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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

<p>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 <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers sacks Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals during the game at Estadio Azteca on November 21, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Arizona Cardinals

David Roth

Sophia Smith lines up a shot in the US Women's National Team's game against the Netherlands in the Women's World Cup on Wednesday night.

Podcasts

How Much Vlatko Is Too Much Vlatko, With Abigail Segel

Lauren Theisen

Shohei Ohtani celebrates with his Angels teammates

The Angels Are Going To Try

Barry Petchesky

Costa Mesa, CA - July 26: Justin Herbert, quarterback with the Los Angeles Chargers, speaks to the media following the first practice of training camp at the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

NFL Contract Guarantees Headache

Dave McKenna

Sinead O'Connor singing at a recent UFC fight

Music

Sinead O’Connor Was A Rebel With A Cause

Luis Paez-Pumar

Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States celebrates scoring during the second half against the Netherlands during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group E match at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Soccer

Lindsey Horan And The Power Of Rage Saved The USWNT From Itself

Tom Ley

Mitch McConnell, seen possibly pooping his pants.

Defector Up All Night

Did Mitch McConnell Poop His Pants In A Room Full Of People?

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe at amid heavy rain during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Republic of Ireland and Canada at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia.

It’s Too Bad Canada Was Better Than Ireland

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Giri Nathan

Patrick Redford

Cover of All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy. Yellow background. Defector reads a book badge.

Defector Reads A Book

Grab A Tortilla And Come Talk About All Of Cormac McCarthy’s Pretty Horses

Jordan Akins #88 of the Houston Texans scores a two point conversion during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Houston Texans

Billy Haisley

Mary Wilombe of Zambia post game despair after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Zambia at Eden Park on July 26, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Zambia Learns How Unforgiving The World Cup Can Be


<p>Patrick T. Dorsey is the writer of and a producer on the feature film FUTURE DATE, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Cinequest Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Best Comedy Feature. You can hear him Thursdays on Defector Trivia, whenever Diana Moskovitz shouts, “Baaaaaaabe!”</p>


Patrick T. Dorsey

Rose Zhang of the United States plays a shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 14, 2023 in Sylvania, Ohio.

Golf

Rose Zhang, Golf’s Next Phenom, Is Doing Her Own Thing

God Only Knows What This Means For The Angels

Albert Burneko

Kylian Mbappé alone against a blue background

What The Hell Is Going On With Kylian Mbappé?

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins hugs Brad Marchand #63 before exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Patrice Bergeron Was Unhateable

The Celtics Are All The Way In

Sarina Bolden (R) of Philippines celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group A match between New Zealand and Philippines at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.

While You Were (Probably) Sleeping, Group A Got Real Hectic

An open sign in the window of a gift shop is seen in Times Square on August 16, 2020 in New York. Five months after New York City shut down to combat the coronavirus, the tourism industry remains flat. Business leaders and City officials are trying to devise plans to revive the tourism industry that has in years past brought in $45 billion annually and supported 300,000 jobs. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)

Funbag

Police Merch Is Its Own Horrible Little Fiefdom

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) trips as he runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions on January 1, 2023 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Chicago Bears

Ray Ratto

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 01:The sky lights up as the Kansas City Royals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) ***Local Caption***

The Royals Have No Good Argument For A New Stadium

Naoya Inoue (L) of Japan and Stephen Fulton (C) of the US fight

The Fights

Naoya Inoue Is Heavier And Scarier


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 8: Bronny James #6 of Team USA looks on during the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit on April 8, 2023 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon.

College Basketball

Bronny James Suffers Cardiac Arrest At Practice, Now Out Of ICU

Linda Lizeth Caicedo Alegria of Colombia celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Colombia and South Korea at Sydney Football Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Linda Caicedo Is The Future

FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JULY 20: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets run drills during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on July 20, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey.

This Is The Worst Time Of Football Season

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 23: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts in the dugout during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 23, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)