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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

Soraya Roberts

Arts And Culture

To Artistic Freedom: The Cause Of, And Solution To, All Of Life’s Problems

Brandy Jensen

Defector Reads A Book

Defector Reads A Book Is Deciding If This Is The Funniest Novel Ever Written

Kelsey McKinney

Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds leaps to make a catch in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s A Big Baseball Weekend For Big Baseball Things!

Luis Paez-Pumar

Zagreus faces off against Meg, the first boss in Hades

The Backlog

‘Hades’ Made Hell A Real Hoot

Israel Daramola

Ray Ratto

College Football

There’s No Getting Around The Money

Samer Kalaf

All Your Favorite Sellouts Will Be At The Riyadh Comedy Festival

David Roth

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 14, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Podcasts

Analytics, Feel, And The Bathroom Sandwich Scenario, With Andy Behrens And Christopher Harris

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

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1993: Still life: Medicinal pills and tablets. (Photo By DEA / G. CIGOLINI/De Agostini via Getty Images)

Jamboroo

My Life As A Pharmaceutical-American

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

John Schneider argues with umpire Gabe Morales.

John Schneider Seeks A Cure For The Blue Jays’ Case Of Loser Brain

Listening Habits

Jay Electronica And ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Address The State Of Rap In 2025

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

Dan McQuade

Modell’s Sporting Goods, logo in Queens borough.

Capital

SEC: This Ponzi Scheme Involved Buying Modell’s Out Of Bankruptcy

Edmundo Sosa stands at the top of the dugout steps, making a heart with his hands above his head, as Phillies fans cheer. He's in his white pinstripe Phillies jersey.

I Saw The Phillies Hit Eight Homers

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 13: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on while standing next to Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on May 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Dumper And Judge Are Bringing The Thrill In The MVP Race

Giri Nathan

The cover of the novel Underspin, by E.Y. Zhao

Interviews

E.Y. Zhao On The Cloistered, Competitive, Slippery-Floored World Of Table Tennis

Patrick Redford

Defector At The Movies

‘HIM’ Is A Non-Starter

Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw Is Exactly Charlie Kirk’s Type

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter during Game Two of the WNBA Semifinals at Target Center on September 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mercury defeated the Lynx 89-83 in overtime.

WNBA

Sami Whitcomb Stayed Ready, And It Paid Off

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 22: Head coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty gestures during the first quarter of the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

New York Liberty Shock WNBA World By Firing Underperforming Coach

Two little Yorkies, one owned by Isabelle Harrison and one owned by Dan Campbell.

This Is So Stupid

Sports Yorkie Showdown: Whose Pup Is Punier?

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

Grizzly Bear’s Daniel Rossen Talks Old Scenes And A New Tour

Barry Petchesky

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Steven Kwan #38, Daniel Schneemann #10 and Petey Halpin #0 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate the team's 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Maybe The Guardians Can Keep Getting Away With This

Paul Hollywood's glazed donuts, from the show.

Food

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off  Makes Goddamned Donuts For Bread Week

Mike Gundy Is A Fired Man, Over 40

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: A young band member is seen wearing Union Jack sunglasses as Orangemen and band members take part in the annual Twelfth of July parade on July 12, 2024 in Belfast, United Kingdom. The Twelfth of July, also known as "The Twelfth" or "Orangemen's Day," is celebrated in Northern Ireland to commemorate King William's victory over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne 334 years ago. The day features parades, bonfires, wreath-laying ceremonies, and performances. The Belfast parade attracts tens of thousands of spectators each year and is part of broader celebrations with demonstrations hosted in 18 locations across Northern Ireland, including Bangor, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Newtownards, and Derry?. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Funbag

Confessions Of A Cheeky Anglophile

Bo Levi Mitchell #19 of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats looks to the sidelines during warm up before a game against the Edmonton Elks at Hamilton Stadium on September 20, 2025.