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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

Tom Ley

Announcements

Programming Notes

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty and Breanna Stewart #30 high five during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals on October 15, 2023 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

WNBA

New York Showed Up In A Big Way

Lauren Theisen

Yordan Alvarez is upset after striking out

Jordan Montgomery Won The First Three Rounds Against Yordan Álvarez

Barry Petchesky

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Giants looks on in the second quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

The Giants Just Keep Doing Bad Things

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

Dan McQuade

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 15: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Eagles History Forever Marred By Loss To Jets

Billy Haisley

Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty reacts after a basket against the Las Vegas Aces during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 15, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

The New York Liberty Finally Won

Giri Nathan

Hubert Hurkacz celebrates with his Shanghai Masters trophy

Tennis

Hubie Hurkacz Is Happy Again

United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) celebrates his goal with United States forward Tim Weah (21) during a match between the United Sates and Germany on October 14, 2023, at Pratt &amp; Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Soccer

The USMNT Once Again Played The Best

Kelsey Plum attempts a layup in the WNBA Finals

Kelsey Plum Asks Teammate If Kelsey Plum’s Finger Is Broken Or Not

Ray Ratto

Shedeur Sanders #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the third quarter at Folsom Field on October 13, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.

College Football

The Pac-12’s Death Throes Make For The Most Entertaining Football In The Country

David Roth

Orioles reliever DL Hall leaves the mound while his teammates wait for the reliever who will relieve him during the team's Game 3 loss in the American League Divisional Series.

Nothing Is Promised, Even For The Orioles

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 11: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. #12 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after winning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 3 of the Division Series at Chase Field on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 4-2. (Photo by Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

100 Wins Doesn’t Buy What It Used To

Patrick Redford

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 1, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Jerry Jeudy Tries, Fails To Get Into It With Steve Smith

Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) gestures to fans during game four of the NLDS game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on October 12, 2023, at Citizens Bank Park.

Reporters Are Allowed To Report

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Ronald Acuña Jr. throws the ball back into the infield during Game 4 of the NLDS.

Atlanta’s Cool Guys Forgot How To Be Cool

An illustration of the cohosts of The Distraction, in the style of a Nascar fan t-shirt. We're both wearing those fire-suits and appear deeply tan.

Podcasts

A Tote Bag Full Of Starting Lineups, Live With Rohan Nadkarni

Carlsen has already lost at this point, and he looks visibly agitated

Chess

Magnus Carlsen Responds To Shocking Upset By Once Again Kinda-Sorta Accusing Opponent Of Cheating

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

Foxborough, MA - October 8: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field following the game. The Patriots lost to the New Orleans Saints, 34-0. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Jamboroo

Bill Belichick Is Going Out The Way He Came In

Kathryn Xu

Lance Lynn reacts after giving up a home run to Gabriel Moreno.

The Dodgers Need A 75-Game Series

Rocco Baldelli visits the mound to remove Caleb Thielbar

The Astros Were Not About To Lose A Battle Of Bullpens

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 11: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers looks onto the ice dejected during the second period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena October 11, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

It’s Safe To Say That’s Not The Start Edmonton Wanted

Kelsey Plum #10 of the Las Vegas Aces drives against Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the New York Liberty in the first quarter of Game Two of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 11, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Liberty Are Going Down Without A Fight

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds second base ant stares down Orlando Arcia #11 of the Atlanta Braves during Game 3 of the NLDS on October 11, 2023 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Braves Are Being Babies About Bryce Harper’s Mean Little Stare

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Anthony Davis #3 sits on the bench next to LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 07, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Get A Load Of Management’s New Claim About Load Management

Samer Kalaf

A man carries a child, wounded by Israeli airstrikes, into Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City