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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

Ray Ratto

Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres screams triumphantly in the outfield at the end of his team's Game 3 win in the National League Divisional Series on October 8, 2024.

The Padres Keep Getting Louder

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

Diana Moskovitz

Lesley Ryder is a writer and a host covering the Chicago Red Stars. She co-created <a href="https://galpalsports.com/">Gal Pal Sports</a>, a platform that lives to make women’s sports fun for everyone.

Lesley Ryder

San Diego Wave flags during the NWSL match between the San Diego Wave FC and the Portland Thorns on May 26, 2023, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA.

NWSL

San Diego Wave, NWSL Sued For Team’s “Abusive And Hostile Work Environment”

Rachelle Hampton

Six older gentlemen wearing red jerseys stand on a green field, cheering excitedly.

Arts And Culture

‘The Golden Bachelorette’ Is Like A Wildlife Cam But For Old Dudes Who Rock

Jae Towle Vieira [they/them] works as a producer for Normal Gossip. Their fiction has been published in The Normal School, New England Review, Carve Magazine, Passages North, Fairy Tale Review, and elsewhere.

Jae Towle Vieira

Normal Gossip logo with cartoon characters gossiping

Podcasts

All’s Fair In Love And Fanfiction

Barry Petchesky

There’s Officially Hockey In Utah Now

Kelsey McKinney

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Professionally made mint chocolate biscuits, from the show.

Chefector

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Conquers Biscuit Week Easily

Giri Nathan

Frances Tiafoe yells "Fuck you" at the umpire after a loss.

Tennis

Frances Tiafoe Provides Postmatch Feedback To Umpire: “Fuck You”

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

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: In this photo illustration, the names of the candidates for the 2024 Presidential election, including Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, appear on a vote-by-mail ballot on October 02, 2024 in Miami, Florida. With 33 days to go until election day, voters across the nation have begun to receive their absentee/mail ballots. (Photo illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Funbag

October Surprises Are Bullshit

Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell in a scene from the film 'Groundhog Day', directed by Harold Ramis, 1993.

This Is So Stupid

You’re Stuck In A Time Loop. How Are You Helping Your Team Win A Game?

Samer Kalaf

Aaron Rodgers and Robert Saleh talk on the sideline.

Aaron Rodgers Fires Robert Saleh

Lauren Theisen

Tarik Skubal Didn’t Need Much Help

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Long angle shot of Bryce Harper standing there, back 3/4 to the camera, looking at the ball. He's just hit a homer. Behind him in the photo is the Phillies dugout watching, and fans going wild in the stands. It's a long shot, about 25-30 rows of fans.

Bryce Harper Is A Bargain

Soraya Roberts

‘The Tall Guy’ Is Richard Curtis At His Pre-Hollywood Best

Love, Hate, Clairvoyance: Your 2024–25 NHL Preview

Shams Charania speaks with Mike Miller (L) and Donnie McGrath during the Paolo Banchero All Star Weekend kickoff party

Journalismism

Shams Charania’s Syntactical Talents Are Headed Toward A Bristol-Based Location

Josh Allen is injured after a play in the fourth quarter of the Bills-Texans game.

The Bills’ Management Of The Clock And Josh Allen Was Atrocious

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball as Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle during the first half at FedExField on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.

Jayden Daniels Has Brought The Commanders To Life

Luis Paez-Pumar

Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, applauds the fans following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on October 05, 2024 in London, England.

Soccer

Liverpool Hasn’t Missed A Beat Under Arne Slot

Kathryn Xu

Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after the game-winning hit to defeat the New York Mets.

Nick Castellanos Answers The Mets’ Whimsy

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the New York Liberty shoots a layup against Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces in the fourth quarter of Game Four of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 06, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Liberty defeated the Aces 76-62 to win the series three games to one. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

WNBA

The Liberty Get To Talk The Crap Now

Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on November 17, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Oct. 7: Pile Your Plate High

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A gelatinous organism called a ctenophore with two rear ends

Creaturefector

When Two Rear Ends Are Better Than One

Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres makes a jumping catch into the crowd to rob a home run during game two of the National League Divisional Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 6, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

Jurickson Profar Got In Dodgers Fans’ Heads

David Roth

Tesla CEO Elon Musk (R) jumps on stage as he joins Donald Trump. You can see Musk's tummy; Trump looks kind of upset.

Politics

Check Out These Cool Moves!

Aaron Rodgers of New York Jets looks dejected during the NFL match between New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 6, 2024 in London