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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

A Mariachi Band performs on Cinco De Mayo as writers on strike march with signs on the picket line on day four of the strike by the Writers Guild of America in front of Netflix in Hollywood, California.

Podcasts

A Symphony Of Solidarity Honks, With Adam Conover

Israel Daramola

Lauren Theisen

Vincent Mason aka P.A. Pasemaster Mase aka Maseo aka Plug Three, David Jude Jolicoeur aka Trugoy the Dove aka Dave aka Plug Two and Kevin Mercer aka Posdnuos aka Mercenary aka Plug Wonder Why aka Plug One of the hip hop trio De La Soul pose for a portrait in 1990.

Defector Music Club

‘De La Soul Is Dead’ Made Us Nostalgic For Skits And Samples

Malik Monk prepares to push the button that illuminates the beam after Sacramento's win against Golden State in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs series.

The Beam Shines For All, With Patrick Redford

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud during his session at the NFL Combine in March of 2023.

Positively Covered In Belichick Dander, With Rivers McCown

Former President Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene during the 3rd round of the LIV Golf Invitational Series in July of 2022.

Politics

Who Could Mistake Tucker Carlson For Anything Else?

Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins and teammate Linus Ullmark #35 share a hug after Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Please Like Her Sports, With Lauren Theisen

The United States Supreme Court building seen from a distance, through a window, from inside a darkened room.

The Art Of American Conservatism

White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa upends Twins outfielder Byron Buxton in a collision near second base on April 12, 2023.

The White Sox Are The Most Dangerous Team In Baseball*

Luka Doncic smiling, kind of, for the camera before an early April Mavericks game against the Bulls in which he did not play.

Scuffing Up The Gossip, With Kelsey McKinney

Former President Donald Trump arrives for his arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 4, 2023.

It Only Seems Unprecedented

A photo of a bunch of people hooting and partying at the MTV Spring Break event in Cancun in 2014.

Drinking Schnapps On Spring Break

New York Mayor Eric Adams throws out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium in May of 2022.

Local Politicians Enthused By Return Of Base Ball

Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell shrugs after hitting a big shot in the Wildcats' Elite Eight game at Madison Square Garden.

Live From The Game Of Somebody’s Life, With Dan McQuade

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Marc Andreessen onstage at the TechCrunch Disrupt festival in 2016.

The Limits Of The Billionaire Imagination Are Everyone’s Problem

Dillon Brooks smiling on the floor during a Grizzlies game against the Philadelphia 76ers in February of 2023.

The Man Who Loved Dillon Brooks, With Rohan Nadkarni

A Mark Rothko painting, featuring his signature planes of color, on display in Munich's Kunsthalle in 2008.

Arts And Culture

Bob Nightengale Is Capturing The World Baseball Classic As Only He Can

A collage of uncanny images from the deeply uncanny promotional video released by LIV Golf before its March event in Tucson, Az.

Golf

Are You Ready To Party With LIV Golf?

Purdue center Zach Edey scowls at and squeezes a basketball during the Big Ten Championship Game against Penn State.

Season Of The Oaf, With Ken Pomeroy

Aaron Rodgers is congratulated by Allen Lazard during a Packers game on Christmas Day in 2021.

Aaron Rodgers Has The Jets In A Headlock

Shohei Ohtani looking swole as hell during Samurai Japan's training before the 2023 World Baseball Classic, with The Distraction logo at upper left.

My Fabulous Vacation Home On Naboo, With Michael Schur

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer looking very interested during an October 2022 tour of the future Clippers arena, which it turns out will have a lot of toilets in it.

Entire Clippers Roster Gathers To Watch Team Owner Shout “Toilets!”

David Spade on the set of his 2019 late-night series on Comedy Central.

It’s Hollywood’s Biggest Night And All The Stars Are Out, With Vince Mancini

Mac McClung is congratulated by a bunch of much more high-profile NBA players after winning the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Utah.

Mac McClung And The Soft Bigotry Of Low Expectations, With Israel Daramola

Jacob deGrom at his introductory press conference after signing a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers.

The Jacob deGrom Experience Is A Worrying Thing

Patrick Mahomes about to complete a pass while leading his team to (spoiler alert) a win in Super Bowl 57.