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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

Terry Bollea performs as Hulk Hogan at a Donald Trump campaign rally.

Pro Wrestling

Hulk Hogan Is Dead

David Roth

NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell discusses the state of the union and its direction for the upcoming year before the Super Bowl in New Orleans. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Podcasts

Who Can You Trust? With Pablo Torre

Patrick Redford

Cycling

My Tour de France Lunches, Reviewed

Barry Petchesky

The Ontario Court of Justice is seen in London, Ontario on February 5, 2024 where the five hockey players accused in the World Juniors sexual assault case were schedule to appear in court today. Four NHL players have been charged over their involvement in an alleged 2018 gang rape when they were part of Canada's junior national ice hockey team, local media and lawyers for the players. (Photo by Peter POWER / AFP)

Five Players Found Not Guilty In Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial

<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

Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants gestures to his teammates during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on July 23, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: New York Giants

Luis Paez-Pumar

Aitana Bonmati of Spain celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Semi-Final match between Germany and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund on July 23, 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Soccer

Spain Won An Ugly Game Thanks To Moments Of Splendor

Kelsey McKinney

black and white photo of a man with a pipe lounging with a book

Arts And Culture

How Do I Find A Non-Fiction Book I Won’t Hate?

Tom Ley

Media Meltdowns

Pat McAfee Declares Himself A “Girl Dad” In Apology To Harassed College Student

Kathryn Xu

Rich Hill #35 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the second inning against the Chicago Cubs.

Rich Hill Is BACK

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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

Chloe Kelly of England celebrates after scoring her team's second goal from a rebound following a saved penalty in extra-time during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Semi-Final match between England and Italy at Stade de Geneve on July 22, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In The Face Of Chaos, England Kept Calm And Carried On Into The Euros Final

Lauren Theisen

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers strikes out

The First-Place Dodgers Are In Relative Trouble

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on after Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. (

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Cleveland Browns

Ray Ratto

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, is seen on the field prior to a game against the Washington Commanders. His sunglasses are sitting in kind of a weird way, like hovering above his nose.

Jerry Jones Is Negotiating With Himself, As Usual

Dave McKenna

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony at Alexander Stadium on August 08, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Music

I’ll Never Stop Bragging About Seeing Ozzy On The Most Metal Tour Of All Time

Valentin Paret-Peintre of France and Team Soudal Quick-Step and Ben Healy of Ireland and Team EF Education - EasyPost sprint at finish line to win during Stage 16 of the 112th Tour de France 2025.

France Finally Has Something To Smile About At The Tour

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Brittney Sykes #15 of the Washington Mystics holds a "Pay the Players" sign following the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WNBA

WNBA Players Want To Share In The League’s “Hypergrowth”

Ozzy Osbourne Was The Frontman Of The Future

Restaurants are starting to use digital technology for self serving regarding the customer seeing their menu, ordering and paying their bill.

Funbag

Fuck The iPad Ordering Kiosk

<p>Emily Zhou is the author of <em>Girlfriends</em><i>, </i>which won the Publishing Triangle’s Leslie Feinberg Award and was nominated for a Lambda<i>. </i>She edits books at LittlePuss Press and short fiction at <em>Joyland Magazine</em><i>.</i></p>


Emily Zhou

Nerves, Nerves, Nerves

Edmundo Sosa #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after a catcher interference walk-off.

Phillies Implement Forbidden Catcher’s Interference Strategem To Walk Off Red Sox

Spectators crowd the ascent of Hautacam during the 12th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 180.6 km between Auch and Hautacam, in the Pyrenees mountains of southwestern France, on July 17, 2025.

The Tour de France Is For The Polyglots, For Now

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<p>Robert Rubsam writes fiction and nonfiction. His work has appeared in the NYT Magazine, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, the Baffler, and Liberties. He is a contributing writer for Commonweal Magazine.</p>
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Robert Rubsam

Craig Finn attends "A New York Evening With Margo Price" at The Greene Space on June 16, 2023 in New York City.

Craig Finn Can Write A Great Song, But Can He Write A Good Short Story?

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan reacts against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Tennessee Titans

Oleksandr Usyk punches Daniel Dubois during their IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO World Heavyweight titles' fight on the 'Undisputed' fight night card at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2025 in London, England.

The Fights

Heavyweight Champ Oleksandr Usyk Finally Reveals He’s A Bad, Bad Man

Washington Commanders logo displayed on a phone screen and photo of Donald Trump taken on June 25 in The Hague displayed on a laptop screen in the background. It's a photo illustration.