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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

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts in the fourth inning during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

AL Central Power Rankings: Post-Deadline Edition

Kathryn Xu

Racing

What Does It Mean To Mourn In Formula 1?

Barry Petchesky

A NASA image of one of the Voyager space probes. Voyager 1 and its identical sister craft Voyager 2 were launched in 1977 to study the outer Solar System and eventually interstellar space. (Photo by NASA/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Science

Voyager 2 Has A Few Last Things To Say

Ray Ratto

New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler during a spring training workout on Feb. 18, 2023 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The Mets Threw Some More Money At Their Problems


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

A general view of the outside of Stadium Australia with the official FIFA Women's World Cup logo ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Australia and Ireland at Stadium Australia on July 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Soccer

Try Watching This World Cup In Spanish

Tom Ley

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of the New York Jets talks to reporters after the teams OTAs at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 9, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Defector Up All Night

Nathaniel Hackett Bravely Addresses Being Accurately Described As A Failure

Patrick Redford

2-time FIFA World Cup Winner and investor in NJ/NY Gotham FC emcees the World Cup Send Off for the players going to represent their countries in the 2023 FIFA World Cup after the National Women's Soccer League Match between the Chicago Red Stars and NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on June 25, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Carli Lloyd Somehow Finds Invalid Criticism For Team That Did Everything Wrong

<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

Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams talks with Greg Gaines #91, Bobby Wagner #45 and Aaron Donald #99 as they stretch before mini camp on June 8, 2022 at the team's facility at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Los Angeles Rams

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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

The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, USA, circa 1970. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Funbag

What Are The Best Roads In America?


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Bunch of people dressed like Rocky, woman standing on a blue car talking to them

Track And Field

They Can’t Take The “Rocky Run” Away From Us

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


Chris Thompson

Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Breen report on a playoff game.

ESPN Lays Off Mark Jackson One Month After Dropping Jeff Van Gundy

Luis Paez-Pumar

Netherlands' forward #22 Esmee Brugts (centre L) scores her team's sixth goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group E football match between Vietnam and the Netherlands at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on August 1, 2023.

Esmee Brugts Only Scores Absolute Firecrackers

Dave McKenna

Neon sign welcomes visitors to Bakersfield. Country western star Buck Owens, built a $10million 'Buck Owen's Crystal Palace' at Highway 99, right next to the Crystal Palace is the huge Yellow and black BAKERSFIELD sign of Sillect street that we all see from the 99 freeway Bakersfield is a city increasingly popular with Southern California families because its houses are affordable and its schools good and it still has a smalltown feel. (Photo by Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Arena Football

Arena Football League Relaunch Comes As Surprise To Cities That Will Allegedly Have Teams 

Aaron Civale #43 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 19, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Guardians Picked A Direction

Ana Capeta #21 of Portugal sends a shot off the post during the second half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia Auckland, New Zealand.

The USWNT Stayed In The World Cup By An Inch

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - JUNE 25: Head Coach Skip Holtz celebrates after defeating the New Orleans Breakers to win the USFL South Division Championship at Protective Stadium on June 25, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama.

This Is So Stupid

My Belief In The USFL Has Been Shattered

Billy Haisley

Mary Fowler of Australia celebrates after scoring a goal with her teammates that was later cancelled as a result of VAR consultation during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Canada and Australia at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia on July 31, 2023.

Canada And Spain Ate Shit And Deserved It

Albert Burneko

Arts And Culture

Paul Reubens Did Everything Funny

Media Meltdowns

Pat McAfee: My Dumb Larry Nassar Joke Is Actually Investigative Journalisms

Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers looks on during a game in Portland, Oregon.

NBA Urges Teams To Disregard Damian Lillard’s Threats

Sean Payton attends Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets on June 12, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver,

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Denver Broncos

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL season opener at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Green Bay defeated the Eagles 27-20. (Photo by Jim Luzzi/Getty Images)

If You Have A Non-Dogshit Uniform, Just Wear That Instead

David Roth

Justin Verlander of the Mets leaves the mound during his win against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, July 30.

You Have To Know How Bad You Actually Are

Justin Ellis

Travis Kelce #52 of the Kansas City Chiefs samples pizza at a Papa Johns food stand during Kelce Jam at Azura Amphitheater on April 28, 2023 in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

We Are Now Forced To Consider Whether Travis Kelce Is, In Fact, Too Turnt Up

Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets looks on during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Houston Astros at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 18, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.