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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

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Te-Hina Paopao #2 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after a made three-point basket at Target Center on July 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WNBA

At The Very Least, The Atlanta Dream Are Worth Watching

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 21: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball during the first half of the WNBA game at Footprint Center on May 21, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brittney Griner Is Back Where She Started

Laura Wagner

Brittney Griner in Russian court in Moscow, Russia on July 27, 2022.

Brittney Griner Is Free

Patrick Redford

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 12: A close up shot of Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury at practice and media availability during the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 11, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

Russian Authorities Move Brittney Griner To A Penal Colony

Women's Basketball

Kim Mulkey Has Nothing To Say About Brittney Griner

Report: Biden Offers Viktor Bout For Brittney Griner And Another American Prisoner

US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022.

Politics

Swapping Brittney Griner For Viktor Bout Should Be An Easy Call

<p>Maya Goldberg-Safir writes about women’s basketball and splits her time between Chicago and Oakland, where she was born and raised. She is the creator of <a href="https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/">Rough Notes</a>, a newsletter chronicling women’s basketball from the court, the road, and the heart.</p>


Maya Goldberg-Safir

Brittney Griner And The Labyrinth Of Wrongful Detainment

Tom Ley

Brittney Griner Should Have Never Been In This Situation

Shey Peddy #5 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates as time expires in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mercury defeated the Aces 87-84 to win the series.

The Old, Bruised, Dying, Dead, Shorthanded Phoenix Mercury Are In The WNBA Finals

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury attempts a free-throw shot against the Seattle Storm during game three of the WNBA Western Conference Finals at Talking Stick Resort Arena on August 31, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brittney Griner