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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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Grace Byron is a critic, reporter, and novelist based in Queens. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Bookforum, and elsewhere. Her debut novel Herculine is out now.

Grace Byron

Claire Stapleton Helped Write The Myth Of Google, But Now She’s Trying To Tell The Truth

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Collage: An old drawing of people in a lifeboat struggling against rough seas; in front of them a modern woman is popping out of the water, taking a photo of herself.

Under The Influence

What Are You Banning When You Ban Influencers?

Israel Daramola

Still image from Drake's music video for "Burning Bridges."

The Best Music Of 2026 So Far

Annie Geng

Arts And Culture

‘I Want Your Sex’ Is A Raunchy Plea For Young People To Have More Fun

Giri Nathan

A view of the Larry O'Brien championship trophy

A Review Of The Larry O’Brien Trophy, Or Anyway A Larry O’Brien Trophy

Sarah Borus

France Europe French Paris 7th arrondissement Muse Rodin Museum art sculpture hands