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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

Patrick Redford

A general view of an NBA on NBC camera during the game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 25, 2025.

Let’s Check In On The State Of The NBA’s National Broadcasts

Stephen A. Smith playing solitaire on his phone during the NBA Finals

Gambling

Stephen A. Smith And Other ESPNers Partner With Obscenely Scuzzy Mobile Casino

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

ESPN Will Not Let Failure Push It Out Of The Gambling Business

A detailed view of a hand holding a Fanduel Sports Network–branded microphone during an interview after the Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics on February 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

The NBA Media Is Not Built To Cover A Gambling Scandal

Giri Nathan

Shams Charania Tries Out Legal Commentary, With Perplexing Results

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 07: ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on set ahead of Super Bowl LIX on February 07, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will face each other on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Journalismism

Adam Schefter Reports That Mark Sanchez Was Stabbed In “Robbery,” Doesn’t Explain His Error

Steve Ballmer Pleads Ignorance About Kawhi Leonard’s Outside Money

Samer Kalaf

Don’t Let The Shills Tell You The Commercial-Free Service Should Have Commercials

ESPN Demotes Wrong Culprit From Lousy NBA Finals Commentary Team

Media Meltdowns

The Feds, Unlike Shams Charania, Have Not Cleared Malik Beasley’s Gambling Case

Ray Ratto

A ESPN Monday Night Football television camera prior to an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

ESPN Now Partially Owned By Biggest League It Reports On

Tom Ley

Pat McAfee Declares Himself A “Girl Dad” In Apology To Harassed College Student

David Roth

Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025.

Podcasts

The Agony Of Victory, With Ray Ratto

ESPN’s NBA Finals Coverage Was A Pretty Rough Watch

Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after a three point basket during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena on April 29, 2025 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.

Nobody Can Do That

Albert Burneko

A four-square of Brian Windhorst talking, with a little Windy in the middle as well

This Is So Stupid

Allowing For Various Metaphors

Shedeur Sanders is selected at the NFL Draft

Shedeur Sanders’s Weekend Of Humiliation Ends With Him Going To The Browns

Shannon Sharpe Stepping Away From ESPN Following Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Barry Petchesky

Mark Messier, Namesake And Sole Voter Of Mark Messier Leadership Award Presented By Mark Messier, Knows How To Fix The Rangers: Mark Messier

Kelsey McKinney

Patrick McAfee You Are 37 Years Old

ESPN: LeBron James, On ESPN, To ESPN: “ESPN.”

Why Did Adam Schefter Write “Composite Matchups” Like This?

Oratorical Uncles Bond Over Increasingly Reactionary Views

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Jason Kelce with his past and future selves in a bit from the first episode of his late night show. This skit was pretty good!

Jason Kelce, Who Was Already Everywhere, Is Now In Late Night

During an interview with sportscaster Greg Gumbel (right), American disc jockey (from WLUP radio, 'The Loop') Steve Dahl breaks a disco record over his head prior to hosting an anti-disco promotion at Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, July 12, 1979. The event, held between games of a doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers, allowed fans to attend the games for 98 cents along with an unwanted record and, following the detonation of those records, eventually resulted in the White Sox forfeiture of the second game due to unsafe playing conditions when fans stormed the field causing serious damage to the venue and playing surface.

Greg Gumbel Kept It All In Perspective

ESPN