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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

Tom Ley

Soccer

FIFA Will No Longer Allow Fans To Bring Water Into World Cup Stadiums

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Jalen Brunson drives the ball against De'Aaron Fox

Jalen Brunson Finished Off A Karl-Anthony Towns Master Class

Maitreyi Anantharaman

The Indiana Fever flag waves during a WNBA game between the Portland Fire and the Indiana Fever on May 20, 20, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis, IN.

WNBA

Indiana Fever Revoke Beat Writer’s Press Credentials Over Caitlin Clark Injury Report

Sarah Borus

A fly ball bounces off the head of Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell

Jo Adell Traverses The Entirety Of The Fielding Experience

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, n+1, Texas Monthly, Air Mail, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Tennis

Marta Kostyuk Will Not Break

Luis Paez-Pumar

Luka Modric of Croatia controls the ball during the international friendly match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

Croatia Is Ready To Keep The Good Times Rolling

Giri Nathan

Aryna Sabalenka reacts as she is on the way to being defeated by Diana Shnaider

Aryna Sabalenka Turns In A Textbook Meltdown At The French Open

Dave McKenna

A young boy in his little league uniform stands with his hat over his chest next to his father and uncle as they sing the national anthem before a little league game.

Minor Dilemmas

How Do You Deal With A Kid Who Wants To Quit Their Job?

Billy Haisley

Raul Jimenez of Mexico celebrates after scoring a penalti during an international friendly match between Mexico and Paraguay.

Mexico Can’t Let This Chance Slip By

Media Meltdowns

Punk-Ass Loser Nick Bilton Fires Scott Pelley For Daring To Ask Him Questions

Kelsey McKinney

host Ariana Maddux, in a gold dress, leans inside a heart shaped sculpture

Arts And Culture

I Finally Understand Why I’m Obsessed With ‘Love Island’

Politics

Atlantic Writer’s Son Offers Bold Advice To Democrats: Pretend To Be A Sports Moron

Barry Petchesky

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 02: Alexander Nikishin #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes pressures Cole Smith #22 of the Vegas Golden Knights at the boards during the third period of Game One of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on June 02, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Vegas Squeezed The Canes And Got The Juice

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

There Are More Brendan Sorsbys To Come

Patrick Redford

Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark and Team Visma | Lease a Bike celebrates on the podium as the Pink Leader Jersey and overall race winner with the Trofeo Senza Fine during the 109th Giro d'Italia 2026, Stage 21, a 131km stage from Rome to Rome, on May 31, 2026, in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto)

Cycling

Jonas Vingegaard Rides Free

Colombia's forward #07 Luis Diaz shoots during a friendly football match between Colombia and France at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on March 29, 2026.

Colombia’s Almost Too Old For This Shit

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MAY 12: of Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Podcasts

One Must Imagine Sisyphus Dunking, With Hanif Abdurraqib

Ray Ratto

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals.

There’s No Such Thing As An Inevitable Team In The NBA

Closeup of American actor Patty Duke smiling in a still from the television series 'The Patty Duke Show'.

Announcements

It’s Nice To Meet You. ‘The Patty Duke Show’ Has Fundamentally Changed Me As A Person

Sohini Desai

A Non-Exhaustive List Of Things That Happened To Me Last Week 

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Green Pakistani Parrot on White Background

Birdfector

Let Birds Masturbate

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 20: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings speaks to head coach Mike Brown in a break against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Beam Team’s Esteemed Dreams Once Deemed Reamed, Now Redeemed With New Regimes

Lauren Theisen

Pro Wrestling

How Did A C-Tier WWE Guy From Germany Become One Of The Most Popular Luchadores In Mexico?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 23: Defensive end Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns reacts as he warms up before an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field on August 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

What The Fuck Are The Rams Doing?

Sadio Mane and Pape Thiaw hold the AFCON trophy