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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.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Ray Ratto

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 24: The Seattle Kraken celebrate the winning goal by Jordan Eberle #7 against the Colorado Avalanche during overtime in Game Four of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche v Seattle Kraken – Game Four

The Kraken Are For Real

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - MARCH 11: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers at Celebrity Flag Football Charity Event at Saddleback College on March 11, 2023 in Orange County, CA. (Photo by Aubrey Lao /Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers RX3 Charity Flag Football

New Old Quarterback, Same Old Jets

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 10: Owner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders walks onto the field prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Is Where Billionaires Go To Feud

Los Angeles, - April 20: Kawhi Leonard, center, of the LA Clippers looks on from the bench in street clothes against of the Phoenix Suns in the first half of game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns defeated the LA Clippers 129-124 to win game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game.

It’s About Star Power

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors and Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors – Game Three

Draymond Who?

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: A general view during a game between the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics on May 17, 2022 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Oakland Athletics v Minnesota Twins

The A’s Are A Poison Pill

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors steps over Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings in the second half during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, California. Green was issued a flagrant foul 2 on the play, and ejected from the game. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings – Game Two

Draymond Shit The Bed

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 21: The Green Monster is painted ahead of 2023 MLB Opening Day on March 21, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Fenway Park Prepares for 2023 Opening Day

Baseball Is A Buffet

A photo with added illustration of Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, with his tongue sticking waaaaay out to the side. As in, it almost reaches his jacket collar.

snyder-tongue

What Comes After Dan Snyder?

Relief pitcher Sergio Romo #54 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after getting out of the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 8, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona.

San Francisco Giants v Arizona Diamondbacks

Sergio Romo’s Sendoff Was Almost Perfect

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees smiles during Spring Training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 23, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)

New York Yankees Spring Training

The Yankees Could Be Meaner

Willis Reed in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1970 NBA Finals.

New York Knicks Willis Reed, 1970 NBA Finals

Willis Reed Met The Moment

Shohei Ohtani exultantly celebrating after getting the final out in Japan's victory over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan

The World Baseball Classic Showed The Sport Where To Find Its Joy

Ottawa Senators goalie Dylan Ferguson celebrates after a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ottawa Senators v Pittsburgh Penguins

Dylan Ferguson Took The Long Way

Roger Goodell speaks to the assembled media with kind of a dippy grin on his face before the Super Bowl in February of 2023.

Super Bowl LVII – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Press Conference

Roger Goodell Got A Big New Contract To Do The Same Old Thing

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 1: Michael Jordan attends the game between the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets on March 1, 2023 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

Orlando Magic v Charlotte Hornets

Michael Jordan Is Getting Out Because The Getting’s Always Good

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors falls to the ground after scoring a basket during the second half against Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on March 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Clippers

The Warriors’ Road Woes Could Earn Them A Rare And Unpleasant Trip To Beamtown

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs onto the field before a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers Has The NFL Media Right Where He Likes It: Hostage

Snyder Mouth 2

We Deserve A Little Bloodshed Before Dan Snyder Sells The Commanders

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 04: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up during pregame against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Santa Clara, California.

Miami Dolphins v San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo Came And Went

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: BBC sports presenter and former England international football player Garry Lineker returns home on March 13, 2023 in London, England. The BBC will review its social media guidelines and how they apply to freelance talent outside of news following Mr Lineker's suspension for comments he made on twitter appearing to criticise the UK government's new asylum policy. Gary Lineker will return to host BBC sports shows this weekend after reaching a deal with the corporation.

Twitter Row Between Gary Lineker And The BBC Resolved

Media Meltdowns

Gary Lineker Routs BBC

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Gary Lineker looks on from the stands during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at The King Power Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Leicester, England.

Gary Lineker at Leicester City

Soccer

How Gary Lineker Brought the BBC To Its Knees

Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker leaves his home in London following reports that the BBC is to have a "frank conversation" with the ex-England striker after Home Secretary Suella Braverman branded as "irresponsible" the TV presenter's comments in which he compared the language used to launch the Government's new asylum policy to 1930s Germany. Picture date: Thursday March 9, 2023.

Gary Lineker comments on Illegal Migration Bill

‘Match Of The Day’ Pundits Boycott Show In Support Of Gary Lineker [Update]

TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 11: A CFL logo on an official Canadian CFL league ball during warm-ups before the Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL game against the Toronto Argonauts on July 11, 2013 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Saskatchewan Roughriders v Toronto Argonauts

After 41 Years, Nonexistent CFL Team Slightly Closer To End Of Nonexistence

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 30: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after being called for a foul during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on January 30, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Raptors 114-106. 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.