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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

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


Chris Thompson

The Thunder Are Sharpening Their Knives

Albert Burneko

Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md., speaks during a rally outside National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration headquarters to oppose the recent worker firings, in Sliver Spring, Md., on Monday, March 3, 2025

Politics

Weenie Centrist Legislator Faceplants Hard At Weekend Protest Event

Kelsey McKinney

dakota johnson and pedro pascal slow dance at a wedding in materialists

Defector At The Movies

A Good Marriage Plot Needs Real Stakes

<p>Former Defector intern, now freelancer.</p>
<p>For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Lucy Bloom

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers on the field before the game

Dodgers Innovate Watchable June Bullpen Game

Kathryn Xu

Lando Norris walks away after a crash during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada.

Racing

Lando Norris Fails To Find One Gap, Widens Another

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

Crosswords

The Crossword, June 16: Swing Both Ways

Lauren Theisen

J.J. Spaun fist pumps after making the winning putt

Golf

J.J. Spaun’s Last Shot Was The Shot Of His Life

Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after defeating the New York Yankees in a shutout to sweep the series at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Red Sox Fans Chopped Up And Cooked On The Hot Stove

Patrick Redford

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 13: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a layup against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Finals Good As Hell

Tom Ley

Desmond Bane #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 24, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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.

The Orlando Magic Have Acquired A Big Dog

Rachelle Hampton

Josh Hart #3 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks talk against the Indiana Pacers

Thank God Jalen Brunson And Josh Hart Are Kind Of Boring

Protests Big

Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers shoots the puck into the net behind goaltender Calvin Pickard #30, Corey Perry #90, and Jake Walman #96 of the Edmonton Oilers

Panther Machine Never Breaks

Christian Moore #94 of the Los Angeles Angels loses his helmet running to third base

Angels Call Up Christian Moore As Infield Crisis Counselor

Soraya Roberts

Arts And Culture

Stick With ‘Dept. Q’

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


Sabrina Imbler

a photo of Mary Giovagnoli, a fired Unaccompanied Children Ombuds

Interviews

An Interview With A Fired Unaccompanied Children Ombuds

David Roth

Brandy Jensen

Cyclists in a race are in the background. There is a house or wall on the left side of the road. There is a man in front, looking at the peloton, squatting halfway with his arms spread just past his knees. Next to him in the center of the road is a bicycle laid across the ground.

Defector Reads A Book

Tim Krabbe’s ‘The Rider’ Won Us Over By Losing

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Michelle Cooper #17 of the Kansas City Current looks on during the first half against NJ/NY Gotham FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium on June 07, 2025 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Soccer

Michelle Cooper Is Always Ready To Pounce

25th May 1937: Two London women reading back to back as they sunbathe by the banks of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London.

I Had A Baby And Now I Can’t Read! What Do I Do?

Barry Petchesky

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 12: Anton Lundell #15 of the Florida Panthers shoots on Calvin Pickard #30 of the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game Four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Calvin Pickard Saved The Day

Ray Ratto

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 12: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during overtime in Game Four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Oilers-Panthers Isn’t A Rivalry, It’s A Saga

Isabelle Harrison #21 of the New York Liberty goes to the basket as Michaela Onyenwere #12, Angel Reese #5, and Kamilla Cardoso #10 of the Chicago Sky defend during the second half at Barclays Center on June 10, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Liberty won 85-66.

WNBA

Yes, The Sky Is Falling For The Sky

Defector Staff

Announcements

We Let Drew Cook

Podcasts

Monorail: Origins, With Alan Siegel

<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

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica perform during the M72 World Tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 03, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.