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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

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

A high school performance of "One Day More" from Les Miserables.

Podcasts

Do You Hear The People Sing? Singing The Song Of Sequined Teens?

Patrick Redford

Announcements

‘Only If You Get Caught’ Returns Next Week

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

And Now For The Premiere Of ‘All Ball,’ In Which I Am Far Too Nice To The Vile Packers

Justin Ellis

Portrait photo of musician and podcast host Hrishikesh Hirway

Hrishikesh Hirway Learned To Live With Being Uncomfortable

Defector Has A New NFL Podcast, And It Won’t Have Any Gambling Shit In It

TORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors high fives rapper Drake during game four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on May 21, 2019 in Toronto, 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Canada Vs. America, With Jake Bittle

Turn This Segway Around

David Roth

Rich Dotson of the Chicago White Sox pitches during an MLB game at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois during the 1986 season.

Just A Minute More, With Tim Marchman

The Girlboss And The Drug Rug

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 04: (L-R) Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner attend the 2026 Met Gala celebrating "Costume Art" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 04, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

I’m On That Good Kushner Alcohol, With Harrison Faigen

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Alexander Chee performs as part of Wesley Stace's Cabinet of Wonders variety show at City Winery.

Alexander Chee Trusted His Gut

A photo I took of the sun setting over the bay in Strathmere, NJ. There's a dock at left and The Distraction logo at upper left.

The Sun Is Setting On ‘The Distraction’

people dance and celebrate pride with on another in the fountain at washington square park in new york during the Dyke March

Should You Ever Really Trust A Party Promoter?

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JULY 26: Tyga performs during Dream Fest 2025 at Sea Breeze on July 26, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

They Put A Data Center In Rack City, With Ock Sportello

A torn section of the roof sags inside the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 13, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Metrodome's roof collapsed under the weight of snow after a powerful blizzard hit the area on December 12, 2010.

In This House We Believe A Bunch Of Stuff, With Justin Ellis

A table displaying various handmade Viking axes carved by Bosnian Stipe Pleic

Eventually Everyone Needs An Axe Guy

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever reacts to DiJonai Carrington #7 of the Chicago Sky foul during the first half on August 8, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Trans Rights And Lesbian Lefts, With Maya Goldberg-Safir

A picture I took from the Brooklyn Bridge the first week I lived in New York, almost a decade ago.

What Does It Take To Make Big City Dreams Work?

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Miami Heat speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Mugged By Seagulls, With Rohan Nadkarni

A Kia Soul on display at the New York International Auto Show with a presenter dressed up as a hamster

How Far Would You Go To Save Your Kia Soul?

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA - JUNE 12: Basketball Player and Team Co-Owner of Sierra Racing Club, Kyle Kuzma poses for a photo ahead of the E1 Series Dubrovnik GP on June 12, 2026 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. (Photo by Malcolm Griffiths/Getty Images)

‘Nothing But Respect’ Is Back From Summer Break

LeBron James speaks onstage during The Shop Live panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 17, 2026.

That’s Too Much Helicopter

A young couple sitting at the Fontana della Barcaccia in Italy, the woman is attempting to take a selfie and the man is looking down at his phone

Live, Laugh, Like And Subscribe

From Baby Trans To Headlining Act

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

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