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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

David Roth

Visitors inspect the exhibitions at the Great American State Fair on June 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Politics

Dead Country Fair


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

Creaturefector

This 17th-Century Flemish Painting Held A Gnarly Bat Secret

Samer Kalaf

Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game Five

Celtics Jettison Beloved Finals MVP For Lapsed Podcaster And Some Picks

Tom Ley

Malik Tillman celebrates with his teammates

Soccer

The USMNT Suffered In Style

Billy Haisley

Michael Olise of France attempts an overhead kick which hits the crossbar during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden

Michael Olise And France Are Soccer’s Greatest Evangelists

Ray Ratto

Joe Mack #80 of the Miami Marlins rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run

The Fish Don’t Stink

Harry Kane celebrates as his teammates cheer behind him

The Game’s About The Ballers

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: Olivia Miles #5 of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on June 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, 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 Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Liv Takes Miles, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Various trinkets with a chain and padlock superimposed over them

Under The Influence

Trinket Box Purveyors Are Melting Down

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel Jr. (69) before an NFL game

Journalismism

ESPN Retracts Article About NFL Player And Dead Woman In Dominican Republic

Luis Paez-Pumar

Julian Quinones #16 of Mexico is thrown in the air by team mates as they celebrate after the team's victory and progression to the Round of 16 after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

There’s No Team Scarier Than Mexico At The Azteca

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Willson Contreras is restrained by like 11 different dudes.

Cade Cavalli Insists There Was Nothing Racist About Calling Willson Contreras “Boy”

KENYA - 2018/08/19: A Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata) at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Gracie The Giraffe Is Back Home. Now Rich Guys Can Buy Her.

<div>John Garrison Marks is a historian and writer who explores how Americans engage with the past. He is the author of <i><a href="https://uncpress.org/9781469693521/thy-will-be-done/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://uncpress.org/9781469693521/thy-will-be-done/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781017423627000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1jL0F6t9RI1FoZYDei0VCw">Thy Will Be Done: George Washington&#8217;s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory</a>.</i> He&#8217;s on Bluesky at <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/johngmarks.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bsky.app/profile/johngmarks.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781017423627000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0S-WpY5TzWTHvzMhKssu2S">@johngmarks.com</a>.</div>
<div></div>


John Garrison Marks

A drawing of the State of Liberty wearing a bunch of cheaply made America250 merchandise.

Life's Rich Pageant

“We Hold These Truds”: A Search For The Weirdest Piece Of America 250 Merchandise


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

A protester supporting transgender athletes competing in women's sports holds a transgender pride flag outside the Supreme Court on January 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. The protestor is wearing a crown similar to the Statue of Liberty.

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Bans On Trans Athletes In School Sports

TIGNES, FRANCE - JULY 26: UCI Commissaire Tour De France and Thierry Gouvenou of France TDF Race director / Stage neutralized - canceled due to snow and hail in the final 20km to finish-line / during the 106th Tour de France 2019, Stage 19 a 126,5km stage from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Tignes 2113m / TDF / #TDF2019 / @LeTour / on July 26, 2019 in Tignes, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Cycling

Why The Tour de France Route Is Different Every Single Year

Sarah Borus

Texas Rangers second baseman Cameron Cauley (27), in his major league debut, reacts after hitting a triple for his first major league hit during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians on June 29, 2026

You’re Going To Have To Care About The AL’s Snooziest Teams

<p>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 <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Erling Haaland watches a ball fly over the heads of Ivory Coast players

Funbag

A Clueless Soccer Guy’s Favorite World Cup Things

Israel Daramola

What’s Going On With Brandon Aiyuk?

Ronald Koeman puts his face in his hand while watching his team lose

World Cup Recrimination Is The Best Recrimination

Sohini Desai

Colombia's singer Shakira holds the Jo'bulani football that will be used for the final of the tournament during a press conference on July 10, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

A Brief History Of The World Cup Song

Sophie Abromowitz

Life Lessons

Finding Friends, Legacy, And Leather Sluts At New Jersey’s Finest Holiday Inn

Media Meltdowns

One Of Dianna Russini’s Funny Little Stories Was A Big Fat Fib

Orlando Gill #12 of Paraguay celebrates after saving the sixth penalty by Jonathan Tah #4 of Germany in a penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Mr. Nagelsmann, Tear Down This Meat Wall!

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) looks on before the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings on October 20, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.