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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

Aaron Timms

A big inflatable soccer ball fills with air at the houston world cup fan zone.

Soccer

The World Cup For Nobody Is Almost Here

Ray Ratto

Seth Jarvis (number 24) of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates toward the home crowd after scoring during game two of the NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes on June 4, 2026.

Carolina Refused To Die, And The Stanley Cup Final Has New Life

Sarah Borus

Why Did The Brewers’ VP Of Communications Retweet This Racist Crap?

David Roth

Senegal Men's Soccer Team centre-forward Nicolas Jackson (11) defends as United States Men's National Soccer Team defender Tyler Adams (4) works the ball during a FIFA soccer match between Senegal and the USA on May 31, 2026.

Podcasts

The Dutch Style Of Pickup Soccer And A Dog Named Jeff, With Leander Schaerlaeckens

Veronica de Souza

Make It Nice

Make It Nice: Bathrooms, Backyards, And DIY Ambitions

Giri Nathan

N ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 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 the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Karl-Anthony Towns Was Calm

Kathryn Xu

Cristopher Sánchez #61 of the Philadelphia Phillies smiles after a strike out in the sixth inning during a game against the San Diego Padres.

Cristopher Sánchez Gave Up A Run

Patrick Redford

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku and Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne pictured during a training session of Belgian national soccer team.

Belgium’s Old Dogs Are Back For One Last Trick

Lauren Theisen

Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after pitching out of the sixth inning

Shohei Ohtani Is Illogical

Luis Paez-Pumar

Florian Wirtz of Germany runs with the ball during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena on March 30, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Germany Just Wants To Be Germany Again

Tom Ley

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

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, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Tennis

Marta Kostyuk Will Not Break

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

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

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)