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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

David Roth

The animals from Paw Patrol, or more accurately people wearing costumes of the animals from Paw Patrol, waving at the Paris premiere of the Paw Patrol movie.

This Is So Stupid

Caitlin Flanagan’s Wheels Are Spinning A Little Too Fast

Taylor Swift watching the Kansas City Chiefs game on Monday night in a luxury box with Travis Kelce's mother, Donna.

Podcasts

Pinning Your Ears Back For Taylor Swift, With Giri Nathan And Samer Kalaf

Neal and Suit talking in what could honestly be any episode of the USA series "White Collar"

Arts And Culture

Background Television Isn’t As Easy As It Looks

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders congratulates his son Shadeur during Colorado's win against Colorado State on September 16, 2023.

The Coach Prime Discourse Is Decadent And Depraved

Three teens playing butts up, with one hunched over at the wall preparing to have a racquetball get thrown at his butt, per the rules.

We Need To Talk About “Chunkus”

Matt Carpenter of the Padres looking distraught during a road game against the Phillies in July of 2023.

What Are The Padres Trying To Tell Us, With Justin Halpern

Linda Yaccarino (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)

The Machines

Linda Yaccarino Is The Last Funny Twitter Bit Left

A Minnesota Vikings fan with a painted face and a goofy horned helmet looks contemplative/despondent during the team's loss to the New York Giants in the 2023 NFC Wild Card game.

What Kind Of Vikings Fan Should A Person Be?

Elder Wisdom

My Dumb Little Book

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and his team react incredulously to a call during the 2023 College Football Championship Game.

The Kings Of Shrimp Country, With Spencer Hall

Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the Minnesota Twins on August 6, 2023.

Dallas Keuchel Approaches Perfection

Miami Marlins owner Jeffery Loria looks on during a game against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 27, 2017.

Jeffrey Loria Makes A Good Point

Pete Alonso high-fives his teammates in the Mets dugout after hitting a two-run homer against the Cubs on August 9, 2023.

Pete Alonso Emo Chat, With Lindsey Adler

New York City Mayor Eric Adams sitting at a literal table with some restauranteurs at the Manhattan restaurant Ali Baba. This is not the same as the figurative "table of success" at which his haters are his waiters.

Politics

A Seat At The Table Of Success

Orioles infielder Ramon Urias slides in under the tag of Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez in an Orioles win on August 4, 2023.

The Mets Have Unlocked The Basement

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians is restrained by White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech after landing a heavy right hook to White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson's jaw during a game on August 5.

José Ramirez And Tim Anderson Had A Real Fight, Not A Baseball Fight

A stock photo of sausages cooking on a barbecue grill.

The Bib Does Nothing!

Justin Verlander of the Mets leaves the mound during his win against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, July 30.

You Have To Know How Bad You Actually Are

The Immaculate Grid for July 25, with one square (Tom Candiotti, who played for Cleveland and Milwaukee) filled in.

Nine Ways To The Immaculate

Sophia Smith lines up a shot in the US Women's National Team's game against the Netherlands in the Women's World Cup on Wednesday night.

How Much Vlatko Is Too Much Vlatko, With Abigail Segel

Shintaro Fujinami, in profile, adjusts his cap during an appearance with the Oakland A's on July 16.

Shintaro Fujinami Is Trying To Find The Feel

A group trying to rescue animals from the massive forest fire around Fort McMurray in Alberta wait at a roadblock on May 6, 2016. The Distraction logo is at top left.

To Live And Die In Petroleum Products, With John Vaillant

Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav attends the premiere of The Flash in Hollywood.

Capital

They Don’t Want Us And We Don’t Need Them

A photo of people watching fireworks over the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan.

Perspiring Freely, To Honor America

A stock photo of a man in his thirties sitting at a computer with headphones on, presumably thinking about podcasts.