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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

Barry Petchesky

NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 05: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the New Jersey Devils during the National Anthem prior to the game against the St. Louis Blues on Novenber 5 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)

Connor Hellebuyck Won’t Start In Winnipeg Because Of “Expected Win Probability”

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

A voter drops off a ballot in Maricopa County

Politics

You Could Be County Clerk, Or Sheriff!

Anthony Santander takes the field for the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays Have An Asshole, And His Name Is Anthony Santander

Ray Ratto

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 2, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Caleb Williams Is Carrying All Of Chicago Sports On His Back

Culture Writer

Israel Daramola

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Players of the Florida State Seminoles gather in the tunnel before taking the field prior to the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 20, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #7 ranked Seminoles 66 to 10. TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Players of the Florida State Seminoles gather in the tunnel before taking the field prior to the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 20, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. The #7 ranked Seminoles 66 to 10.

College Football

Florida State Stares Into The Abyss

Albert Burneko

A Cybertruck parallel parked on a city street.

The Machines

Farewell To The Cybertruck, A Total Failure

Tom Ley

Gambling

Now We Know How Much Money Bill Simmons Had His Daughter’s Boyfriend Bet For Him

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Joe Fagnano #12 of the Baltimore Ravens scrambles against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of the game at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on November 05, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

That’ll About Do It For The Joe Fagnano Experience

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

A "Protect Trans Kids" sign is seen in a close up view in New York City. On a white background, the word "Protect" is printed in black and each of the sign's other letters is printed in a solid color that when viewed together appear rainbow-like. The person holding the sign is participating in a National Day of Protest, and is dressed warmly on a cold Presidents Day 2025.

More States Banned Trans Kids From Sports This Week

Journalismism

Free Press Dumbass Has An AI Whoopsie

Giri Nathan

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks the shot of Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at Frost Bank Center on November 4, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.

Broadcast This Wemby Performance Into Space

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

Getting In The Weeds

Jay Feely’s Congressional Dreams Have Doinked Off The Uprights

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil, wearing a LIV hat, in Indianapolis

Golf

LIV Is Dead

Lauren Theisen

Erik Gustafsson #64 of the Los Angeles Kings checks Collin Graf #51 of the San Jose Sharks

The Sharks Smell Blood—Ope, Wait, It’s Their Own

Arts And Culture

Tinashe Wants You To Get Off The Computer And Dance

There Is No Place In A Functional Society For Elon Musk

John Semley is a writer and researcher based in Philadelphia.

John Semley

An illustration of Pulsar on the dance floor

Life's Rich Pageant

A History Of Pulsar, The (Maybe) ‘Rocky IV’ Robot That Lit Up Philly Night Life

Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy gives a thumbs up during a campaign stop on the Ohio Republican Bus Tour at Lorain County Republican Headquarters on October 31, 2026 in Lorain, Ohio. Ramaswamy and U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) were joined by candidates running up and down the Republican ticket ahead of next week's midterm elections on November 3. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Courting Slur-Users Isn’t A Winning Strategy When They Have Slurs For You

Podcasts

And Now, A Game Of “Who’s The Saddest Team In Football?”

Kelsey McKinney

Senate candidate, state Rep. James Talarico and Texas gubernatorial candidate, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa toast with a fountain beverage at a Whataburger

Not In My Wildest Dreams Did I See A Texas This Blue

Kathryn Xu

Owner Mark Attanasio of the Milwaukee Brewers is presented Commissioner's Trophy by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred during the Awards Ceremon after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 World Series on October 28, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Major League Baseball’s New Salary Cap Proposal Is As Shady As Its Old One

Team Canada with Andrew Mangiapane (2nd-R)) #88 , Owen Power (2nd-L) #25 , Justin Danforth (3rd-L) #17 Michael Bunting (L) #27 Adin Hill (R) #33 of Canada celebrate the victory during the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Quarter Final game between Russia and Canada.

The World Is Prepared To Boycott Russian Hockey

Dave McKenna

A father sits on a park bench trying to feed his twin infant daughters by himself.