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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

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Topps baseball cards featuring the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, are seen during the Washington Nationals media preview day at Nationals Park on Friday, March 21, 2025.

That’s Too Many Baseball Cards!

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Touting the event as “Liberation Day”, Trump is expected to announce additional tariffs targeting goods imported to the U.S.

Politics

Oh, Shut The Fuck Up

Barry Petchesky

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 08: Victor Mancini #90 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated by his bench after scoring a goal during the third period against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on April 08, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Canucks Forget They’re The Canucks For One Historic Minute

Luis Paez-Pumar

Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 3-0 during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Arsenal Stadium on April 8, 2025 in London, England.

Soccer

Arsenal Stepped On Real Madrid’s Neck

Tom Ley

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth speak during the teams training camp at the UCSD campus in La Jolla, California on Thursday, September 28, 2022.

Michael Malone And Calvin Booth Lose Their War Over The Soul Of The Nuggets

Ray Ratto

James Harden shoots against Kai Jones of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of a game in April 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

The Western Conference Is Heading Into A Week Of Glorious Chaos

Lyons staff store, Cadby Hall, West Kensington, London. The self service grocery department. Women peruse the neatly stacked shelves of tinned food and bottled drinks.

Funbag

Grocery Shopping Is Meditation

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Stumbling Minnesota Twins Struggle With Clocks, Gizmos, Rules, And Authority

Dan Brooks writes essays and fiction from Missoula, Montana.

Dan Brooks

U.S. Vice President JD Vance (L) shoots with U.S. Marines at a gun range during a visit to Marine Corps Base Quantico

American Freedom

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

The front of a U.S. Department of Education building.

Title IX Is Now A Weapon In The Trump Administration’s Culture War

Billy Haisley

Still image of MC Ktrine and DJ Saze from the music video for "Bonde da Ó."

Music

MC Ktrine’s Rapping Is A Gift To Brazilian Funk

Will Richard of the Florida Gators celebrates after second half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Houston Cougars at the Alamodome on April 7, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.

College Basketball

Florida Didn’t Lose The National Championship

Alex Sujong Laughlin

It Is Time To Close Down The White Lotus

Patrick Redford

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 06: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Target Center on February 06, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 127-114. 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)

Amen Thompson Breaks The Game

Swerve Strickland delivers a stomp off a ladder to Jon Moxley at AEW Dynasty.

Pro Wrestling

Wrestling Shows Don’t All Have To Aim For “Epic”

Dave McKenna

My Friend Has Been Naming Shitty TV Characters After Me For 20 Years

Victor Robles Demonstrates What Trying Can Get You

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) slides after scrambling up field during a NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts on December 22, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

Crosswords

The Crossword, April 7: Block By Block

Alex Ovechkin Scores

Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies celebrates during the trophy ceremony after beating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 to win the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

Azzi Fudd And The Huskies Finally Got Their Crowning Moment

Kathryn Xu

Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan.

Racing

No Matter The Car, Max Verstappen Is Inevitable

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

two caterpillars having a face-off on a leaf tip until one launches itself off the leaf

Creaturefector

This Leaf Tip Ain’t Big Enough For The Two Of Us

Justin Ellis

J'Wan Roberts of the Houston Cougars defends the shot attempt of Cooper Flagg of the Duke Blue Devils in the final minutes of the 2025 Mens College Basketball semi final

Houston Showed Why You Play To The Final Buzzer

People attend the 'Trans Day of Visibility Rally' hosted by the Christopher Street Project on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Someone holds up a sign saying "I WANT MORE TRANSSEXUAL FRIENDS LOVERS TEACHERS STUDENTS NEIGHBORS AUTHORS ARTISTS LEADERS LAWYERS PREACHERS & COMRADES.

Science

What It Means To Fund Studies In Transition “Regret”

Sarah Strong #21 and Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies react on the bench against the UCLA Bruins during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Amalie Arena on April 4, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.