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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

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

<a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://demause.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://demause.net/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">Neil deMause</a> has covered sports economics for more publications than even he can shake a stick at. He’s co-author of the book <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Field-Schemes-Stadium-Swindle-Private/dp/1567511384?ascsubtag=c9dca64cfbbd6c35085d286f4423ee39b8350b2f&amp;rawdata=%5Br%7Chttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F%5Bks%7Cgoogle%5Bt%7Clink%5Bp%7C1800657108%5Ba%7C1567511384%5Bau%7C5722120546910826704%5Bb%7Cdeadspinascsubtag%3D4eba2da0f6cc83fe1f221e8d8ca5894cd93bf2a7ascsubtag%3D33f4f2a16c1eda72859c34ee8aa577410b04a0d8&amp;tag=deadspinamzn-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-ga="[[&quot;Commerce&quot;,&quot;deadspin - Baseball Doesn't Need Collusion To Turn Off The Hot Stove&quot;,&quot;1567511384&quot;]]" data-amazonasin="1567511384" data-amazontag="deadspinamzn-20" data-amazonsubtag="[r|https://www.google.com/[ks|google[t|link[p|1831644811[a|1567511384[au|5722120546910826704[b|deadspin[lt|text" data-commerceready="true">Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit</a>, and runs <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://fieldofschemes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://fieldofschemes.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">the website of the same name</a>.

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Neil deMause

A rendering of the future Willets Point soccer stadium.

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Capital

How NYC Gave Hundreds Of Millions To The Yankees And An Oil Baron Sheikh For The Willets Point Soccer Stadium—No Questions Asked

Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.

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Diana Moskovitz

Andy Polo of Universitario celebrates his goal during Liga 1 Profesional Peru match between Alianza Lima and Universitario at Estadio Nacional de Lima on February 10, 2024 in Lima, Peru.

Andy Polo

Soccer

Peruvian International Andy Polo Found Liable For Domestic Violence

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Tom Ley

Chicago Fire fans celebrate from the stands at SeatGeek Stadium on June 6, 2023 in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Houston Dynamo v Chicago Fire – Quarterfinals: 2023 U.S. Open Cup

Chicago Fire Tries Bribing Fans To Attend Game Messi Might Not Play In

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Billy Haisley

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi and NY Red Bulls' Colombian defender #04 Andres Reyes (R) vie for the ball during the Major League Soccer 2023 match between Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls at the Red Bull arena in Harrison, New Jersey, August 26, 2023.

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Everyone Wants To Watch Lionel Messi

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

CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: A fan holds a sign in the stands during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

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Messi Was The Attraction, But The Philadelphia Union Were The Story

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami hoist the trophy with his teammates after defeating the Nashville SC to win the Leagues Cup 2023 final match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Leagues Cup 2023 – Final: Inter Miami CF v Nashville SC

Lionel Messi Shared The Spotlight

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Leagues Cup 2023 – Semifinals: Inter Miami CF v Philadelphia Union

A Little Messi Goes A Long Way

Leo Messi control ball in the first half time at Toyota Stadium on August 6, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

Leagues Cup 2023 – Round of 16: Inter Miami CF v FC Dallas

Lionel Messi Has Earned His American Victory Lap

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Samer Kalaf

Karim Benzema at his signing with Al Ittihad

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Saudi Arabia’s Plan Is To Make A Better Version Of MLS

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Albert Burneko

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Lionel Messi Chooses Inter Miami

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Ray Ratto

Wales' striker Gareth Bale celebrates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 play-off final qualifier football match between Wales and Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 5, 2022.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale To LAFC Is Just Another Business Arrangement 

Portland Timbers fans hold up a tifo before their match against the Minnesota United at Providence Park on March 3, 2017 in Portland, Oregon.

Portland Timbers FC

The Stench Of The Portland Timbers Is A Familiar One

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Kelsey McKinney

Houston Dynamo v Sporting Kansas City

A Reminder To Be Nice To Your Bros

A Portland Timbers player hits a bicycle/overhead kick near the 18-yard box

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Is This A Blooper Or An Incredible Goal? Why Can’t It Be Both!

Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville reacts during their match against the D.C. United at DRV PNK Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

DC United v Inter Miami CF

The Much-Hyped Inter Miami Project Is Off To An Atrocious Start

A fan of the Columbus Crew SC holds up a scarf showing his support for keeping the team in Columbus prior to the start of the match between the Columbus Crew SC and the Toronto FC at MAPFRE Stadium on November 21, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.

Toronto FC v Columbus Crew SC – Eastern Conference Finals – Leg 1

The Columbus Crew Have A Stupid New Name Because MLS Can’t Help Itself

FC Cincinnati Announcement With MLS Commissioner Don Garber

MLS Is Showing Us How Ugly A Pandemic Labor Battle Can Get