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Defector

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


Dan McQuade

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on November 23, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Eagles’ Struggles Are Simply Offensive

Kathryn Xu

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (9) sprinting to first base on a walk.

Brandon Nimmo Will Now Do His Sprinting To First Base In Texas

Lauren Theisen

GREEN BAY, WI. - NOVEMBER 2025: Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (95) sacked Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field

J.J. McCarthy Is Not Beating The “Sucks” Allegations

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Around 500 people perform yoga on the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga at Cyber Hub near Cyber city, on June 21, 2025 in Gurugram, India. International Yoga Day emphasises the numerous benefits of yoga for personal wellness and mindfulness, urging individuals to embrace calm amidst chaos. Celebrated annually on June 21 since 2015, this year's theme is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.'

Crosswords

The Crossword, Nov. 24: Fight For Rights (Themeless)

Jasper Nathaniel

Politics

Good Settler, Bad Settler

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.</p>


Owen Lewis

David Benavidez exchanges punches with Anthony Yarde in a WBC and WBA light-heavyweight title fight during Ring IV: Night of the Champions at ANB Arena on November 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Boxing

The Fights Got Bloody In Riyadh

Ray Ratto

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 07: Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders before the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Chip Kelly Learns That Like Any Ancient Evil, The Raiders Demand Blood

Tom Ley

Malik Nabers attends the MLS match between New York City FC and Inter Miami CF at Citi Field on September 24, 2025 in New York City.

Malik Nabers Doesn’t Know What The Hell The Giants Are Doing, Either

Barry Petchesky

IN SPACE - MAY 23: In this handout image provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, the International Space Station and the docked space shuttle Endeavour orbit Earth during Endeavour's final sortie on May 23, 2011 in Space. Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli captured the first-ever images of an orbiter docked to the International Space Station from the viewpoint of a departing vessel as he returned to Earth in a Soyuz capsule. (Photo by Paolo Nespoli - ESA/NASA via Getty Images)

Science

One Small Step For A Moss, One Giant Leap For Mosskind

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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

SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Rose Lavelle #16 of NY/NJ Gotham FC celebrates scoring the winning goal with teammates during the 2025 NWSL championship game between Washington Spirit and NJ|NY Gotham City FC at PayPal Park on November 22, 2025, in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Elysia Su/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Soccer

Gotham Grabs The Crown Of An NWSL At A Tipping Point

Luis Paez-Pumar

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on from the bench in the second half during timeout against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on November 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

Even In Street Clothes, Ja Morant Is The Drama

Second placed Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren (later disqualified) on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Racing

McLaren’s Las Vegas Double DQ Has Blown The F1 Title Race Wide Open

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - NOVEMBER 22: Dakota Mermis #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs fights Florian Xhekaj #63 of the Montréal Canadiens during the third period at Bell Centre on November 22, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Reuben Polansky-Shapiro/NHLI via Getty Images)

You’re Either An Arber Xhekaj Or A Simona Xhekaj

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


Chris Thompson

Victor Wembanyama sits court-side in street clothes.

Basketball Is Too Hard For All This Soft Tissue

Tarik Skubal warming up during the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners; in the background, out-of-focus camera flashes resemble a field of twinkling stars.

Now Is The Time To Fantasize About Your Loser Club Trading For Tarik Skubal

Patrick Redford

Alexey Lutsenko of Kazakhstan and Team Israel - Premier Tech (C) with teammates prior to the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 1 a 184.9km stage from Lille to Lille / #UCIWT / on July 05, 2025 in Lille, France.

Cycling

The Israel–Premier Tech Cycling Team Is No More

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Two joggers run in an autumnal park between two trees.

Life Lessons

Falling Back In Love With Running

<div>David Covucci is the editor-in-chief of <a href="https://foiaball.beehiiv.com/p/foiaball-football-for-the-people">FOIAball</a>, a new publication utilizing public records to report on college football.</div>


Dave Covucci

UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) runs onto the field with teammates before the game against Nebraska at the Rose Bowl on November 8, 2025 in Pasadena, California.

Death To The NCAA

How UCLA Used A Friendly Charity To Get Tax-Free NIL Money

Israel Daramola

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the field with a raised fist.

College Football

Everybody Wants Lane Kiffin


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Sabrina Imbler

a photo of RFK Jr. where he looks like a broken Chuck-E-Cheeze animatronic

Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism, No Matter What The CDC Website Now Says

A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces and Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces wear shirts saying "Pay us what you owe us" prior to the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.

WNBA

The WNBA’s Million-Dollar Offer Is A Misdirection

David Roth

Red-legged Pademelon in the rainforest, Daintree, Queensland, Australia.

Podcasts

A Big World Full Of Friendly Little Guys, With Nathan Thornburgh

Giri Nathan

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers attends the Allen &amp; Company Sun Valley Conference on July 9, 2025 in Sun Valley, Idaho. Every year, some of the world's wealthiest and most powerful figures from the media, finance, technology, and political spheres converge at the Sun Valley Resort for the exclusive week-long conference hosted by boutique investment bank Allen &amp; Co. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)