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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

Patrick Redford

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans looks on prior to a game against the Richmond Spiders at Spartan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

College Football

Mel Tucker Isn’t Going Quietly

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

FUNBAG header art, it's a B&W image of a woman hitting a guy with a briefcase or book or something

Funbag

Beware Of Assholes Trying To Co-Opt Mental Health Awareness

Nick Zarzycki is a Toronto-based writer whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, Deadspin and Toronto Life.

Nick Zarzycki

Russia Daniil Medvedev in action, returns the ball vs Serbia Novak Djokovic during the Men's Singles Finals match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Tennis

I Finally Understand Why You Ding Dongs Won’t Come To The Net

Tom Ley

Jim Tomsula stands with his players after winning the 2023 ELF title

Things We Actually Like

Jim Tomsula Is A Goddamn Champion

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 24: Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets pushes Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots during the second half at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Mac Jones Maybe Hit Sauce Gardner In The Dick, Definitely Cares About Football A Lot

Lauren Theisen

Justin Verlander tips hit cap after being taken out of the game

Justin Verlander Pulled The Astros Out Of The Quicksand

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

Dan McQuade

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles greets fans in the stands after a 25-11 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 25, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.

Eagles Fans Terrified After Blowout Victory

Alex Sujong Laughlin

The author holding a chestnut she found on the street

Chefector

That’s What I Get For Trying To Honor My Ancestors With Chestnuts I Found On The Street

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos looks on during the second half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Expect Further Humiliation For The Broncos

Samer Kalaf

Taylor Swift gives the thumbs-up while watching the Chiefs.

Football Game Played Near Taylor Swift

Maitreyi Anantharaman

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to a play in the third quarter of Game One of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs semifinals against the Dallas Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Wings 97-83.

WNBA

A’ja Wilson Is Everywhere

Luis Paez-Pumar

Zach Wilson is sacked during the Patriots-Jets game.

Robert Saleh Can’t Even Convincingly Endorse Zach Wilson Anymore

The Vikings Forgot How To Be Clutch

Barry Petchesky

A photo of a black UFO looking thing in the desert

Science

This Is How You Get Zombies, NASA

Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Game Of The Year Is In Six Days

Jordan Love Beat Not-The-Bears, But I’m More Confused Than Ever

Kathryn Xu

Funny how we get attached to the struggle.

Video Games

It Is, In Fact, Possible To Get Too Good At A Video Game

Sergio Perez arrives at the track wearing shades.

Racing

The Highlight Of Suzuka Was Sergio Pérez’s 41-Minute Pit Stop

Chip Trayanum #19 and Cade Stover #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Heartwarming: Ohio State Wins Big Game

Kelsey McKinney

Zillowing Out

A $345,000 Home Where We Can Stub All Our Toes

James Robins is an award-winning critic and historian. His work has appeared in the New Republic, Vulture, and the TLS, and he writes the newsletter <a href="https://thedreadnought.substack.com/">The Dreadnought</a>. He lives in London.

James Robins

Walter Isaacson (right) and Elon Musk (left) speak onstage at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit back in 2014, long before Isaacson wrote a big biography of Musk.

Arts And Culture

Not Even The Patron Stooge Of Fawning Biographies Can Make Elon Musk Look Good

Julie Ertz #8 of the United States watches a tribute video after playing South Africa at TQL Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Soccer

Julie Ertz Was The USWNT

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Peter Gabriel performs at Madison Square Garden on September 18, 2023 in New York City.

Music

Shut Up And Play The New Stuff

Giri Nathan

Israel Daramola

Outkast, winner of 6 Grammys during The 46th Annual Grammy Awards - Press Room at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Defector Music Club

Defector Music Club Takes On The Expansive ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ As It Turns 20

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

An image of a very young Krusty the Clown, wearing a kippah, standing in front of a store that sells comedy props. The store is called Yiddles.