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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

Patrick Redford

Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium with the overall leader's yellow jersey after the 20th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race

Cycling

Tadej Pogacar And The Boredom Of Perfection

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm blocks a shot by Elizabeth Williams #1 of the Chicago Sky during the second half at Wintrust Arena on July 24, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

WNBA

Dominique Malonga Gets It Done In Small Doses

Soraya Roberts

Arts And Culture

‘Such Brave Girls’ Wants To Trauma Bond With You

A float for the Cochonou brand in the Tour de France caravan, with spectators reaching out to it as it passes.

There Is No Tour de France Without The Tour de Brands

Israel Daramola

Listening Habits

In Pursuit Of Personal Taste

Albert Burneko

Marc-André ter Stegen in a German men's national team kit

Soccer

What The Hell Is Going On With Marc-André ter Stegen?

<div>Nate Jackson is a former NFL tight end and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/slow-getting-up-a-story-of-nfl-survival-from-the-bottom-of-the-pile-nate-jackson/6430451?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote9JzWMngZDpSjF2eoL1_JlyPm2QhDfkNgOzqvaB4n9ic0qqUNQ4iCwaAsasEALw_wcB"><em>Slow Getting Up</em></a>. He lives in Denver.</div>
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Nate Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 05: NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell discusses the state of the union and its direction for the upcoming year before fielding questions from the media on February 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Who Does The NFLPA Represent?

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


Sabrina Imbler

the behind of a chimp named Juma, who is displaying a behavior called grass-in-rear, in which a strand of grass dangles from his rectum

Creaturefector

Innovation Strikes In The Field Of Chimpanzee Rectum Adornment

Samer Kalaf

New England Patriots QB Drake Maye is sacked by Los Angeles Rams DT Braden Fiske and fumbles the ball in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: New England Patriots

Annie Berke

‘Ugh! As If!’ Takes On The Enduring Appeal Of ‘Clueless’

<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

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 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.

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

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.