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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

Luis Paez-Pumar

Moussa Diaby of Bayer 04 Leverkusen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart at BayArena on November 12, 2022 in Leverkusen, Germany.

Soccer

Window Shopping: Is Moussa Diaby Worth An Expensive Gamble?

Giri Nathan

Ben Simmons Has Stumped Another Coach

David Roth

A screenshot of David Roth and Lauren Thiesen as they sit at a table to open up a pack of cards and remember some guys. Lauren is wearing a bright red graphic T-shirt. Roth, of course, is in flannel.

Let's Remember Some Guys

Remembering When The Toronto Blue Jays Logo Got Swole

Justin Ellis

In this photo illustration, pages are viewed from the government’s released version of the F.B.I. search warrant affidavit for former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on August 27, 2022 in California. The 32-page affidavit was heavily redacted for the protection of witnesses and law enforcement and to ensure the ‘integrity of the ongoing investigation’.

This Is So Stupid

Enough With The Fucking Secret Memos Already

Israel Daramola

ATLANTA, USA - JANUARY 21: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after an Atlanta police vehicle was set on fire during a "Stop cop city" protest in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on January 21, 2023. Multiple buildings were vandalized and an Atlanta police vehicle was set on fire as multiple arrests were made. (Photo by Benjamin Hendren/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Policing

Cop City Is A Step Toward Cop Nation

Samer Kalaf

Head coach Bill OBrien of the Houston Texans speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bill O’Brien Is An Instant Upgrade Because He’s Not Matt Patricia Or Joe Judge

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

Dan McQuade

A look at a Virgil Abloh exhibit with the gift shop in the background

Arts And Culture

When Exiting Through The Gift Shop Is The Best Part Of The Exhibit

Patrick Redford

A slapper celebrates after knocking out his opponent.

The Fights

Dana White’s ‘Power Slap’ Is An Abomination

Tom Ley

Defector Up All Night

The Colts Are So Weird

Tennis

Elena Rybakina Has Overcome Her Glitchy Ranking

Lauren Theisen

Lou Lamoriello attends Islanders practice

Islanders GM: It’s My Fault We Suck

Maitreyi Anantharaman

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: Head coach Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on January 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

The Vancouver Canucks Have Already Left Their New Coach Speechless

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

Jamboroo

If You Don’t Have Multiple Real Dudes You Don’t Have Shit!

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts leaves the field after his team demolished the New York Giants in the NFL Divisional Round.

Podcasts

The Eagles Butt-Push Maneuver And Mike McCarthy’s Anti-Comedy, With Kalyn Kahler

Ray Ratto

The Hall Of Fame Charts No Course

Barry Petchesky

xx during an NFL divisional round playoff football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Michael Owens via AP)

The Hip Drop Tackle Could Be The NFL’s Next Illegal Tackle

Nathaniel Hackett stands on the sideline in sunglasses during a Broncos-Ravens game.

The Jets Willingly Take On A Nathaniel Hackett Problem

James Dolan, in a velvet blazer and a dumb hat, singing his heart out.

Seventeen Minutes Of James Dolan Is Too Much James Dolan

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies competes for the loose ball against Stephen Curry #30, Donte DiVincenzo #0 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at Chase Center on January 25, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Grizzlies Show Their Age

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A woman encourages her child to look at the mummy of young boy during a preview of the 'Ancient lives, new discoveries' exhibition at the British Museum in Central London on May 20, 2014.

How To Respect A Mummy

Ben Shelton of the United States plays a backhand in the Quarterfinal singles match against Tommy Paul of the United States during day ten of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park

Ben Shelton Wasted No Time In His First Matches Outside The U.S.

Laura Wagner

Media Meltdowns

NBC Politics Reporter Gloats About Evicting Tenant: “I Hope He Enjoys The Sex In Prison”

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Golf

Do Not Cross Patrick Reed Unless You Want A Golf Tee Gently Tossed In Your General Direction

A paleoart illustration of the pterosaur Balaenognathus maeuseri, showing a creature with a long bill that tapers to a flat end, lots of tiny verticle teeth, and a red beady eye staring out from an orange and blue face.