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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.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris debate on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Margin Of Error

Donald Trump Talked Honestly About Policy

Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 10.34.24 AM

Abigail Segel

in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Round of 16 match at Commonwealth Stadium on June 22, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada.

United States v Colombia: Round of 16 – FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015

Soccer

Alex Morgan Knew How To Use The Spotlight

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


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Nicholas Russell

Aaron Pierre's character in Rebel Ridge, surrounded by police

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Arts And Culture

‘Rebel Ridge’ Is As Sharp As Revenge Thrillers Get

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Soraya Roberts

Adam Sandler: Love You. Adam Sandler at the Nocturne Theater in Glendale. Cr.

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Adam Sandler Lets Us Love Him

<p>Michael Rosen is a transportation planner and author of the <a href="https://pitchplots.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pitchplots.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725119706246000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LfT9S-qtmoiPwAXtsicWT">&#8220;Pitch Plots&#8221;</a> Substack. He lives in Los Angeles.</p>


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Michael Rosen

An umpire mediates between two people networking

SABR

Looking For Friends Among Baseball’s Most Passionate Nerds

<p>Dayna Evans is a baker and writer who got really into surfing recently. She runs Downtime Bakery in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia.</p>


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Dayna Evans

The Great Outdoors

East Coast Surfing’s Rich, Overlooked Legacy Gets Its Due

<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Dennis Young is the news editor at Front Office Sports.</span></p>


Dennis Young

David Roche sprays a bottle of champagne after winning the Leadville 100

david-roche-ultramarathon

Interviews

How David Roche Nearly Ran His Dick Off And Maybe Changed Ultrarunning In The Process

<div dir="ltr">
<div>Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. Her debut novel, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sXpgNMmxpIwmIZOFd-Pnw">One of the Boys</a></i>, is set to be released on May 13th, 2025 by Levine Querido. Her personal website can be found <a href="http://victoria.monster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://victoria.monster&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PrZ7PkO1IykxAodWoMLI_">here</a>.</div>
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Victoria Zeller

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Highmark Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bears won 33-6.

Chicago Bears v Buffalo Bills

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Buffalo Bills

<p>John Loeppky is a freelance writer and theatre artist currently based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His work has appeared for outlets such as FiveThirtyEight, CBC, and <em>Maclean’s</em>.</p>


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John Loeppky

Paris , France - 26 August 2024; A general view of the Agito logo on the Arc de Triomphe in advance of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – Previews

Parasports

Why Aren’t Paralympic Broadcasters Better?

<p>Alex Prewitt is a writer in Brooklyn. He shoots free throws the normal way.</p>


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Alex Prewitt

Timber Cleghorn stands shirtless in front of his shelter on the show 'Alone.'

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Anxiety, Injury, And Constipation: An Executive Producer Discusses The Toll On ‘Alone’ Contestants


<p>Richard Staff is a <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardStaff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weapons-grade Twitter goblin</a> and hostage of the Mets. That is his real name.</p>


Richard Staff

An illustration of several baseball mitts trying to catch the same ball

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The Minor League Shrink And The Growing Gap Between Triple-A And The Bigs

<p>Brandy Jensen lives in New Orleans with her dogs.</p>


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Brandy Jensen

September 1958: An employee of the 'Housewives Help Service' hoovering the living room of a businesswoman while she relaxes. (Photo by Frank Martin/BIPs/Getty Images)

Mind Your Feet

Funbag

Which Chore Gets Forgotten The Most Often?

Donald Trump wears an ain't-I-a-stinker smirk while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks onstage at a campaign event at which the latter announced the end of his presidential campaign and endorsement of the former.

RFK Jr.

Stupid And Contagious

<p>Justin McHenry is an archivist and historian from West Virginia, and the author of <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/lemuria-the-true-story-of-a-fake-place/19663689">Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place</a> </i>and the upcoming book, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/raising-philadelphia-the-making-of-america-s-first-great-city-1750-1775-justin-mchenry/20390701?ean=9781955041201">Raising Philadelphia: The Making of America&#8217;s First Great City</a>.</i></p>


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Justin McHenry

MILL CREEK, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 6: Smoke shrouds Mt. Shasta as the Park Fire burns on August 6, 2024 in Mill Creek, California. (Photo by Ethan Swope/Getty Images)

Park Fire Grows In Size Sparking New Evacuation Orders

History

How AI Copyright Law Is Being Guided By Spirits From Atlantis

<p>Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.</p>


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Hamilton Nolan

Democratic National Convention (DNC) 2024 – Day Three

Politics

Patriot Games

<p>Alex Shultz is a journalist based in Brooklyn.</p>


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Alex Shultz

The lobby of the Javits Center during Fanatics Fest

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Capital

Three Days At Fanatics Fest, Michael Rubin’s Hollow Monument To Sports And Culture

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 19: Delegates from Florida chant "Lock him up," as Hillary Clinton talks about former President Donald Trump's criminal convictions during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

2024 Democratic National Convention: Day 1

A Night With The Party Animals

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Sarah York

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks toward the sideline during the preseason game against the against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals on August 10, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.

NFL: AUG 10 Preseason Buccaneers at Bengals

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Cincinnati Bengals

<p>Matthew Coller covers the Minnesota Vikings for <a href="https://purpleinsider.com/">Purple Insider</a> and is author of the book <a href="https://www.triumphbooks.com/football-is-a-numbers-game-products-9781637272183.php"><em>Football is a Numbers Game</em></a>. He moonlights as a writer for the <a href="https://herhoopstats.com/">Her Hoop Stats</a> newsletter and dominates as a rec league spot-up shooter.</p>


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Matthew Coller

WASHINGTON, DC -  JUNE 6: Chennedy Carter #7 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Mystics on June 6, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2023 NBAE

Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics

WNBA

How Chennedy Carter Reclaimed Her Superstar Pedigree

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/johnwilmeswords">John Wilmes</a> is a writer and professor in Chicago. His work has appeared in The Ringer, <em>GQ</em>, <em>Chicago Reader</em>, and <em>The New Republic</em>, among other places. He is the author of the novella <i>Jad&#8217;s Dad Milo</i>.</p>


John Wilmes

Fans look on during the eighth inning between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field in 2022.

Minnesota Twins v Chicago White Sox

At Home With The Worst Team In Baseball

Screenshot 2024-08-14 at 9.46.52 AM

Josh Hartnett Was Always Guaranteed To Jack You Up

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Rohan Nadkarni

Head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks watches a workout during Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on May 03, 2024 in Renton, Washington.

Seattle Seahawks Rookie Minicamp

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Seattle Seahawks


<p>Patrick T. Dorsey is the writer of and a producer on the feature film FUTURE DATE, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Cinequest Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Best Comedy Feature. You can hear him Thursdays on Defector Trivia, whenever Diana Moskovitz shouts, “Baaaaaaabe!”</p>


Patrick T. Dorsey

Hailey van Lith #9 of Team United States attempts to fight past a screen by Gracia Alonso #44 of Team Spain while Sandra Ygueravide #13 of Team Spain drives past during a Women's 3x3 basketball semifinal game between the United States and Spain on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France.

3×3 Basketball – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 10

Olympics

Who Is 3×3 Olympic Basketball For?

ans of Team Brazil hold a flag with a picture of Marta prior to the Women's Quarterfinal match between France and Brazil during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Marta-banner-world-cup

Marta’s Last Chance

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton waits to speak at the annual convention of the Rainbow/Push Coalition June 24, 2003 in Chicago, Illinois. Clinton said Bush Administration policies make likely the need for affirmative action programs for years to come.

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