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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

Giri Nathan

Zion Williamson stands still during a pause in the action

Report: Zion Williamson’s Contract Is Not Guaranteed For The Last Three Years

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

A mother marks her son's height on the door with a pencil, circa 1950. (Photo by FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

When Your Kids Are Kids Again

Tom Ley

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Wells Fargo Center on December 20, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joel Embiid Will Drive You Nuts

Jae Towle Vieira [they/them] works as a producer for Normal Gossip. Their fiction has been published in The Normal School, New England Review, Carve Magazine, Passages North, Fairy Tale Review, and elsewhere.

Jae Towle Vieira

Normal Gossip logo with cartoon characters gossiping

Podcasts

We Must Do Something About The Dog Lobby

Patrick Redford

COLUMBUS, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: MLS Commissioner Don Garber speaks during his state of the league address ahead of the 2023 MLS Cup at Lower.com Field on December 08, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Soccer

MLS Tries, Fails To Chart Bold New Frontier In Anti-Competitivity

Ja Morant of the Grizzlies scores the game-winning basket against the Pelicans

Ja Morant Returns, Lifts Grizzlies From Muck

Dave McKenna

Tommy DeVito Eats Crow, Dough To Quash Quarrel With New Jersey Pizzeria

Hater's Guide

The 2023 Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog

Ray Ratto

Aaron Rodgers Suspends His Purely Hypothetical Achilles Injury Comeback Tour

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A flattened scroll of lead with words etched on it: “sathanas taleke belzebuk hinrik berith”

Science

This Month In Curse Tablets

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

Diana Moskovitz

Von Miller #40 of the Buffalo Bills on the field before a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.

How Long Can The NFL Keep The Volume Down About Von Miller’s Arrest?

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

Dan McQuade

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass for a touchdown passed James Bradberry #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

The Eagles (Actually) Stink!

A crowd of Icelanders stands in awe of the volcanic cloud

The Icelandic Eruption Is Finally Here

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla points in two directions while looking in a third.

This Is So Stupid

Do You Have What It Takes To Put Two On The Ball?

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 20: Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Deane Leonard (33) handles his mouthguard between downs in the first half of a preseason NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire)

Funbag

Put In That Mouthguard, Young Man!

Lauren Theisen

You Never Know When Your Last Win Comes

Bill Simmons advertising a same-game parlay.

Gambling

Sports Betting Industry Finally Predatory Enough To Make Money

Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith (back R) reacts during the NHL Global Series Ice Hockey match between Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators in Stockholm on November 16, 2023. (Photo by Henrik MONTGOMERY / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)

Fish And Hockey Coaches Quickly Start To Stink

James Harden dribbles up the court while smiling.

This Might Be Working After All

New York Mayor Eric Adams gives a thumbs up as he leaves his weekly press conference at New York City Hall on November 14, 2023. FBI agents seized the New York mayor's cell phones and other devices, his campaign lawyer said 10 November, 2023, in an apparent escalation of a federal investigation into campaign fundraising. The seizure appears to be part of a corruption investigation into whether Eric Adams' 2021 campaign conspired with Turkey's government and others.

Politics

Eric Adams: The Beauty Of New York Is That There Are Terrorist Attacks And Also Stores That Open

Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in the second half during an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Capital One Arena on November 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Jordan Poole Slipped In His Own Slime

Everton's Manager Sean Dyche during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on December 10, 2023 in Liverpool, England.

Sean Dyche Is Proving He Was Never A Dinosaur

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings (2nd L) reacts with teammates after making a three-point basket in the third quarter U at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)