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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

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

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. He's wearing a green jacket and a headset.

College Football

Mel Tucker Officially Fired From Michigan State

Patrick Redford

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 17: Joe Lacob of the Golden State Warriors speaks to the crowd during the Golden State Warriors Chase Arena groundbreaking ceremony on January 17, 2017 in Oakland, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

WNBA

Report: Warriors Mercifully End Oakland’s Pro Sports Drought By Putting WNBA Team In San Francisco

David Roth

Neal and Suit talking in what could honestly be any episode of the USA series "White Collar"

Arts And Culture

Background Television Isn’t As Easy As It Looks

A. Andrews is a thirty-something disabled queer/trans writer and illustrator. They spent the majority of their young life sketching in hospitals and experienced their first heartbreak at age 8 during Game 6 of the &#8217;96 NBA championships. When they aren’t writing and drawing their guts out, they’re hanging with their dog, George, and drinking too many coffees. They will probably never tell you “what’s wrong with [them]” and you shouldn’t ask! They were named one of The Advocate&#8216;s 2021 People of the Year, are a 2020 Tin House Summer Workshop scholar, and their debut graphic novel, A Quick and Easy Guide to Sex &amp; Disability topped 2020 lists for the NYPL best books for teens, and YALSA&#8217;s best books for teens, and is available anywhere books are sold. You can find more of their work at Washington Post, Esquire, the Nib, and other fun corners of the internet.

A. Andrews

Drawing of a group of people helping each other over a labyrinth

Histories Of Transition

How I Transitioned With Complex Disability

Katharine Trendacosta writes about tech policy, the entertainment industry, pop culture, and where those things intersect. In her day job, she&#8217;s the Associate Director of Policy and Activism for the digital civil liberties nonprofit the Electronic Frontier Foundation. (Her writing here reflects her views alone and not those of EFF.) In her spare time, she writes things like this.

A photo of the author, Katharine Trendacosta

Katharine Trendacosta

Members of WGA cheer at the end of their picket in front of CBS Television City on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 in Hollywood, CA. Saturday marked the fourth straight day of talks, which kicked off Wednesday with the heads of four major studios participating directly. The union and studio alliance had not announced a deal as of early Saturday evening.

Capital

The Hollywood Writers Strike Proved That Collective Action Works

Ray Ratto

A photo of a brown stationwagon next to the water. It is covered in stickers.

Racing

The Legend Of The Brown Smear In Newfoundland

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

Dan McQuade

Alex Rodriguez looks at his teeth, with this hand pulling one of his lips back, and you see him in the mirror and also see the back of his head.

This Is So Stupid

Breaking: A-Rod Still Has Gum Disease

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty drives as Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun defends at Barclays Center on May 27, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Everyone Made Their MVP Case Last Night

Luis Paez-Pumar

Victor Osimhen of Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 24, 2023 in Bologna, Italy.

Soccer

Napoli Shitposted Its Way Into A War With Its Own Best Player

Giri Nathan

The Raptors Are In On The Half-Assed Hunt For Damian Lillard

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)

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

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

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.

A’ja Wilson Is Everywhere

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.