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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

Tom Ley

Media Meltdowns

ESPN Just Keeps Getting Smaller And Louder

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Tennis

Tennis.com Lived And Died With The Internet

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

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

Alexander Zverev with the winners' trophy after his victory against Flavio Cobolli

It’s Hard To Find The Feel-Good Angle Of Alexander Zverev

Harry Krinsky is a producer and media consultant living in Brooklyn. He is the cohost of <a href="https://defector.com/tag/nothing-but-respect">Nothing But Respect</a>.

Harry Krinsky

Rich Paul stands in front of a white board

Rich Paul’s Podcast Was Built To Be Useless

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Vikings play-by-play guy Paul Allen talks into a microphone.

Oops! Vikings Play-By-Play Moron Chooses Yesterday’s Right-Wing Lie For Wisecrack About Minneapolis Protesters

Year In Review

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

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

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.

Gambling

The NBA Media Is Not Built To Cover A Gambling Scandal

Shams Charania Tries Out Legal Commentary, With Perplexing Results

General Manager Nico Harrison of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. 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.

Nico Harrison Picks Ideal Moment To Piss Off Everyone Again

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on in the dugout in the third inning during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at BayCare Ballpark on March 2, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida.

Life's Rich Pageant

Bob, That’s The Wrong Bryce!

Local Man Has Far More Opinions On Fast Casual Dining Chains Than You’d Think Possible

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) and Canucks center J.T. Miller (9) talk during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks, held on January 29, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Beef-Ending Trade Of J.T. Miller Leaves Vancouver Sports Media With Nothing To Talk About

A black-and-white image of some nerds doing computing and codebreaking at an IBM 7090 Data Processing System in the early 1960s.

One Weird And Unusual Trick To Deciphering And Decoding A Josina Anderson Report Or News Item

Presenting The 2024 Shams Charania Award For Excellence In Divulging Of Information Through Syntax Comprehended By Many

ESPN FC studio reacts to a fart-like noise

ESPN Soccer Show Once Again Derailed By Fart-Like Noise

Jon Gruden’s Quest To Coach Again Takes A Detour At The Dipshit Factory

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a timeout against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joel Embiid Shoves Author Of Weird Column About Him Shaming The Memory Of His Dead Brother

Shams Charania speaks with Mike Miller (L) and Donnie McGrath during the Paolo Banchero All Star Weekend kickoff party

Shams Charania’s Syntactical Talents Are Headed Toward A Bristol-Based Location

Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN discussing trade proposals for Jerami Grant

What Is The Cost Of A Woj Bomb?

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski looks on at a Lakers game

Adrian Wojnarowski Leaves The Scoopster Life For A Job With His Alma Mater

Ray Ratto

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick adjusts the microphones at his post-game press conference after the Patriots beat the Jets in January of 2024. He looks like he has a tummyache.