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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

Billy Haisley

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria.

Soccer

Lionel Messi Falls To Earth, Ascends Right Back Into The Sky

Dave McKenna

Politics

Alan Greenspan, Influential Economic Policymaker Whom I Once Terrified At A Party, Is Dead

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nathan Ngoy #25 of Belgium receives a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and IR Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California

This World Cup Is Beating A Dead Dark Horse

Seen through algae-laden green water, a tear in the recently applied sealant can be seen on the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026 in Washington, DC.

You Can Now Be Arrested For Sticking Your Hand In Donald Trump’s Disgusting Reflecting Pool

Lauren Theisen

Justin Verlander Is Looking For His Wheels

Maitreyi Anantharaman

James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers reacts as he is fouled by Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 135-118 Los Angeles Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Crosswords

The Crossword, June 22: Position Changes

Sohini Desai

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense hearing to examine the 2027 budget for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2026.

The U.S. Is Still Killing People In Illegal Boat Strikes

Barry Petchesky

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 25: Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators takes a break during a stoppage in play against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 25, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Everyone’s Mad About Brady Tkachuk Going To Florida

Tom Ley

Cape Verde supporters cheer on their team

Cape Verde Deserved Better Than Whatever The Hell JP Dellacamera Was Doing

Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia.

The Real Spain Has Now Arrived

Ray Ratto

Japan fans cheer in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Tunisia and Japan.

Tunisia Blows Up Its Manager, Still Gets Blown Out

Kyle Freeland of the Colorado Rockies takes a moment as he pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field on June 19, 2026.

Baseball’s Bad-Team Shitshow Could Use More Shit

Eloy Room of Curacao makes a save during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Curacao.

Eloy Room Saved A Place For Himself And Curacao In World Cup History

Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrate a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia

I Have Died And Gone To USMNT Heaven

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

This Is So Stupid

I Can No Longer Accept Being Condescended To By The Little Game On My Phone

Megan C. Reynolds

Arts And Culture

Looking For A Job Has Become An Alienating Humiliation Ritual

Defector Staff

Defector Up All Night

Here’s A World Cup Weekend Open Thread

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

Interviews

John Early’s Secret Is Total Commitment

Samer Kalaf

James Dolan speaks during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade

Turd Makes Brief Appearance In Punch Bowl

David Roth

Vozinha of Cabo Verde gives a thumbs up during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde.

Podcasts

Feeling Those Good Sports Feelings, With Ray Ratto

Harry Kane of England celebrates his 1-0 goal during the 2026 World Cup at AT&amp;T Stadium in Dallas, United States, on June 17, 2026.

It Is Getting Into The Car, Leaving The Office, Avoiding Traffic, And Picking Up Fish And Chips On The Way Home

Denny Carter is founder, editor, and lead writer for BadFaithTimes.com. He analyzes the NFL on the Rotoworld Football Show, and can be found on Bluesky at @dennycarter.bsky.social.

Denny Carter

Golf

Bryson DeChambeau Will Have To Decide If He’s A Golfer Or A YouTuber

Grace Byron is a critic, reporter, and novelist based in Queens. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Bookforum, and elsewhere. Her debut novel Herculine is out now.

Grace Byron

Neatly Arranged Scalpels Repetition Pattern on Purple Background Directly Above View.