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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

Dave McKenna

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fight at AT&T Stadium on November 15, 2024.

The Fights

Ifs, Ands, And Headbutts: Irish Superhero Katie Taylor Takes Another Disputed Decision From Amanda Serrano

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Ray Ratto

Patrick Redford

a still for the netflix movie hot frosty: lacey chabert in a beanie stands in front of a sexy snowman, holding a scarf

Arts And Culture

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘Hot Frosty’

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

A de-aged Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in 'Here'

In ‘Here,’ Robert Zemeckis Is Back On His Computer-Generated Bullshit

a pygmy seahorse that is red and pink with little bumps on its body hides in a coral that looks exactly like it

Creaturefector

A Small And Beautiful Seahorse Reveals An Even Smaller And Reclusive Worm

Albert Burneko

Robert F. Kennedy looking like an old shrunken russet potato at some Trump rally.

Media Meltdowns

What The Fuck Is A “Vaccine Skeptic”?

Saquon Barkley runs for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders on November 14, 2024. He's really getting after it.

Saquon Barkley Is Saving Jobs

Barry Petchesky

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres scores the over time winning goal during an NHL game on November 14, 2024 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Chris Conaway Jr./NHLI via Getty Images)

Big-Brained Buffalo Boys Beat Blues By Brilliant Blueprint

Field workers at the New York Yankees spring training camp pull a tarp across the field during a rain delay in 2022.

A’s Vs. Rays Is The Catastrophe MLB Deserves

David Roth

NBA and FanDuel online sports betting signage is displayed on the side of a building in Phoenix, Arizona.

Podcasts

Doing Cocaine In An MRI Machine, With Arif Hasan

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 10: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on November 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 107-105 in overtime. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Jared McCain Is Seizing His Opportunity

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

Nevada Las Vegas The Strip MGM Grand Hotel Casino slot machines neon lights interior gambling

Jamboroo

Your Luck’s About To Change

Tom Ley

Jon Gruden’s Quest To Coach Again Takes A Detour At The Dipshit Factory

Lauren Theisen

Olli Maatta #2 of the Utah Hockey Club celebrates with goaltender Karel Vejmelka

Utah Hockey Club Becomes A Utah Hockey Team

Luis Paez-Pumar

Referee David Coote gestures during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield on November 09, 2024 in Liverpool, England.

Soccer

Premier League Ref Scandal Now Includes White Powder And A Gutted Lad

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Nicole Scherzinger attends the opening night of "Sunset BLVD" at St James Theater on October 20, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

Theater Is When You Never Get A Second Chance

Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks hugs former teammate Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors after their game at Chase Center on November 12, 2024.

Klay Thompson’s Golden State Return Was A Classic Buried In November

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

Something Stinks With The Fishmonger’s Cousin

An elderly man ensures a clean print onto the paper while another man turns the wheel that operates the machine. Framed prints hang on the wall, others hang up to dry. | Location: indoors. (

Announcements

Would You Like To Be Defector’s Fifth-Ever Editorial Intern?

a mossy stick insect of the species Trychopeplus mashpiensis dangling from some moss

Mossy Stick Insect STUNS In New Photos

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Supporters hold "Women for Trump" signs as they watch Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speak at a campaign rally at the Santander Arena on November 04, 2024 in Reading, Pennsylvania

Under The Influence

It’s Safe For Lifestyle Influencers To Be MAGA Now

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

Dan McQuade

Color print of late Victorian marketing for bathroom and sanitary equipment. It's for Twyford’s Improved Independent Canopy Bath combining plunge, shower, and spray. There is also a Cabinet Bath Enclosure that looks like a coffin (and also a cabinet, I guess)

College Football

Showering After A Loss Is Just Too Self-Indulgent

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

A well-made Spotted Dick, as presented on The Great British Bake Off.

Chefector

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Expertly Spots Dick For Dessert Week

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Jaloni Cambridge #22 of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the court during the game against the Cleveland State Vikings at Value City Arena on November 5, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

College Basketball

Get Ahead Of The Curve And Watch These Exciting New Freshmen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 12: Gabriel Vilardi #13 of the Winnipeg Jets celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Gabe Vilardi, You Filthy Boy

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California.