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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

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Podcasts

From Baby Trans To Headlining Act

David Roth

Marcelo Mayer #11 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out to end the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on June 25, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Arachnid Surgical Robots And Neckless Third Basemen, With Paul Tremblay

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.

Jae Towle Vieira

The Haunting, The Psychic, And The Stepmom

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres makes a kind of frowny face during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Petco Park on July 12, 2026 in San Diego, California.

A Rob Deer Mystery, With Justin Halpern

The photo shows filled champagne glasses and and the top to a wedding cake of two grooms in tuxedos holding wine glasses.

The Groom Saw You From Across The Dance Floor And Likes Your Vibe

A pregnant woman sitting on the couch typing on her laptop

What Will Happen To My Ambition After Children?

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Switzerland supporters celebrate their team's victory with flares

The World Cup Quarterfinals Are Here. Pick A Team Or DIE

a classroom with desks and chairs piled on top of each other in a corner

Who Pranks The Pranksters?

Lobsters at a grocery store in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on June 13, 2026.

OK, This Is Probably Too Much Talk About The KLF

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: Olivia Miles #5 of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on June 17, 2026 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 Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)

Liv Takes Miles, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

A box of colorful friendship bracelets outside a Taylor Swift concert, the Try Hard podcast show art sits ontop of the image.

There Is No Simple Trick To Making Friends As An Adult

Melanie and Corey "explore a new connection" in the 6/23/26 episode of Love Island. It's two hot people sitting on a couch.

Folkways Of The Contemporary Sex Idiot, With Kelsey McKinney And Alex Sujong Laughlin

NBA Commissioner David Stern poses for a photograph with the NUMBER overall draft pick by the TEAM, PLAYER during the 2009 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 25, 2009 in New York City. 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.

A Sicko’s Guide To The NBA Draft, With David Lee

Vozinha of Cabo Verde gives a thumbs up during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde.

Feeling Those Good Sports Feelings, With Ray Ratto

New York Knicks owner James Dolan is interviewed by Ernie Johnson Jr. after his team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

FancyFree Is The Center Of The World, With Giri Nathan

ingrid nilsen sits behind a mic in a brown and white striped shirt. there is a flag and a plant behind her .

Why Star YouTube Influencer Ingrid Nilsen Quit Her Job

OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks reacts during the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City.

Guttural Fan Noises And Exceptional Risottos, With Giri Nathan

US President Donald Trump sits next to Knicks owner James Dolan as they attend Game Three of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Conducting A Mid-Finals Vibe Assay, With Devon Walker And Will Menaker

Senegal Men's Soccer Team centre-forward Nicolas Jackson (11) defends as United States Men's National Soccer Team defender Tyler Adams (4) works the ball during a FIFA soccer match between Senegal and the USA on May 31, 2026.

The Dutch Style Of Pickup Soccer And A Dog Named Jeff, With Leander Schaerlaeckens

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MAY 12: of Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

One Must Imagine Sisyphus Dunking, With Hanif Abdurraqib

‘Try Hard’ Is Back, Now In Video Form

The New York Knicks celebrate with the Bob Cousy Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Lost City Of Bing Bong, With David Grann

25 Mar 1997: Vancouver Grizzlies guard Greg Anthony (left) and teammate center Bryant Reeves look on during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won the game, 110-104. Mandatory

Getting Kicked Out Of The Comedian Run, With Gavin Matts

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Actors Tracy Morgan (R) and Timothée Chalamet (3R) attend Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Back-To-Back Blown Leads, With Noah Kulwin Of ‘Blowback’

John O'Brien of Troy works on a puzzle as the Times Union hosts the inaugural Upstate Crossword Championship tournament Saturday Sept. 22, 2018 in Colonie, NY.

Song Of The Puzzlesmith, With Ian Livengood

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs on May 12, 2026.

The “Too Large” Gesture, With Patrick Redford

DENVER , CO - APRIL 27: Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates making a three pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 125-113 win in game five of their NBA Playoffs series on Monday, April 27, 2026. The Timberwolves lead 3-2 as they head back to Minneapolis for game six. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

The Father Who Stepped Back, With Tom Krell

Gritty the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers skates onto the ice prior to an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 29, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Gritty Is Beside Himself, With Lauren Theisen

We Can’t Grow The Game Like This, With Danny Of Who’s Next

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (L) watches New York Knicks' center Charles Oakley (C) and Miami Heat center PJ Brown (R) go for a rebound in second period action of their game 12 April at the Miami Arena.

Getting Kicked In The Back By P.J. Brown

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to an apparent injury against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-96. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

Breaking Down The NBA’s Injury And Jeffrey Epstein Issues, With Henry Abbott

Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to take the snap of the ball at the line of scrimmage during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game.