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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

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy speaks to media at a press conference after the game against the Detroit Lions on October 13, 2024. He is wearing a plaid Cowboys hat and looks exhausted.

Mike McCarthy Is Still Sitting In The Hottest Seat In Sports

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Hoang&#8211;Kim Vu is the co-editor of the Defector Crossword. His puzzles have appeared in multiple venues, including the New York Times, L.A. Times, and USA Today.

Hoang-Kim Vu

Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees reacts after Enrique Hernandez #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hit a triple in the fifth inning during Game One of the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Oct. 28: A Cryptic!

Barry Petchesky

The Commanders Pulled Off The Perfect Hail Mary

Samer Kalaf

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets walks off the field after the game against the New England Patriots

The Jets Are All Out Of Scapegoats And Need A Quarterback

Patrick Redford

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers asks for the crowd to quiet down as Anthony Davis #3 shots free throws against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter

These Lakers Already Feel Different

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates against the Houston Rocketsduring the second half at Toyota Center on October 23, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

The Hornets Are Under Construction, But LaMelo Ball Is Still Really Fun To Watch

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani sustains a shoulder injury while trying to seal second base during the seventh inning of the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series

Ah Shit, Shohei Ohtani Messed Up His Shoulder

Freddie Freeman points his bat at the sky in the foreground while various Dodgers fans watch his game-winning grand slam home run and freak out in the background. This was from Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, at Dodgers Stadium.

That’s How You Start A World Series

Luis Paez-Pumar

A family plays the board game Risk at home

Risk Week

In A Game Of Risk, The Frustration Is The Point

Soraya Roberts

Music

In Communion With MJ Lenderman

David Gardner is a writer based in New York. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, GQ, The Ringer, and other outlets.

David Gardner

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

Taylor Swift performs onstage for night one of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 07, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Capital

How Public Stadiums Keep Some Profits Private

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A screenshot of two blonde women looking at each other, one playing the slots, in a 60s-era casino

If You Don’t Play, You Can’t Win

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

Defector At The Movies

‘Rap World’ Remembers The Truth About Suburban Malaise

Albert Burneko

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, illuminated by somewhat spooky crimson light during the pregame ceremonies ahead of Thursday night's road game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Victor Wembanyama’s Hands Missed Opening Night

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Everything I Expect From Atlantic City, Based On The ‘Rugrats’ Vacation Episode

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

Voiture 4x4 de marque Jeep Cherokee à Tignes, France.

Jamboroo

Let’s Remember Our Cars

David Roth

Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees grimaces/smirks after a strikeout in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Four of the ALCS.

Podcasts

There’s No Rutgers Football In The Champagne Room

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

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for a photo with Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, after being awarded the trophy following victory in his Men's Singles Final match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain

Tennis

Saudi Arabia Got What It Wanted From The Six Kings Slam

Nate Crudster

This Is So Stupid

No Matter What Happens In This Election, Nobody Is Allowed To Get Mad At Me

Kelsey McKinney

What Do You Risk In Revisiting A Piece Of Culture You Once Loved?

Lauren Theisen

Boise State wide receiver Jerard Rabb dives into the end zone

Boise State Will Always Be The Greatest Underdogs

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

A finished pear tarte tatin, from the show.

Food

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Scrambles To Survive Caramel Week

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

It’s Always Garbage Man Appreciation Week In Our Hearts

Dave McKenna

Defector Music Club

Defector Music Club Blows Up The Chicken Man

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 28: Dolphins swim in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Atlantic City on August 28, 2022 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. With warming waters, dolphins and other mammals have been seen swimming and feeding closer to the shoreline. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)