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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

Katharine Trendacosta writes about tech policy, the entertainment industry, pop culture, and where those things intersect. In her day job, she&#8217;s the Associate Director of Policy and Activism for the digital civil liberties nonprofit the Electronic Frontier Foundation. (Her writing here reflects her views alone and not those of EFF.) In her spare time, she writes things like this.

A photo of the author, Katharine Trendacosta

Katharine Trendacosta

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Striking SAG-AFTRA members picket with striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers outside Netflix offices on July 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Members of SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood's largest union which represents actors and other media professionals, have joined striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers in the first joint walkout against the studios since 1960. The strike could shut down Hollywood productions completely with writers in the third month of their strike against the Hollywood studios. Netflix reported second quarter earnings after the closing bell today.

Arts And Culture

The Hollywood Strike Forces A Reckoning For The Trades

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Shohei Ohtani stands in the dugout before game two of a Wednesday doubleheader.

Shohei Ohtani’s Arm Kerploded And The Angels Are In Hell

Kathryn Xu

Tim Anderson scores the game winning run on a throwing error by the Seattle Mariners.

New Era Of White Sox Baseball Begins With Helmet-Bonk Walk-Off

Albert Burneko

Atlético Madrid forward João Félix, looking perplexed or perhaps disgusted from the bench.

Soccer

What The Hell Is Going On With João Félix?

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) lays on the turf as Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Riley Patterson (10) is mobbed by teammates after hitting a game winning field goal in an AFC Wild Card game at TIAA Bank Field.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Los Angeles Chargers

Dave McKenna

Moron Pushing Petition To Rename Commanders Has Long History Of Being A Moron

Ray Ratto

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright throws what looks like a circle-change against the Kansas City Royals

Chasing A Round Number In A Zero-Sum Season

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

A drawn still from Diana's Piano. It looks hand drawn, maybe even even pencil marks. A red-headed girl with a white cat next to her plays a grand piano in a pink-ish void.

Animals

“Diana’s Piano” And All The Cats I’ve Loved And Lost

Screenshot from tripleS LOVElution's "Girls' Capitalism" music video, with text reading, "Rule No. 1 Don't Cry Be Rich."

Music

TripleS And The Rise Of K-Pop Girls’ Crypto-Capitalism

Patrick Redford

The table with the chess board appears ready for the game between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi on the first day of competition at the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament on June 17, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Miguel Pereira/Getty Images)

Chess

The International Chess Federation’s Argument For Banning Trans Women Gives The Game Away

Lauren Theisen

Trea Turner is sprayed with water after his walk-off

The Power Of The Standing Ovation Has Healed Trea Turner

Rob Mains is a writer at Baseball Prospectus.

Rob Mains

Baltimore Orioles co-owner John Angelos seen looking into space at the press conference introducing Mike Elias as the team's GM back in 2018.

John Angelos Speaks, Or Count The Number Of Things Wrong With This Paragraph

Jerry Reinsdorf Chairman of the Chicago White Sox on the field before the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 29, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.

Jerry Reinsdorf Is Bored And Cranky

Knicks owner James Dolan, seen here leering weirdly at a Knicks/Lakers game in 2019. He has a goatee.

Who Would Steal The Business Secrets Of The New York Knicks?

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 27: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins stretches with Tua Tagovailoa #1 during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex on July 27, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Miami Dolphins

Julio Rodríguez during the Chicago White Sox game, notably not geared up to play

Only The Fragility Of The Human Body Can Slow Down Julio Rodríguez

Victor Francos at left and RFEF chief Luis Rubiales, smirking in the center, at a reception following the Spanish women's team's triumph in the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Luis Rubiales Can’t Even Be A Pig Right

Golfer Scottie Scheffler, mid-swing, with a Funbag badge at the end of his club.

Funbag

The Ryder Cup Is The Only Good Form Of Team Golf

Israel Daramola

20 Years Later, ‘Oldboy’ Still Lives Up To The Hype

Dennis Young is the news editor at Front Office Sports.

Dennis Young

Sha'Carri Richardson celebrates her 100-meter final win at the 2023 track and field world championships.

Track And Field

American Track Now Has Its Most Electric Sprinters In Years

Hesse Deni is a podcaster and screenwriter from Buffalo, New York currently living in Manhattan. Her podcast is called Seeking Derangements and is available on all major platforms.

Hesse Deni

Veteran broadcasters Harry Neale (left) and Rick Jeanneret (right) of the Buffalo Sabres get ready for their game

Rick Jeanneret’s Voice Gave Buffalo Hope

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 21: Joey Slye #6 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with teammates after kicking the go-ahead field goal against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of the preseason game at FedExField on August 21, 2023 in Landover, Maryland.

The Stupidest Streak In Sports Ended In A Really Stupid Way

Davey Martinez emerges from the dugout during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Nationals Finally Managed To Retain Some Guys

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Serie A Tim match between Bologna FC and AC Milan at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on August 21, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Defector Up All Night

Christian Pulisic Is So Back

Billy Haisley

Jennifer Hermoso, Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes of Spain celebrate with the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy after the team's victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia.