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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

Sophie Cunningham announces a round in a lightweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

WNBA

Sophie Cunningham Is About As Edgy As A Beach Ball

Tom Ley

Media Meltdowns

ESPN Just Keeps Getting Smaller And Louder

Giri Nathan

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 30: Bam Adebayo #13 and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat look on at the end of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Kaseya Center on March 30, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Various Reports Dispute Where Bam Adebayo’s Fist Landed On Tyler Herro’s Face

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Matt Miller does an ESPN pre-draft segment

ESPN’s Matt Miller Investigated For Alleged Consumer Fraud While Recovering From Emergency Arm Amputation

Samer Kalaf

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel Jr. (69) before an NFL game

Journalismism

ESPN Retracts Article About NFL Player And Dead Woman In Dominican Republic

Patrick Redford

Podcasts

In This House We Believe In Highlights, With Samer Kalaf

Stephen A. Smith attends the game between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers

Stephen A. Smith Attributes Outstanding NFL Performance To The Late Charlie Kirk

Year In Review

Presenting The 2025 Shams Charania Award For Excellence In Divulging Of Information Through Syntax Comprehended By Many

A screenshot of the "defector browser", which is just a simple looking browser but with slanted top and bottom like the Defector logo, and it's on a pale blue background, and the webpage up is a pixel art of an office that's an Athletic Director's office

Creator Of Athletic Director Simulator Supremely Chill About ESPN Copying His Idea

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

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

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)

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

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

ESPN Demotes Wrong Culprit From Lousy NBA Finals Commentary Team

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

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.

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

ESPN