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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

Normal Gossip: portraits

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Sisters Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen pose for photos at the CFDA Fashion Awards, at the Brooklyn Museum in 2019

Arts And Culture

When Quiet Luxury Gets Loud

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Under The Influence

Is It Possible To Create Anticapitalist Work On Social Media? 

rachelle-hampton-headshot

Rachelle Hampton

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Kelsey McKinney

four women sit at a booth in the roller rink

Screenshot 2024-09-17 at 9.30.49 AM

What Exactly Happened With The Fruity Pebbles?

An adaptation of the "Oh, the Places You'll Go" cover with a Robert Moses statue.

Untitled_Artwork

Life's Rich Pageant

Oh, The Power You’ll Broker!

A person stops to watch a TV screen at a bar in Washington D.C. showing the U.S. presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

US-VOTE-POLITICS-DEBATE-WATCH PARTY

Politics

Who Won The Debate? The Swirling Existential Void That Will Consume Us All

A Pop Star Academy contestant looks at her phone, in a screenshot of the show.

pop-star-academy-2

Talent Has Never Been Enough

Podcaster Alex Cooper poses before a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 26, 2024

Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox

Journalismism

For Wondery And SiriusXM, Spending Big Isn’t The Same As Thinking Big

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Food

Consider: Gatorwine

An old black and white photo of women looking around suspiciously

snark forums

In Snark Forums, Fans Are Haters And Haters Are Friends

A woman with long brown hair stands in an art gallery, wearing a white lace dress with a brown belt. Behind her are framed photographs on dark walls, featuring various interior scenes. She smiles, looking at the camera.

The Other Art Fair Los Angeles Presented by Saatchi Art in partnership with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE

Anna Marie Tendler Trusts You’ll Know Who She’s Talking About

A woman sticks her thumb down next to a skincare product and records the scene with an iPhone (posed scene). Product tips on Instagram or Tiktok are often paid advertising. "Deinfluencers" actively advise against buying if they are not convinced of the quality.

Deinfluencer

Local Girlbosses Lose Pyramid-Shaped Business Model

Republican vice presidential nominee U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) walks out with his wife Usha Vance to speak during a rally with running mate U.S. Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump.

Former President Trump And VP Nominee Sen. JD Vance Hold Rally In St. Cloud, Minnesota

JD Vance, Who Loves His Wife Usha By The Way, Wants To Make Sure You Know He’s Not Racist

Kareem Maddox of the USA throws during the mens pool play match between Austria and the USA on Day 4 of the FIBA 3x3 World cup at Rathausplatz on June 2, 2023 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Andrea Kareth /SEPA.Media /Getty Images)

FIBA 3×3 World Cup

Olympics

How Kareem Maddox Went From Public Radio To The Olympic Stage

A trio of TikTok screenshots: "5 ways your FACE indicates Cortisol is High"; "4 SSIGNS YOUR BELLY FAT IS CAUSED BY A HORMONE IMBALANCE From a hormone nutritionist"; 6 SIGNS you may have HORMONAL IMBALANCE"

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This Summer’s Hottest Ailment Is Hormone Anxiety

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Wings Week

BuzzFeed Is The Reason It Can’t Sell ‘Hot Ones’

a group of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders practice outside

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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: It’s Time To Unionize

Players give high-fives after the National Anthem before an NWSL match between the Portland Thorns and Kansas City Current on June 23, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

NWSL

Soccer

The NWSL Took Me Back

New Yorkers watch the 2024 Presidential Debate between Trump and Biden in New York City, United States on June 27, 2024.

2024 Presidential Debate Watch Party in New York

Without Fact-Checking, A Presidential Debate Is Just TV

Baseball Fans Rooting For Their Teams

The Podcast Industry Has Learned Nothing

The words "girl's girl" appear in the Charli XCX Brat font, on a Brat-green background.

Screen-Shot-2024-06-24-at-11.08.44-AM

Charli XCX, Lorde, And The Trap Of The “Girl’s Girl”

Women sit under hair dryers in a Paris beauty shop, smoking and reading magazines while their hair dries.

Paris Beauty Shop

Life Lessons

You Should Cut Your Own Hair


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Typing

Sabrina Imbler

A young woman in a swimsuit and sun hat poses with a drink at the edge of a pool

Young woman  enjoying a drink at the poolside

Announcements

The Normal Gossip Summer Guide To Eavesdropping

South African singer and songwriter Tyla arrives for the 2024 Met Gala in a Balmain gown meant to evoke sand in an hourglass. She is being helped by a procession of men in tuxedos who are holding the train of her gown in order for her to walk.

US-ENTERTAINMENT-FASHION-METGALA-CELEBRITY-MUSEUM

How Do You Compartmentalize The Spectacle?

Singer JoJo Siwa on the red carpet entering the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Hollywood, wearing a black and silver sequins outfit reminiscent of Gene Simmons from the band Kiss.

2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards – Arrivals

When You Eat Poison Long Enough, It Starts To Taste Good

A photo showing an ear bud resting on the screen of a smartphone showing the Spotify music app.

Music Apps Illustrations

Capital

If You Love Podcasts, Dump Spotify