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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

New Defector Merch For Your Baby

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Merch v3

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Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mark Emmert, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) hold a brief press availability on Capitol Hill December 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) met with NCAA President Mark Emmert to discuss the issue of compensation for collegiate athletes. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Senators Chris Murphy And Mitt Romney Speak To The Media On Student Athlete Compensation

Death To The NCAA

What Did These Morons Think Was Going To Happen?

<a href="https://twitter.com/jaseidler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jarrett Seidler</a> is the senior prospect writer and evaluation coordinator at Baseball Prospectus. He is a proud Jersey Shore local.

Jarrett Seidler

Wander Franco receives congratulations in the dugout after scoring against the Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays

The International Draft Solves A Problem Of MLB’s Own Making

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Laura Wagner

Union organizer Christian Smalls (R) celebrates following the April 1, 2022, vote for the unionization of the Amazon Staten Island warehouse in New York. - Amazon workers in New York voted Friday to establish the first US union at the e-commerce giant, a milestone for a company that has steadfastly opposed organized labor in its massive workforce. Employees at the Staten Island JFK8 warehouse voted 2,654 to 2,131 in support of the unionizing drive, according to a tally of ballots from the National Labor Relations Board. (Photo by Andrea RENAULT / AFP)

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Capital

Heartwarming: Amazon Eats Shit

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David Roth

Dwight Howard grimacing Dwight Howardishly next to the Distraction logo.

Philadelphia 76ers v Los Angeles Lakers

Podcasts

The Art Of Aging Gracelessly, With Ray Ratto

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Dodgers fans cheer during Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Championship Series – Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Three

What Would An Effective Sports Fan Union Actually Look Like?

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Lauren Theisen

Detroit Tigers v Los Angeles Angels

I’m Stuck With Baseball

Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marcnormandin.com/">marcnormandin.com</a>, which you can read for free but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">support through his Patreon</a>. His baseball writing has appeared at SB Nation, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, and TalkPoverty.

Marc Normandin

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred leaving the MLB owners meetings with that look on his face.

MLB Owners Meetings

MLB’s Owners Want To Make Their Favorite Loopholes Into Law

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MARCH 26: The closed box office is shown at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 26, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees Opening Day game scheduled for today, along with the entire MLB season, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MLB Opening Day Postponed Due To Coronavirus

An MLB Network Freelancer Talks Life In Lockout Limbo

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Albert Burneko

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The Wirecutter Union Won

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred talks to Astros GM James Click during the 2021 World Series.

World Series – Atlanta Braves v Houston Astros – Game One

MLB Owners Have Forgotten That They Always Lose Lockouts

New York Times Seeks Buyouts Before Imposing Layoffs

Media Meltdowns

Wirecutter Union Files Labor Grievance After “Vindictive” New York Times Withheld Holiday Pay

Mets owner Steve Cohen and Mets mascot Mr. Met, seen at the opening of a mass vaccination site at CitiField in February of 2021.

Mass Vaccination Site Opens At Citi Field In New York City

Lockout Mindset And Dog Talk, With Lindsey Adler

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Barry Petchesky

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 12: Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. speaks during a press conference announcing a partnership with the Players Alliance during the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Coors Field on July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

2021 Gatorade All-Star Workout Day

Let’s Be Very Clear About What’s Going On Here

Corey Seager, seen here sitting on his butt tossing a baseball up in the air back when he was with the Dodgers, and before he joined the Rangers.

Championship Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v Atlanta Braves – Game Two

Here’s To The Texas Rangers And What They’re Trying To Do

Amos Barshad

NYC 2

These Musicians Are Angry, Organized, And Coming For Spotify

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Tom Ley

US-ARCHITECTURE-MEDIA-NEW YORK TIMES

Today Is A Good Day To Not Read Wirecutter

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

An ad for the Carlos Watson show. A quote calls him "Anderson Cooper Meets Oprah" on it.

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Ozy Media Is A Monumental Bummer

Future Of Film Panel: Stories By Numbers – 2014 Tribeca Film Festival

WGA East Council Slate Edits Platform After Everyone Gets Mad At Them

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See If You Can Stomach The UFC Turning Its Exploitation Of Labor Into A Heartwarming Moment

It's Jamie Dimon, America's finance boss.

The Bosses Are At It Again

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Samer Kalaf

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Please Distract The Football Reporters So They Stop Defending Unpaid Internships

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Ray Ratto

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after made a bad pass against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center on February 02, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics v Golden State Warriors

When Draymond Green Speaks, Listen

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi addresses the audience during the keynote at the start an Uber products launch in San Francisco, California on September 26, 2019. - Uber on Thursday unveiled a new version of its smartphone app that weaves together services from shared rides to public transit schedules while adding more security features. The upgraded app is intended to let Uber users see, and ideally tap into, the company's array of options for getting around or having restaurant meals delivered. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

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Politics

California’s Prop 22 Was Just The Beginning

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MAY 09: UFC President Dana White speaks to the media after UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

UFC 249 Ferguson v Gaethje

The Fights

The $5 Billion Lawsuit Against The UFC By Its Former Fighters Can’t Be Ignored

Bill Simmons sits in an armchair looking like an asshole

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Bill Simmons Is Union-Busting

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