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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

Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025.

Oklahoma City Thunder wins the NBA Finals

Podcasts

The Agony Of Victory, With Ray Ratto

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Kathryn Xu

Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics during the game against the Houston Astro.

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I Am Sick And Tired Of These Normie Gamer Athletes

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Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Ace Bailey (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall by the Utah Jazz during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

2025 NBA Draft – Round One

After All That, Ace Bailey Ends Up In Utah

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


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Chris Thompson

Jacob Misiorowski throws a pitch against the Pirates.

Jacob Misiorowski

Mighty Brewers Lad Out-Duels Paul Skenes

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Tom Ley

Yang Hansen speaks to the media after being drafted 16th oveall by the Memphis Grizzlies then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of 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.

The NBA Draft Provides Blessed Phrases Like “Chinese Jokic”

<p>Annie Howard is a journalist and historian based in Chicago. She is currently at work on her debut manuscript, <em>The City Made Me Trans</em><i>.</i></p>


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Annie Howard

Chloe Dzubilo Untitled Crossed the Street

Arts And Culture

Chloe Dzubilo And The Perilous Path Forward For Trans Life

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Samer Kalaf

New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) (L) is joined by fellow mayoral candidate Brad Lander during an election night gathering

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Politics

The Politics Of Fear Don’t Work Against A Candidate Who Isn’t Scared


<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

A protester holds a backwards American flag outside of Dodger Stadium during a protest against the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and ICE immigration raids on June 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Dodgers/ICE Protests

The Dodgers Are Disappointing The People Who Want To Love Them The Most

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Kelsey McKinney

Two new bombshells stand inside a heart that says "home run" underneath a sign that says 4th base.

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I Love My Daily Sports Shows: Baseball And ‘Love Island’

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Billy Haisley

Image from the music video of Halc DJ's "Tamborzada do Submundo."

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Music

Halc DJ’s Brazilian Funk Album Fights A Righteous War Against The Algorithms

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Lauren Theisen

Richard Lovelady #57 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday

Atlanta Braves v. New York Mets

Not Even Dicky Lovelady Could Rescue The Mets

Ketel Marte is consoled by Torey Lovullo and Luis Perdomo.

Ketel-Marte-Upset

Simply Don’t Be A Shithead

<p>Joshua Needelman is a journalist based in New York City who has written for The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The Guardian and more. He has dabbled in yoga and meditation for more than a decade. He enjoys eating (and making) pizza, as well as rooting for the New York Knicks, whom he is available to coach next season.</p>


Joshua Needelman

Yoga Guru Sex Abuse

Yoga

What The Guru Left Behind

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Barry Petchesky

Chris Robinson of the United States stands at the finish line after competing in the Men's 400 Meters Hurdles during the third leg of the Grand Slam Track series at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on May 31, 2025. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto)

Grand Slam Track In Philadelphia – Day One

Life's Rich Pageant

Hurdler Wins 400-Meter Race Despite His Dick And Balls Falling Out Several Times

<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

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets reacts after throwing an interception against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on January 05, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Miami Dolphins v New York Jets

Funbag

Fuck Sore Losers

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris (L) and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attend an event with U.S. President Donald Trump on the NFL Draft in the Oval Office of the White House on May 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump announced that the 2027 NFL Draft will be held on the National Mall.

President Trump Announces 2027 NFL Draft To Be Held On The National Mall

How The NFL Gets Away With It

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Media Meltdowns

ESPN’s NBA Finals Coverage Was A Pretty Rough Watch

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

Jackie Young #0 and Jewell Loyd #24 of the Las Vegas Aces talk as they wait for an Indiana Fever player to shoot a free throw in the fourth quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on June 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Fever 89-81.

Indiana Fever v Las Vegas Aces

WNBA

Can You Count Out The Aces?

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Ray Ratto

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred (L) and principal owner John Fisher of the Athletics shake hands after participating in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the A's new stadium in Las Vegas.

Athletics Break Ground At Las Vegas Ballpark Site

Take A Look At These Ghouls

Sarah Brouillette

Man uses vintage typewriter

The Plight Of The White Male Novelist

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addresses the media following a speech at an event for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on June 22, 2025 in New York City.

Andrew Cuomo Campaigns For Mayor Of New York

Andrew Cuomo Is A Future Of The Democratic Party

Bruno Henrique #27 of CR Flamengo celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group D match between CR Flamengo and Chelsea FC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 20, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

CR Flamengo v Chelsea FC: Group D – FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Soccer

South America Rules The Club World Cup

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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

Masked federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 18, 2025 in New York City. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), NYC Comptroller and Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander and Council Member Alexa Avilés visited immigration courts to watch proceedings a day after NYC Comptroller and Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents while accompanying a person out of a courtroom as people continue to be detained following immigration court hearings.

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Margin Of Error

No Time For Theatrics

<p>Alex Shultz is a journalist based in Brooklyn.</p>


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Alex Shultz

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) speaks to press after voting on the nomination of Michael Duffey to be Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment on June 02, 2025 in Washington, DC. Senators returned to Capitol Hill on Monday after the Memorial Day Holiday recess.

Senators Return To Capitol Hill After Memorial Day Holiday Recess

Nobody Wants To Talk About John Fetterman And Buzz Bissinger’s Pricey Memoir Project

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 13: Andrew Nembhard #2 celebrates with Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 13, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Pacers defeated the Pacers 114-105. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers – Game Five

The Pacers Were Too Cool To Make Sense

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