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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

SF, Philly, DC: Meet Defector at the Ballpark

Vintage Baseball Stadium Postcard

Defector at the Ballpark

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Puja Patel is a writer, editor, and curator who has served as the Editor-in-Chief of Pitchfork and <em>Spin</em>, a culture editor for Deadspin, and a columnist for MTV and the <em>Village Voice</em>. Her work has appeared in publications such as the <em>New Yorker</em>, <em>Harper&#8217;s Bazaar</em>, and <em>Rolling Stone,</em> among others. She serves on the advisory board of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and Building Beats, a nonprofit organization that provides music education to underserved youth across New York City and Los Angeles.</div>
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Puja Patel

Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue

Mods Asleep

Just A Tip

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Israel Daramola

2 small boys playing Street Smart video game

2 small boys playing Street Smart video

A Playlist Of Pop That Sounds Like My Gamer Youth

<p>Tommy Craggs is an editor and writer, late of <i>Game Theory With Bomani Jones</i> on HBO, <i>Mother Jones</i> (no relation), HuffPost, Slate, Gawker Media, and Deadspin. He&#8217;s part of the Flaming Hydra cooperative of independent writers and artists. <a href="https://flaminghydra.com/#/portal/signup" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flaminghydra.com/%23/portal/signup&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1720555755229000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0dYzV3TRg8TTAptAnFcs6h">Subscribe to the newsletter here</a>.</p>


Tommy Craggs

An orchestra rehearsal, c

Are We Playing It All Wrong?

Dave McKenna

Fans of Elvis Presley (1935-1977) gather to celebrate his memory during an impersonator contest in Memphis.

Elvis Week 1992

Remembering My Elvis Death Week Pilgrimage, 35 Years Later

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Ray Ratto

Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals gets sacked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, at Paycor Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cincinnati Bengals

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Cincinnati Bengals

<div>Jaime Brooks is a writer, musician, and poster who lives in Astoria, Oregon. She has written for <a href="https://thenewinquiry.com/blogs/streaming-services/">The New Inquiry</a> and has a Substack called <a href="https://jaimebrooks.substack.com/">The Seat of Loss</a>.</div>
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Jaime Brooks

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What Caused The Current Country Boom?

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Kathryn Xu

(L-R) Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie of BLACKPINK perform onstage at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

2023 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival – Weekend 2 – Day 2

Has The World’s Biggest K-Pop Group Already Come And Gone?

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Sarah York

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to catch a pass in the endzone in the San Francisco 49ers versus the Arizona Cardinals NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.

San Francisco 49ers v Arizona Cardinals

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Arizona Cardinals

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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

The Apartheid Museum, featuring collections of photographs, documents and materials exhibited in its galleries.

Apartheid Museum of South Africa

Margin Of Error

Tyranny Is Managed Into Existence

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Kelsey McKinney

screenshot from the movie barbie of margot robbie with the text "do you guys ever think about dying"

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A Playlist To Escape The Summertime Blues 

<p>Clover Hope is a Brooklyn-based writer and author of the award-winning book <a href="https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/the-motherlode"><i>The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop</i></a>. Her writing has appeared in <i>Esquire</i>, <i>Men&#8217;s Health</i>, <i>Elle</i>, ESPN, <i>Billboard, </i>and <i>GQ</i>, among others.</p>
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Clover Hope

Screenshot from Hulu's tv series remake of 'High Fidelity'

Screenshot 2025-08-10 at 4.18.27 PM

The Trials Of Finding Love As A Music Snob

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


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Sabrina Imbler

Adelie penguins on nests, Antarctica.

How Climate Change Is Transforming The Soundtrack Of The Natural World

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Billy Haisley

Boy in a pedal car. Driving his pedal car on the pavement outside his house.

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A Playlist Of Ear-Splitting Brazilian Funk Ideal For A Long Drive

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Lauren Theisen

Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour"

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour – Toronto, ON

Taylor Swift Turned Me Straight

<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

Safety Jeremy Chinn #11 of the Washington Commanders deflects a pass intended for tight end Kyle Pitts #8 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, at Northwest Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.

Atlanta Falcons v Washington Commanders

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Atlanta Falcons

<p>Jordan Sargent is a writer and music industry professional living in Brooklyn. His work has appeared in Gawker, Pitchfork, Slate, and more.</p>


Jordan Sargent

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There Has Never Been A Better Time To Be A White Rapper

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Temi Fágbénlé #14 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts against the Las Vegas Aces in the third quarter at Chase Center on August 06, 2025 in San Francisco, California.

Las Vegas Aces v Golden State Valkyries

Crosswords

The Crossword, Aug. 11: Lose Control

Tina Turner Hugs Cher At The MTV Awards Party

Huddle Up, Take A Knee: It’s Puja Week

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and co-founded the website <a href="http://popcorntennis.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://popcorntennis.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PFWw6PL-FUqaCMME5TLqP">popcorntennis.com</a>. He wrote 63,000 words about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry that can be accessed for free at <a href="https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OjAHpo4PVIhkx8Xd21lRJ">thegoldenrivalry.substack.com</a>.</p>


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Owen Lewis

Victoria Mboko of Canada reacts against Naomi Osaka of Japan during the Women's Singles Final match on day twelve of the WTA 1000 National Bank Open at IGA Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

WTA 1000 National Bank Open presented by Rogers  – Final Day

Tennis

Victoria Mboko Is Here To Break Brains

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Brandy Jensen

Shakira Austin #0 of the Washington Mystics shoots the ball against Maria Kliundikova #77 of the Minnesota Lynx in the first quarter at Target Center on August 08, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Washington Mystics v Minnesota Lynx

WNBA

Why A Bunch Of Real Dicks Keep Throwing Fake Ones

Sarah Jessica Parker in 'And Just Like That...'

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Arts And Culture

And Just Like That… It’s Over

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Tom Ley

an old-timey family sitting around the radio

Family Night In

Announcements

Programming Notes

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Defector Staff

Our Gang for DUAN

Staff Chat

Well Look At That, It’s Time To Chat With The Defector Staff Again

The ballroom photo from the end of The Shining

Shining+Black+and+White

You’re Invited To Defector’s Fifth Birthday Party And Also Some Baseball Games

Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts is sacked by Danielle Hunter #55 of the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Indianapolis Colts

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