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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

Members of the Auburn Tigers celebrate their 74-69 victory over the Houston Cougars on November 10.

College Basketball

Auburn Beat Each Other Up Before They Beat Houston

Billy Haisley

Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv stage a pro-Israel demonstration at the Dam Square, lighting up flares and chanting slogans ahead of the UEFA Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax in Amsterdam, Netherlands on November 07, 2024. Maccabi fans clashed with pro-Palestinian citizens and ripped off Palestinian flags hung on the streets. In the lead-up to the Ajax vs Maccabi Tel Aviv match, several areas of Amsterdam have been designated as security risk zones.

Soccer

The Media Can’t Figure Out Why Some Racist Israeli Soccer Hooligans Were Beaten Up

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


Sabrina Imbler

Two elephants interacting with a water hose. one is attempting to shower with it and the other is gripping it tightly in her trunk

Creaturefector

The Shower Beef Between Elephant Mary And Elephant Anchali, Explained


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Split image of Magic Johnson rubbing his hands in front of the AOL logo. Other side is David Hasselhoff, as Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch, pointing while in an America Online NASCAR racing suit

Life's Rich Pageant

“You’ve Got Mail” Reminds Me Of A Specific Time And Place

Israel Daramola

Going For Two Is Always The Correct Call

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


Chris Thompson

Johnny Davis of the Wizards, flailing at the basketball while being struck in the face, with the word "BUTT" superimposed over his arm.

Here Are Some Young NBA Players Who Are Butt

Ray Ratto

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The image is blurry in an artful way.

America Needs More Ravens/Bengals Football

Tom Ley

WASHINGTON - AUGUST 21: Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., speaks during day three of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Politics

The Cowards Are Already Making Plans

Lauren Theisen

A Delta Air Lines banner ad for Pride Night is seen behind Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers as he pitches

End MLB Pride Nights

Creature Drops: A Big Baby From Patagonia

Closeup of painted Oakland Raiders fans in Black Hole during game vs New York Jets in Oakland in 2003. They've got like weird helmets and skull stuff going on.

A Taste Of That Football-Shaped Bread, With Ray Ratto

A black-and-white photo of a partial skeleton at the bottom of a rocky well

Science

This Week In Skeletons

<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

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 03: Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Colts 21-13.

Jamboroo

My Big Boy Sam Darnold Is Big Fun

Luis Paez-Pumar

Sporting Lisbon's players celebrate after Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres scored his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 4 football match between Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on November 5, 2024.

The New Champions League Format Actually Rocks

It Has Come To This: A Derrick White Appreciation Blog

Stephen Curry (right) and Steve Kerr (left) high-five during an April 26, 2023 Warriors game against the Sacramento Kings.

The Warriors Are Still Doing It The Warriors Way

Quincy Jones on stage at The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and The Recording Academy Los Angeles chapter honoring Herbie Hancock all star tribute concert at the Kodak Theatre

Arts And Culture

Quincy Jones Was Greater Than Any One Era

<p>Eva Holland is a freelance writer and editor based in Whitehorse, Yukon. She&#8217;s a correspondent for Outside magazine and the author of the books <i>Nerve </i>and <i><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/no-sleep-til-fairbanks#/">No Sleep &#8216;Til Fairbanks</a>.</i></p>


Eva Holland

Lael Wilcox pedaling past a field of poppes in Spain

Cycling

Trying To Catch Up With Lael Wilcox As She Biked Around The World In 108 Days

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

Workers prepare US Capitol for 2025 inauguration.

Margin Of Error

Last Time Was Lucky

Goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck (left, in a helmet) and Eric Comrie (right, arms flung up as if to give a big hug) of the Winnipeg Jets celebrate following a 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Might As Well Believe In The Winnipeg Jets

the remains of brownie batter in a pot and s'mores toppigs in a bowl

Chefector

Here Is How My Brownies Turned Out

<p>Jae Towle Vieira [they/them] works as a producer for Normal Gossip. Their fiction has been published in <i data-stringify-type="italic">The Normal School</i>, <i data-stringify-type="italic">New England Review, Carve Magazine, Passages North, Fairy Tale Review</i>, and elsewhere.</p>


Jae Towle Vieira

Normal Gossip logo with cartoon characters gossiping

Podcasts

Bromance Languages 101

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 5: A sign points voters where to go for voting at a voting precinct at the Two Towers Condominiums, in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 5, 2024.

After Tuesday

Kelsey McKinney

A finished Parkin, as presented on the show.

Food

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Contemplates The Melting Method For Autumn Week

Barry Petchesky

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 06: Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump makes a speech during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, on November 06, 2024.