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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

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winter 2023 gift (eyebrow)

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Pitcher NiJaree Canady #24 of the Stanford Cardinals winds up for a pitch to the Texas Longhorns in the first inning during the 2024 NCAA Women's College World Series at OGE Energy Field at Devon Park on June 3, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Texas won 1-0 to advance to the finals.

2024 NCAA Division I Softball Championship

Crosswords

The Crossword, June 24: Nine Lives (Themeless)

Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky grabs the rebound during he first half of a WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun

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WNBA

Angel Reese Has Genius In Her Fingertips

Keith Hernandez, Mookie Wilson, and Sesame Street's the Count.

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Life's Rich Pageant

Local Athletes, Leave Me Alone

Rihanna performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on February 12, 2023.

Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

The Crossword, June 17: You’re Out

The United States Women's National team celebrate their victory during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

1996 Olympics: USA Basketball Women’s National Team

Basketball Isn’t A Popularity Contest, Except When It Is

Iga Swiatek of Poland in action against Jasmine Paolini of Italy (not seen) during the Women's Singles Final match on day fourteen of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros Complex in Paris, France on June 8, 2024.

French Open Roland Garros tennis tournament – Finals

The Crossword, June 10: What’s The Deal?

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 5, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Minnesota Lynx v Los Angeles Sparks

Napheesa Collier Grows In Every Direction

Elizabeth Cambage of Sichuan reacts during Game 5 of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association WCBA league Finals between Sichuan and Inner Mongolia in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, April 22, 2024.

CHINA-HOHHOT-BASKETBALL-WCBA-FINALS (CN)

Only One Person Can Save Us From Terrible WNBA Takes

Ha-Seong Kim #7 of the San Diego Padres bunts during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Petco Park on May 26, 2024 in San Diego, California

The Crossword, June 3: Tight Ends

Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills passes against Alex Highsmith

AFC Wild Card Playoffs – Pittsburgh Steelers v Buffalo Bills

The Crossword, May 27: The Young And The Restless (Themeless)

MAY 21: Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on May 21, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Phoenix Mercury v Las Vegas Aces

The Small Mercury Are Big Fun

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the game against the New York Liberty on May 16, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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On The Caitlin Clark Beat, Everyone’s Plotting

Alysha Clark (L) #7 and Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces react after receiving their 2023 WNBA championship rings before the team's home opener against the Phoenix Mercury on May 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Mercury 89-80.

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The Aces Are Also A Superteam At Being Investigated

Magnus Carlsen (NOR),Sanan Sjugirov (RUS) during the FIDE Chess World Rapid Blitz 2021 in Warsaw, Poland, on December 29, 2021.

FIDE Chess World Rapid & Blitz 2021

The Crossword, May 20: Refresher Course

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Kelsey McKinney

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Giri Nathan

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David Roth

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Patrick Redford

A photographer of author James Baldwin smoking a cigarette.

James Baldwin Sitting Smoking A Cigarette

Defector Reads A Book

Come And Sit By ‘The Fire Next Time’ With Defector Reads A Book

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) fast breaks during a WNBA game between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun on May 14, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

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The Connecticut Sun Are The Coldest Welcome To The League

Caitlin Clark #22, Erica Wheeler #17, and Assistant Coach Jessie Miller of the Indiana Fever look on before the game against the Dallas Wings

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A 2024 WNBA Season Preview For Casuals And Gatekeepers Alike

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Wings during the WNBA Preseason Game on May 3, 2024 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

Indiana Fever v Dallas Wings

The Crossword, May 13: Tossed Salad And Scrambled Eggs

Arturs Silovs #31 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate after defeating the Nashville Predators in Game Six to win the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 03, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Vancouver Canucks v Nashville Predators – Game Six

The Legend Of “Silvos” Is Only Beginning

German-Kurdish opera singer-soprano Pervin Chakar performs during a concert.

The famous German-Kurdish opera singer-soprano Pervin Chakar

The Crossword, May 6: Cinderella Tails

Jackson Holliday #7 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during batting practice prior to a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 12, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Milwaukee Brewers v Baltimore Orioles

Here’s How The White Sox Can Still Lose 100 Games, But In An Interesting Way

Candace Parker #3 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts after receiving her fourth foul against the Minnesota Lynx during the second quarter of Game One of the WNBA finals at Williams Arena on September 24, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WNBA Finals – Game One

Candace Parker Remade The Game In Her Image

Runner participates during the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon on November 05, 2023 in New York City.

2023 TCS New York City Marathon

The Crossword, April 29: The 1,203 Club (Themeless)

Ottawa Forward Daryl Watts (9) celebrates her goal with Forward Brianne Jenner (19) during second period Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

HOCKEY: MAR 23 PWHL Toronto at Ottawa

PWHL

Ottawa Is Finding Itself

Fans tailgate prior to the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.