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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On July 15

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Live Event

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David Roth

Nick Sirianni, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, is escorted off the field by thirsty-ass Dom DiSandro following the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025.

NFC Championship Game: Washington Commanders v Philadelphia Eagles

Podcasts

The Eagles Fan Version Of Personal Growth, With Dan McQuade

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Patrick Redford

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands next to Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game one of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2023 in San Francisco, 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)

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors – Game One

Everyone Thinks They Have A Shot

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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

Casey Taylor

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History

The Last Living Bedwardite

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Ray Ratto

Richaun Holmes of the Washington Wizards reacts after dunking the ball as Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets looks on.

Washington Wizards v Brooklyn Nets

The Washington Wizards Have Forgotten How To Lose

<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

Whilte House Chef Rene Verdon (L) and former chef Jacques Pepin preparing a salad for a picnic on Gardiners Island. (Photo by Mark Kauffman/Getty Images)

Salad Jamboroo

Jamboroo

I Want To Focus On My Salad

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


Typing

Sabrina Imbler

a pink Amazon River Dolphin floating on back in slightly brown water

Creaturefector

Think River Dolphins Don’t Piss On Each Other? Urine For A Surprise

of the Miami Heat looks down during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center on January 2, 2025.

Indiana Pacers v Miami Heat

The Warriors And Jimmy Butler Are Trying To Stop The Clock

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Tom Ley

President of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Charlie Baker testifies before the Senate Judicary Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on December 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Committee held a hearing to investigate sports gambling. (

Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing On Sports Gambling In U.S.

Death To The NCAA

Charlie Baker And The NCAA Roll Over For Donald Trump

People organize a rally and demonstration against Elon Musk outside the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Washington D.C., United States on February 03, 2025.

Protesters rally against Elon Musk outside U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Washington D.C.

Politics

Billionaire Dipshit And His Strike Team Of Greasy Beavises Are Stripping The Wires From The Federal Government

<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 Photo

Lesley Ryder

The digital signage shows the NWSL logo on it before the National Women's Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Houston Dash at Red Bull Arena on July 31, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey.

NWSL Logo

NWSL

NWSL To Pay $5 Million To Abused Players As Part Of Settlement

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Samer Kalaf

D'Angelo Russell celebrates after hitting a game-winner

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Nets Sabotage Their Own Tank With Thrilling Upset Of Rockets

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

The plasma cannon fires a bolt of plasma.

Plasma Cannon

Science

I Would Think Nothing Of Being Shot In The Chest With This Plasma Cannon

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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

make-your-own-job

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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photo of me

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

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

nfl-end-racism-chiefs

NFL No Longer Interested In Ending Racism

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!

Jaren Jackson Jr. And The Memphis Grizzlies Are Leveling Up

Normal Gossip: portraits

Alex Sujong Laughlin

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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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Luis Paez-Pumar

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 contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


DFM New Headshot

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?

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