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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

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

Marissa Mayer Is A True Idiot

Defector Staff

A residential area on a quiet, atmospheric evening with street lights outside the houses on the street. The cover of the book 'Incidents Around The House.'

Defector Reads A Book

There Is No Escaping Other Mommy

Patrick Redford

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 22: Diego Maradona of Argentina uses his hand to score the first goal of his team during a 1986 FIFA World Cup Quarter Final match between Argentina and England at Azteca Stadium on June 22, 1986 in Mexico City, Mexico. Maradona later claimed that the goal was scored by 'The Hand Of God'. (Photo by Archivo El Grafico/Getty Images)

Podcasts

How The Best Moment Of Cheating In Soccer History Makes The Case Against VAR

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Life's Rich Pageant

Paul Pierce Cries Poverty In Grim Men’s Court Documents

Samer Kalaf

Media Meltdowns

Pat McAfee Receives Mild Criticism From College Student, Compares It To Charlie Kirk Getting Shot

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on October 23, 2026 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Yax Romana, With Liz Franczak

Matene Toure

Arts And Culture

The Harlem Renaissance Is Still Alive In ‘Once Upon A Time In Harlem’

Kathryn Xu

Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers is safe at second base.

The Milwaukee Brewers Win At Everything

Luis Paez-Pumar

Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Kaseya Center on October 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

The Heat Are Drowning

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

promotional art for Warhound featuring five german shepherd dogs in tactical gear, two of which appear white for some unknown, potentially aryan reason

Science

More Like A Colossal Piece Of Shit

Alex Shultz is a journalist based in Brooklyn. He&#8217;s a writer for <a href="https://www.hardresetmedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hardresetmedia.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763581679564000&amp;usg=AOvVaw07bi0TNndgTXDN2QH72s3J">Hard Reset,</a> a newsletter about tech, labor, and power.

Alex Shultz

Politics

Mark Teixeira Is Sleepwalking Into Congress

Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) celebrates following a victory in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.

WNBA

Kiah Stokes Is The Unlikely Star Of These Grueling WNBA Finals

Dave McKenna

Famously Undiplomatic Britt McHenry Banished From Ballgame, State Department

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Fans react to Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrating in the final seconds of their 92-82 win over the New York Liberty in game one of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs at State Farm Arena on October 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

WNBA Moves Potential Title-Clinching Finals Game To Lunchtime

Golf

LIV Golf Given A Few More Days To Climb Out Of The Grave

Ray Ratto

Coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets during the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.

Nobody Fails Like The New York Jets

Italy's Jannik Sinner slips on the ground as he returns to Germany's Alexander Zverev during their men's singles final tennis match on the fourteenth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2026

Crosswords

The Crossword, Oct. 26: Putting Out Fires (Themeless)

Annie Berke

Is Less Bad Still Good Enough?

Tom Ley

Leave It To The Browns To Ruin The Post-Win Locker Room Video

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.

Soccer

Real Madrid Isn’t Dead Just Yet

Kaila Charles #6 and Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries reach for a rebound against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the third quarter in game four of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena on October 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Valkyries Believe In Second Chances

Baylor Football head coach Dave Aranda adjusts his headset on the sideline during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks in October 2026.

College Football

Scapegoat Season Has Arrived For College Football

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Aaron Ashby pitching on the mound during game 2 of the 2026 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Aaron Ashby Has Put The Brewers In Control

Culture Writer

Israel Daramola

Aaron Philo #12 of the Florida Gators and Daniel Pierre Louis #73 celebrate after defeating the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Now Is The Time For Hysteria

James Dolan at the Knicks' championship ceremony