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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

Kelsey McKinney

I’m Glad Shohei Ohtani Didn’t Hit For The Cycle, Actually

David Roth

Luis Perez of the Arlington Renegades celebrates winning the 2023 XFL Championship on May 13, 2023.

Over And Under In The XFL Championship

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

Hepner Hall and Hardy Tower on the campus of San Diego State Univeristy near the Aztecs' home court inside the Viejas Arena on November 21, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)

The Matt Araiza Transcript Doesn’t Have All The Answers

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Joel Embiid covers his face with a towel.

Joel Embiid Is A Finite Resource

Patrick Redford

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs on the field as the benches clear in the seventh inning of a game at Coors Field on May 14, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Bryce Harper Has Had It With The Entire Concept Of The Colorado Rockies

Lauren Theisen

Jonathan Marchessault Is Vegas’s Heart And Sault

Israel Daramola

The ‘Succession’ Misery Index: America, You Flunked It

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

Aerial view of urban sprawl, Las Vegas, Nevada

Capital

What Comes After Meeting The Neighbors?

Ray Ratto

EDMONTON, CANADA - MAY 14 Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2023, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

That’s Oil, Folks

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics collides with Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

That’s Gotta Hurt

Dave McKenna

A story in the Wright State Daily Guardian about Robert Pollard's no-hitter for Wright State University on March 11, 1978.

Music

Celebrating Robert Pollard’s No-Hitter And The Rock-Jock Nexus

Washington Commanders soon-to-be ex-owner Dan Snyder on the field before his team lost the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.

Owner Of Newspaper That Dan Snyder Tried To Put Out Of Business Now Owns Snyder’s Football Team

Ja Morant reacts to a call during the Grizzlies first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 26, 2023.

Grizzlies Suspend Ja Morant After He Plays With A Handgun On Instagram Live Again

Elon Musk and his mom doing some uncanny shit in costume at Heidi Klum's Halloween party.

Burning Down The House

Albert Burneko

A glass of pink lemonade, outside with flowers in the background.

Chefector

Pink Lemonade For Everybody!

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 11: Devin Booker #1 stands with head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game six of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Suns Did It Again

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

Dan McQuade

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Sixers Had Another Nightmare Finish Against Boston

Luis Paez-Pumar

Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States dribbles the ball during a game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

Soccer

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Lindsey Horan

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference semi-finals on May 11, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jayson Tatum Hit The Shots When It Mattered

Alex Pareene

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: People picket outside of FOX Studios on the first day of the Hollywood writers strike on May 2, 2023 in Los Angeles. Scripted TV series, late-night talk shows, film and streaming productions are being interrupted by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. In 2007 and 2008, a WGA strike shut down Hollywood productions for 100 days, costing the local economy between $2 billion and $3 billion.

The Machines

The Computers Are Coming For The Wrong Jobs

Tom Ley

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks for a call while being guarded by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter during Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Ball Arena on May 09, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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.

Defector Up All Night

Can You Guess The Lone MVP Voter Who Left Nikola Jokic Off His Ballot?

The guitar as it appeared on Craigslist and the guitar as it's being repaired, split screen

Elder Wisdom

Happiness Is Fixing A Guitar

Giri Nathan

The Bucks’ Playoff Defeat Has Caused Giannis To Massively Think

COMMERCE CITY, CO - MARCH 3 : Max Alves of Colorado Rapids poses for a portrait at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Thursday, March 3, 2022.(Photo by Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

MLS Proves Itself As World-Class League With Match-Fixing Scandal

A Mariachi Band performs on Cinco De Mayo as writers on strike march with signs on the picket line on day four of the strike by the Writers Guild of America in front of Netflix in Hollywood, California.