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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

Samer Kalaf

Ms. Rachel attends the Sesame Workshop 2024 Benefit Gala

Politics

Ms. Rachel Is Hamas Now

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

during the first round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia.

Golf

Jim Nantz Is Being Weird About The Masters Again

Dave McKenna

ELMONT, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Wayne Gretzky and Gary Bettman after scoring his 895th career goal, passing Gretzky for the all-time scoring record, during the second period of a game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 6, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/NHLI via Getty Images)

I’m The Idiot Who Bet Against Ovechkin

Lindsey Adler is a writer based in Brooklyn. She exclusively covered sports for a decade but has other interests, too.

Lindsey Adler

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: Jesse Lacey of Brand New performs during the 2017 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience at City Park on October 28, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Arts And Culture

Brand New Tour, Same Old Question

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 03: Cody Bellinger #35 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)

If You’re Going To Get Food Poisoning, At Least Visit Flavortown First

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

You Would Cry Too If It Happened To You

Patrick Redford

Head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves leaves the court after a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on February 21, 2025 in Houston, 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. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The Timberwolves Collapsed In The Worst Way At The Worst Time

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A photo of Jules Reynolds, a fired USDA program coordinator, sitting near a valley of farmland

Interviews

An Interview With A Fired USDA Program Coordinator

Kathryn Xu

Side-by-side photos of Luis M. Castillo and Luis F. Castillo, both Mariners pitchers.

The Definitive Guide To Mariners Pitchers Named Luis Castillo

Jae Towle Vieira [they/them] works as a producer for Normal Gossip. Their fiction has been published in The Normal School, New England Review, Carve Magazine, Passages North, Fairy Tale Review, and elsewhere.

Jae Towle Vieira

Normal Gossip logo with cartoon characters gossiping

Podcasts

Season 8 Kicks Off With A Couch And A Fuckboy

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!

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.

Oh, Shut The Fuck Up

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

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

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.