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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 plate of seared scallops with potatoes, mushrooms and creme fraiche sauce with leeks.

Podcasts

Consider The Emotional Lives Of Scallops

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

Toward A Proper Definition Of “Overrated”

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Ross Sorkin speaks with FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried during the New York Times DealBook Summit in the Appel Room at the Jazz At Lincoln Center on November 30, 2022 in New York City. The New York Times held its first in-person DealBook Summit since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with speakers from the worlds of financial services, technology, consumer goods, private investment, venture capital, banking, media, public relations, policy, government, and academia. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

We’re Still Living In The World Sam Bankman-Fried Made

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 04: Fans cheer after Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated Yibing Wu of China in their Men's Singles Third Round match on Day Six of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Honey Deuce McBride, With Giri Nathan

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

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

Announcements

‘Only If You Get Caught’ Returns Next Week

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.