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Defector

Patrick Redford

Lance Armstrong is seen on January 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Cycling

Lance Armstrong Is Suddenly Concerned With Fairness In Sports

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 24: Ryne Stanek #45 of the Houston Astros reacts to a balk call from second base umpire Junior Valentine #25 as he comes off the field, allowing Jonny Deluca #89 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to score a run for an 8-7 Dodgers lead, after the end of the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Astros Reliever Melts Down After Balk Call Gives Dodgers Game-Winning Run

Ray Ratto

Jordan Lyles Finally Got His Win, Against The Rays Of All Teams

Samer Kalaf

A closeup of the Qatar World Cup gold medal

Capital

Qatar’s Interest In The Washington Wizards Is The Next Step

David Roth

Moms For Liberty activists rally against COVID mask mandates in Viera, Fl. in June of 2023.

Politics

The Country’s Most Unpleasant Moms Will Not Be Cowed By People Pointing Out The Big Hitler Quote On Their Newsletter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Scoot Henderson celebrates after being drafted third overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 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)

The Blazers Are At A Fascinating Crossroads

Tom Ley

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 13: in Game Five of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NHL Scurries Away From Its Pride Night Problem

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


Sabrina Imbler

Stockton Rush, OceanGates chief executive, spoke at a press conference said during a press conference next to the Cyclops 1, a five-person sub that is different from the one used in the Titanic expedition

Science

What Is Extreme Tourism For?

Barry Petchesky

30 May 1993: Pitcher Jose Canseco of the Texas Rangers prepares to throw the ball during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. It was his last inning as a pitcher and he returned to outfielder duties. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport

Who Is The Best Position Player To Be An Emergency Pitcher?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Whatever The Warriors’ Plan, It Doesn’t Involve Jordan Poole

Luis Paez-Pumar

Sophia Smith #11 of the United States runs on the field during a game between Ireland and USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Soccer

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Sophia Smith

Shams Charania gestures during an interview.

Media Meltdowns

Shams Charania’s Whoopsie Sure Made Someone A Lot Of Money

Maitreyi Anantharaman

MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 20: Corbin Carroll #7 of the Arizona Diamondbacks rounds second base in the first inning during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Look At Corbin Carroll Go!

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

CARSON, CA - FEBRUARY 20: United States players celebrate a second own goal in their favor during a match between New Zealand and United States as part of SheBelieves Cup 2022 at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 20, 2022 in Carson, California. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

The USWNT World Cup Roster Doesn’t Answer All My Questions

Lauren Theisen

Arts And Culture

‘The Comeuppance’ Is The Great American Millennial Play

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


Dan McQuade

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 21: NFL Quarterback Aaron Rodgers participates in a talk with author Aubrey Marcus as part of Psychedelic Science 2023 in the Bellcor Theatre of the Colorado Convention Center on June 21, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

People Paid Money To Go To A Psychedelics Conference And Listen To Aaron Rodgers Say, “Words Are So Interesting”

Mr. Met striking a benignly unsettling Mr. Met-style pose on the field during a Mets game.

Podcasts

The Minimum Amount Of Podcast Allowed By Law

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

Defector At The Movies

‘The Flash’ Resurrecting Christopher Reeve Is Nothing But Bad News

14 Feb 1993: Leftwinger Alexander Mogilny of the Buffalo Sabres moves the puck during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

Alexander Mogilny Is Hockey History Even If The Hall Of Fame Doesn’t Think So

Dave McKenna

High School Sports

In Praise Of Andre Jackson, A Dunker From The Gods

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Draft Prospects Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson visit the Empire State Building on June 20th, 2023 in New York City, New New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

Defector Up All Night

What Kind Of Table Are Overtime Elite Twins Amen And Ausar Thompson Going To Use To Accommodate Their Family And Others Of Note During The NBA Draft Tomorrow?

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 29: Bill Simmons is seen on March 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by gotpap/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Bill Simmons Finds Himself In Row Across The Pond After Slagging Off Harry And Meghan

Arike Ogunbowale signs a t-shirt for a fan after being ejected.

WNBA

The Arike Ogunbowale Show Doesn’t End With An Ejection

Giri Nathan

Wemby Takes New York

<p><a href="http://www.ddavisla.com"><span style="font-weight: 400">David Davis </span></a>is the author of <i>Wheels of Courage: How Paralyzed Veterans From World War II Invented Wheelchair Sports, Fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation</i> and <i>Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku</i>. He lives in Los Angeles.</p>
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