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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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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.

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Jae Towle Vieira

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Podcasts

Nothing Says Love Like A Family Heirloom Fight

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Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with her team after defeating the New York Liberty during Game Four of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 18, 2023 in New York City. The Aces defeated the Liberty 70-69. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

2023 WNBA Finals – Game Four

Why WNBA Owners Cheated To Help Their Players

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 02: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Ball Arena on April 02, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs v Denver Nuggets

A Unifying Theory Of European Hoopers, With Tom Krell

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David Roth

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after a loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers – NFL 2025

All Things Must Pass, With Matthew Coller

The Tulip Clause

Shams Charania breaks some news, grainily

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Sources: The Opening Domino Of The 2025 Shamsy Selection Process Has Fallen Invariably, Will Spawn Numerous Pathways For Unique News

Exhaust fumes adding to the air pollution in Santiago, Chile, in 1962.

City Smog

Another Side Of Carbon Dioxide, With Peter Brannen

The Petty Feuds Of A Dog In Therapy

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Is It Even Possible To Cheat On ‘The Bachelor’?

BOSTON, MA - CIRCA 1984: Referee Earl Strom #12 looks on prior to the start of an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics circa 1984 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Strom was an NBA referee for 29 years. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Earl Strom

Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics

The Ray Ratto Guide To Officiating

Normal Gossip: portraits

Alex Sujong Laughlin

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Ronald Young Jr. Comes Clean

A barn near Litchfield, Connecticut. It is painted in a faded red, and there's an American flag painted on the front of it. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Barn near Litchfield, Connecticut

A Long Weekend In “Magary Country”

Motive, Opportunity, And Sweet Potato Pie

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 24: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors waves to the crowd as he walks off the court after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on November 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers v Toronto Raptors

Welcome To The ‘Nothing But Respect’ Media Hour