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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

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


Chris Thompson

Tom Dundon’s Shameless Minions Expand The Scope Of His War On Portland

Barry Petchesky

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 14: CEO, owner and governor Tom Dundon of the Carolina Hurricanes hoists the Stanley Cup after the team's 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Six of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Hurricanes won the series four games to two. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

I’m Not Sure There Are Enough Dundons On The Stanley Cup

Lauren Theisen

white text on blue background: "THE LEAGUE IS LISTENING"

MLB Is Now Promoting A Salary Cap Between Innings

Tom Dundon at a Blazers press conference.

Tom Dundon Cares Not One Bit About The Portland Trail Blazers

Ray Ratto

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred answers questions during an MLB owner's meeting at the Waldorf Astoria on February 10, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Manfred addressed the ongoing lockout of players, which owners put in place after the league's collective bargaining agreement ended on December 1, 2021.

MLB Owners Want A Salary Cap Because They Want To Cash Out

Dave McKenna

Sphere Entertainment Co. Executive Chairman and CEO James Dolan operates a booth for the Wizard's chamber during a preview of the Atrium experience for "The Wizard of Oz at Sphere" ahead of the show's premiere on August 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

To Boo Or Not To Boo? That’s The Question, Knicks Fans

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 24: Tom Dundon, Portland Trail Blazers owner, looks on before Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center on April 24, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images)

New Blazers Owner Tom Dundon Not Exactly Inspiring Confidence

Owner Michael Bidwill of the Arizona Cardinals speaks during a press conference introducing new head coach Mike LaFleur on February 3, 2026. He's kind of making an "ehhh" face.

The NFLPA Player Survey That Owners Hate Was Never Going To Stay Secret

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with her team after defeating the New York Liberty during Game Four of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 18, 2023 in New York City. The Aces defeated the Liberty 70-69. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Why WNBA Owners Cheated To Help Their Players

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson speaks at the press conference introducing head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey on January 27, 2025.

Woody Johnson Is Sick Of Everyone Knowing What A Lousy Workplace He Oversees

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is seen on the field prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 5, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Raised Middle Finger Is Implied

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 19: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the media prior to the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

WNBA

The WNBA And Connecticut Sun Continue To Fight Over What A Sale Would Look Like

The Minnesota Twins Are Finished

Basketball: NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss victorious holding Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy with Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (L) and Bob McAdoo after winning game and series vs Boston Celtics at Boston Garden. Game 6.

With The Lakers Sale, The NBA’s Old Ownership Class Is Nearly Extinct

David Roth

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brendan Donovan (33) as seen during a Major League Baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals on May 18, 2025. Just a real Cardinals-looking guy.

A Residence At One Cardinal Way, With Will Leitch

<p><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">Marc Normandin currently writes on baseball’s labor issues and more at </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="http://marcnormandin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://marcnormandin.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758998321491000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZpjG5RUFwdpapWqR1u4bd">marcnormandin.com</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">, which you can read for free but support </span><a style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif" href="https://www.patreon.com/marcnormandin">through his Patreon</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">. His baseball writing has appeared at FOX Sports, SB Nation, Defector, Global Sport Matters, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports on Earth, The Guardian, The Nation, FAIR, and TalkPoverty, and you can read his takes on video games at Retro XP and Endless Mode.</span></p>
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Marc Normandin

Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting speaks during the 2024 Pirates Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on August 24, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is kind of shrugging and looks like he is wearing a disguise somehow.

Are The Pittsburgh Pirates Really In Dire Straits?

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hands majority owner Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

Group Led By Private Equity Ghoul Buys Boston Celtics For $6.1 Billion

ampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg greets Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. before the Opening Day game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field on Sunday, April 3, 2016

Rob Manfred Is The Face Of An Elite Mutiny Against Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 31: Majority owner Glen Taylor of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Target Center on March 31, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

The Ridiculous Timberwolves Ownership Saga’s End Is In Sight

Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis (L) and Tom Brady attend Game One of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals between the Aces and the New York Liberty. Brady looks kind of gaunt and pointy; Davis looks like Mark Davis.

As Owner Or Broadcaster, All Tom Brady Has To Do Is Show Up

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on, and kind of like a very rich/mean version of Yoda, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens in September of 2024.

Jerry Jones Doesn’t Appreciate Your Tone

Samer Kalaf

The Panthers Have No Hope Under David Tepper

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: David Tepper looks on in the second quarter during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center on March 21, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

David Tepper Throws Tantrum Over Restaurant Sign’s Gentle Draft Suggestion

Coyotes Owner Releases Statement About How He Will Soon Release Statement

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 31: Tim Connelly, new Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations speaks while being introduced to the media by team ownership group Glen Taylor, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez on May 31, 2022 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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