Gossip: portraits

Alex Sujong Laughlin

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Ray Ratto


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Typing

Sabrina Imbler

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Defector Reads A Book

‘The Artist’s Way’ Week 4: We Are Deprived

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Israel Daramola

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Patrick Redford

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Luis Paez-Pumar

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Tom Ley

Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during The Pop Out – Ken &amp; Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch at The Kia Forum on June 19, 2024 in Inglewood, California.

The Pop Out ‚Äì Ken & Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch

Defector Music Club

Defector Music Club Travels Back To M.A.A.D City

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 01, 2024 in Sacramento, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs v Sacramento Kings

The De’Aaron Fox Trade Is A Bet On Victor Wembanyama


<p>Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.</p>


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Diana Moskovitz

An interior view of the field showing the New Orleans Saints logo.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New Orleans Saints

Emails Show How Saints Leadership Offered To Help Local Clergy With Damage Control Amid Sexual Abuse Crisis

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) and Canucks center J.T. Miller (9) talk during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks, held on January 29, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

NHL: JAN 29 Canucks at Predators

Beef-Ending Trade Of J.T. Miller Leaves Vancouver Sports Media With Nothing To Talk About

Minnesota Timberwolves v Dallas Mavericks

No But Seriously, Why Did The Mavericks Trade Luka?

of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Golden State Warriors.

Chicago Bulls v Golden State Warriors

These Times Call For More Trade Chaos

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Billy Haisley

Jhon Duran of Aston Villa gives a thumbs up during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

Aston Villa FC v Celtic FC – UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8

Soccer

Will Jhon Durán Ever Be Back?

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 31: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks to drive around Olivier-Maxence Prosper #8 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 31, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 117-102. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham Will Beat You Up

New York Liberty Forward Breanna Stewart celebrates the team winning the WNBA championship during their parade on October 24, 2024 in New York City. Fans lined the streets north along Broadway to City Hall through what's known as the "Canyon of Heroes" to celebrate the Liberty's first WNBA championship after a 67-62 overtime victory on Sunday over the Minnesota Lynx. The Liberty were the top seed with a league-best 32-8 record.

New York Liberty Ticker Tape Victory Parade & Rally

Crosswords

The Crossword, Feb. 3: Space Jam


<p>Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.</p>


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Dan McQuade

Groundhog handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil after he did not see his shadow predicting an early Spring during the 138th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Friday February 2, 2024 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in the United States and Canada. Over 40,000 people spent a night of revelry awaiting the sunrise and the groundhog's exit from his winter den. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his den. Dereume is wearing a top hat and has a grey beard and he's in a black coat.

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Animals

Here’s A Supercut Of Groundhog Day In Punxsutawney

Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Emirates Stadium on February 02, 2025 in London, England.

Arsenal FC v Manchester City FC – Premier League

Arsenal Did To Manchester City What Manchester City Used To Do To Everyone Else

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Justin Ellis

President Trump walks across the south lawn of the White House in a black coat after returning from a trip

President Trump Returns To The White House From Florida

Politics

The Witch Hunt

Dave McKenna

Bundee Aki of the Irish National Rugby team scores on a try while being tackled by Tommy Freeman of England during the first round of the Six Nations Rugby Championship

Ireland v England – Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship

Rugby

Ireland Moves Toward Historic Rugby Threepeat While Humiliating Failed Imperialist Nation Where Rugby Was Invented

Arizona State University basketball coach Bobby Hurley freaks out at a referee after one of his players is ejected from a game

Arizona v Arizona State

College Basketball

You Can’t Be Headbutting Dudes On The Basketball Court

A photo of Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic shurgging on court during a game

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Two

Mavericks Send Luka Doncic To The Lakers In Trade Best Described With Unhinged Obscenities

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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

Journalists raise their hands in an attempt to ask a question of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 31, 2025 in Washington, DC.

white house press

Margin Of Error

Look For The Helpers

Laura Stacey #7 of the Montreal Victoire skates during warmups prior to the game against the New York Sirens at Place Bell on December 4, 2024 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The New York Sirens defeated the Montreal Victoire 4-1.

New York Sirens v Montreal Victoire

PWHL

Laura Stacey Has No Rust To Shake Off

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