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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

Alex Sujong Laughlin

OZY Media founder Carlos Watson sitting onstage during a conversation at Carnegie Hall for an event by History Channel February 29, 2020 in New York City.

Journalismism

Who Is Giving Carlos Watson Money Now?

Luis Paez-Pumar

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: Denver Broncos punter Riley Dixon (9) celebrates with place kicker Wil Lutz (16) who kicked the winning field goal against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium November 13, 2023. Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) moments after the kick, The Broncos won 24-22. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

No One Self-Destructs Like The Bills

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers and James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers look on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 12, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

James Harden Is In The Mud

Lauren Theisen

Joshua Dobbs leaps into the end zone at the end of a run

Joshua “Playmaker” Dobbs Is Helping The Vikings Save Their Season

Samer Kalaf

A person holds a microphone with the Racquet Magazine logo

Racquet Magazine’s Future Up In The Air After One Cofounder Removes The Other

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


Dan McQuade

Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hurdles Rudy Ford #20 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Steelers Stink! They Might Be A Playoff Team!

Ollie Watkins (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Fulham at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 12, 2023.

Soccer

Aston Villa Might Be A Mirage, But It’s A Fun One

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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

FC Gotham players hug after scoring a goal in the 2023 NWSL Championship game

NWSL

Gotham’s Batshit Championship Win Caps NWSL’s Season Of Renewal

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Members of the media photograph Anna Delvey on her way to her parole meeting on July 13, 2023 in New York City.

Announcements

The Crossword, Nov. 13: Loud Noises

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 12: Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers celebrates with the bench after scoring a game-tying goal during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2023 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Rangers Finally Put Batteries In Alexis Lafrenière


<p>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</p>


Diana Moskovitz

A screenshot of a text message exchange between Art Briles and Ian McCaw, as shown on a PowerPoint presentation. It says: "September 20, 2013 text messages between Art Briles and Ian McCawn." Briles: "Just talked to [Sa78]—he said Waco PD was there—said they were going to keep it quiet—Wasn't a set up deal—I'll get shill to ck on sibley." McCaw: "That would be great if they keep it quiet!"

College Football

The Just-Revealed Conversations Between Art Briles And Baylor Staff Are Exactly What You’d Expect

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Texas A&M Will Pay Jimbo Fisher An Outrageous Sum Not To Coach There Anymore

Albert Burneko

Life Lessons

Life Comes At You Fast

Draymond Greens laughs after being ejected.

You’ll Never Guess Which NBA Player Hip-Checked His Way To The Center Of An Officiating Controversy

Sherrone Moore of Michigan weeps as if Jim Harbaugh died saving orphans from a fire, when in fact Harbaugh was suspended for cheating.

Penn State Failed Us All

A photo collage of Princess Diana wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jacket in 1991 while dropping her kids off from school

Arts And Culture

Princess Diana Bought That Eagles Jacket Herself

Kathryn Xu

The San Jose Sharks celebrate with goalie Mackenzie Blackwood in front of a giant banner reading SHARKS WIN.

Oilers Loss Provides Important Data Point For Grand Unified Theory Of Sports

World of Warcraft players garden in the Guardians of the Dream patch

Video Games

‘World Of Warcraft’ Players Reach New Levels Of Degeneracy, Gardening

Ray Ratto

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears reacts after a 16-13 victory against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on November 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Panthers-Bears Was Not Bad Enough

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh congratulates a player during his team's win over Purdue. Presumably everything was entirely aboveboard.

Connor Stalions Inspires Michigan Law Professor To Ask: Are Laws Even Real?

G/O Media Shutters Jezebel After Abandoning Sale Efforts

Jason Benetti looks on from the White Sox broadcasting booth.

White Sox Lose The Broadcaster Who Made Their Games Tolerable

David Roth

New Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs exults after leading his team to a comeback win against the Falcons in Atlanta.

Podcasts

A Dad’s Guide To Joshua Dobbs Mindset

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 12: Crowds jam into Caesars Sports Book at Caesars Palace Hotel &amp; Casino to bet on the Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League's Super Bowl LVII (which took place in Glendale, Arizona) as viewed on February 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas will play host to the NFL's Super Bowl LVIII, taking place next year at the recently constructed Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

Toward A Better Playoff Tiebreaker

<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

Atlanta Falcons head coach looking kind of furtive and weird on the sidelines during his team's loss to the Miami Dolphins in 2021.