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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

Israel Daramola

The ‘Succession’ Misery Index: Life Isn’t Nice, It’s Contingent

Lauren Theisen

College Football

Shemy Schembechler Experiences Sudden Change Of Heart About Slavery After Short-Lived Michigan Job


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

A car rides on a Roomba as bears scurry away

Video Games

My Car Has Legs And Bears Are Cheering For Me

Giri Nathan

Joe Mazzulla Looks Totally Lost Out There

Albert Burneko

Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. reacts to being sent off against Valenica CF after incidents of racism from fans

La Liga

La Liga’s Racism Problem Boils Over

Barry Petchesky

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 21: Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring the game-winning overtime goal against the Dallas Stars in Game Two of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 21, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Golden Knights Have The Edge No Matter The Score

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Round 3 Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jimmy Butler Is A Good College Player In Reverse

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets react after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of game 3 of a Western Conference finals NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Nikola Jokic Was There When It Mattered Most


<p>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

Chris Pine attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Paramount Pictures' and eOne's "Dungeons &amp; Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" at the Regency Village Theatre on March 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Very Short Debates

Is Chris Pine, Who Along With Patty Jenkins Joined The WGA Picket Line And Brought Empanadas, The Best Hollywood Chris? A Very Short Debate

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Celtics Are Gifting The Heat This Series

Kelsey McKinney

Zillowing Out

A $1.2 Million House Where We Can Be A Sim

<div dir="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/NotTheBobbyOrr">Robert Orr</a> is an author of Baseball Prospectus.</div>


Robert Orr

Tampa Bay Rays Randy Arozarena and Brandon Lowe celebrate Lowe's two-run homer in a May game.

How The Rays Raised Their Offensive Game

Lynn Williams #6 of the United States controls the ball during the SheBelieves Cup game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

Soccer

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Lynn Williams

Maitreyi Anantharaman

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 13: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty drives against A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of their preseason game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Liberty 84-77.

WNBA

The Superteams And The Other Teams: A Preview Of The 2023 WNBA Season

LeBron Cost The Lakers

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition annual leadership meeting on November 19, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The meeting comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump becoming the first candidate to declare his intention to seek the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential race.

Reports: Mets Owner To Do Something Stupid

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who sucks at his job

Media Meltdowns

How Not To Interview A Transportation Secretary

Ray Ratto

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 18: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal during the fourth overtime to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 18, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

Game 1 Didn’t Last Long Enough

<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

LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 01:A general view of the stadium after the game between the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Browns at FedExField on January 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The Commanders’ New Owner Is Eyeing An Exciting Opportunity To Piss Off Grateful D.C. Fans

Dearica Hamby #5 of the Las Vegas Aces looks on in the locker room before Game 2 of the 2022 WNBA Finals on September 13, 2022 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Dearica Hamby Trade Will Always Sting

David Roth

Split image: Dan McQuade (left) wearing an American Dream EST. 2019 hoodie standing next to a cardboard cutout of Shrek at the DreamWorks Water Park inside a mall. David Roth (right) pointing up at the "WINNERS CIRCLE" entrance at the old Meadowlands Arena.

Life's Rich Pageant

Dan And Dave Explore The American Dream (Mall)

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


Sabrina Imbler

A close-up of a clay model from Mesopotamia that dates back to 1800 BCE, depicting a nude couple kissing and copulating.

Science

When Was The First Sexy Kiss?

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


Chris Thompson

Members of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence pose at a pride event.