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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

Giri Nathan

Rafael Nadal announces his withdrawal from the French Open

Tennis

Rafael Nadal Will Be Out Of The French Open, And Out Of Tennis After 2024

David Roth

Podcasts

Dispatches From The Gulf Of Pain, With David Grann

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

Dan McQuade

Ted Silary.com, with a very 1990s design.

High School Sports

Ted Silary Gave A Voice To High School Athletes

Patrick Redford

BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nobody Pounces Like The Heat

Samer Kalaf

A view of the Mets game from the concourse. Pete Alonso is about to hit a walk-off home run.

Life's Rich Pageant

There’s Something I’ve Never Seen Before

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 13: Starting pitcher Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks gestures at home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus #18 during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on May 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Birdfector

Zac Gallen Is Now An Enemy Of The Birds

Ray Ratto

From left: Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob at Chase Center, Friday, July 30, 2021, in San Francisco, Calif. The Warriors selected Jonathan Kuminga (No. 7) and Moses Moody (No. 14) in the NBA Draft on Thursday night.

Suddenly Joe Lacob Has A Budget

Luis Paez-Pumar

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates with teammates Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish after scoring the teams second goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, England.

Soccer

It Sure Feels Like It’s Manchester City’s Time

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Creaturefector

Quick, Everyone Play Dead!

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

College Football

Look At This Asshole’s Asshole Truck

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

Welcome To The Chair Saga

Holger Rune celebrates in a match against Novak Djokovic

Tennis Baby Beats Novak Djokovic Again

Soraya Roberts

17 February 2023, Berlin: Matt Johnson, director, arrives for the photocall of the film "BlackBerry". Berlinale is one of the major film festivals and lasts until February 26, 2023.

Defector At The Movies

‘BlackBerry’ Director Matt Johnson Is Not Wearing An Outfit

DENVER, CO - MAY 16 : Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during 1st game of Western Conference Final at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

The Lakers Better Hope Their Jokic-Stopper Is For Real

A flooded street is pictured in Cesena on May 17, 2023 after heavy rains caused major floodings in central Italy. Trains were stopped and schools were closed in many towns while people were asked to leave the ground floors of their homes and to avoid going out, and five people have died after the floodings across Italy's northern Emilia Romagna region.

Racing

Formula 1 Cancels Imola Grand Prix Due To Deadly Floods

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 03: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman attends the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at FLA Live Arena on February 03, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Arizona Is Gary Bettman’s Waterloo

CHICAGO,IL - MAY 16: Managing Partner Peter J. Holt of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates receiving the 1st Pick during the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place on May 16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

San Antonio Is The Perfect Spot For Victor Wembanyama

Becky Hammon coaches the Las Vegas Aces in the 2022 WNBA Finals

WNBA

Aces Coach Becky Hammon Suspended For Comments On Former Player’s Pregnancy

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Blue Jays Are Curious About Aaron Judge’s Eyes

BOSTON, MA - MAY 14: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the 76ers looks on during the game during round two game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffson May 14, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)