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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

Kathryn Xu

al Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates in the dugout with a trident after hitting a home run.

The Rime Of The Big Dumper, Or How And In What Manner Cal Raleigh Became A Bona Fide Slugger

David Roth

Denzel Clarke of the Athletics makes an amazing catch and nearly vaults over the wall during the game between the Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday, June 9, 2025.

I Think This Is The Best Catch I’ve Ever Seen

A Toys R Us store that was shuttered in 2018 is seen on June 21, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The company was bought and destroyed by private equity.

Interviews

Megan Greenwell On Living Under And Outside Of Private Equity, The Invasive Species Eating American Life

<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

Mike Patton from Faith No More performs at 2015 Rock in Rio on September 25, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Funbag

In This House We Believe Faith No More Is One Of The Most Important Bands In History

Patrick Redford

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 21: Veronica Burton (center) #22 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates with her team after the Valkyries beat the Washington Mystics at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 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)

WNBA

The Golden State Valkyries Are Beloved And Ahead Of Schedule

Lauren Theisen

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 09: A plastic rat is seen on the ice after the Florida Panthers 6-1 victory in Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Brad Marchand Is Still A Royal Pain In The Ass


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Staff Writer</p>


Israel Daramola

Music

Is This An Era Of Cultural Stagnation?


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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

Marc Maron performing stand up comedy. He is sitting on a stool and holding a microphone

Arts And Culture

There Will Never Be Another ‘WTF With Marc Maron’

Barry Petchesky

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 09: Jonah Gadjovich #12 of the Florida Panthers tangles with Darnell Nurse #25 of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Panthers Are Having A Laugh

Dave McKenna

Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork scores a point from a '65 in the last play of extra-time to send the match to a penalty shoot-out during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

Hurling

Cork Whoops Limerick, Proving Hurling Shootouts Aren’t Ass

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 04: Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Aaron Wiggins Is The Key To Understanding OKC’s Revolutionary Depth

Kelsey McKinney

Mia Scott, wearing the all white Texas uniforms, runs between second and third base.

College Softball

My Queen Mia Scott Is A National Champion

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nuno Mendes of Portugal runs to the ball during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

Soccer

Nuno Mendes Made The Nations League Worth The Hassle


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

Joy Binion, formerly a social science analyst at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMSHA

An Interview With A Terminated Analyst At The Substance Abuse And Mental Health Administration


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Rose Eveleth is the host of the podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flashforwardpod.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flash Forward</a>, and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flashforwardpod.com/book/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the book by the same name</a>.&nbsp;<br></p>


Rose Eveleth

The Orlando Valkyries celebrate winning the 2025 PVF championship

Volleyball

The Battle For Professional Volleyball Has Officially Begun

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Skylar Diggins #4 of the Seattle Storm reacts during the third quarter of a 2025 Commissioner's Cup game against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on June 01, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

Crosswords

The Crossword, June 9: Yes, Chef!

EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 06: Edmonton Oilers Center Connor McDavid (97) races towards the puck in the third period in game two of Stanley Cup Final Edmonton Oilers game versus the Florida Panthers on June 06, 2025 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

We Don’t Speak Connor McDavid

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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

Andrew Cuomo speaks in the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate at NBC Studios on June 4, 2025 in New York City.

Margin Of Error

Andrew Cuomo Is Garbage

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


Chris Thompson

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is defended by Andrew Nembhard.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Can Make Anyone Look Bad

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz holds the trophy after winning the men's singles final match against Italy's Jannik Sinner on day 15 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 8, 2025.

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz Wins The Match Of A Lifetime

Albert Burneko

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals

If I Were The Oklahoma City Thunder, I Would Simply Sustain A Lead All The Way To The End Of Game 2

Paris, France - June 7: Coco Gauff of United States with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy after her victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Coco Gauff Won’t Be Rattled

<p>Former Defector intern, now freelancer.</p>
<p>For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Lucy Bloom

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) hits an RBI single

Dillon Dingler Demonstrates Delightful Distinction

Tony Shalhoub accepts the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for The Band's Visit onstage during the 72nd Annual Tony Awards

Staff Chat

An Experimental Staff Chat: Let’s Talk Tonys

Elon Musk speaks during a news conference with President Trump on May 30, 2025 inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington.