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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

Lauren Theisen

Pro Wrestling

Why The Hottest New Pro Wrestling Chant Is “Fuck ICE”

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


Chris Thompson

Bryce Harper Is Still Grouchy About Dave Dombrowski’s Loose Ponderings

Ray Ratto

A customer takes a photograph of a glass of Russian River Brewing's Pliny the Younger at the Russian River Brewing Company on February 1, 2019 in Windsor, California.

Life Lessons

An Afternoon With Pliny The Younger

Maitreyi Anantharaman

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JANUARY 7: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dives for a loose ball during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on January 7, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Feb. 16: Swish

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

Interviews

Where Is Cinema?: An Interview With A.S. Hamrah


<p>Michael is a writer who has worked with The Atlantic, The New Yorker, WIRED, Vox, The New York Times, and other publications. His first book, <em>The Other Olympians</em>, which uncovers the stories of several European athletes who transitioned gender in the 1930s, is now available for purchase.</p>


Michael Waters

Officials in hazmat suits remove a medal around an olympian's neck

Olympics

Chromosome Testing Will Take Sports Back To The Dark Ages

Kelsey McKinney

a USA bobsledder pushes a sled (with a long exposure so it looks artsy)

Which Terrifying Sliding Sport Would You Brave?

Barry Petchesky

LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Ikuma Horishima of Team Japan crosses the finish line backwards after a fall as he competes in the Men's Dual Moguls 1/8 Finals against Nick Page of Team United States (not pictured) on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 15, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

This Backward Guy Medaled

Marc Kennedy of Team Canada competes in the curling men's round robin between Canada and USA during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 13, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

The Big Canada-Sweden Curling Beef, Explained

Kathryn Xu

Ilia Malinin of Team United States reacts after competing in the Men Single Skating on day seven of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 13, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Even Ilia Malinin Is Mortal

<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

A Wawa kisok displaying The Saquon sandwich

Jamboroo

Wawa: The Defector Review

nick castellanos in a black tanktop on the field during warm ups

The Phillies Can Never Make Me Hate Nick Castellanos

Giri Nathan

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Chicago Bulls

Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Become Exhausting

Taylor Hendricks of the Utah Jazz talks with team owner Ryan Smith during warmups before their game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026. Smith has a backwards baseball cap on, as always.

The Utah Jazz Got Fined For Losing Too Oafishly

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<div>Rena Behar is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor specializing in responsible travel and various international oddities.</div>
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Rena Behar

An illustration of a skier going down the mountain while holding picket signs

Capital

The Outdoor Industry Needs Workers, And Workers Need Unions

David Roth

A Pomeranian is groomed backstage during the Group Judging (Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding) at 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2025.

Podcasts

Choosing Your Pomeranian, With Kathryn Xu

Patrick Redford

US President Donald Trump (R) looks on as LA 2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman (L) speaks during an event on creating a White House 2028 Olympics task force in the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2025. The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

Famous Clients Bail On Casey Wasserman Over Gross Sex Emails To Ghislaine Maxwell

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych, with his helmet, which features pictures of people killed in the war with Russia.

Ukrainian Skeleton Slider Banned From Competition Over Helmet Honoring Athletes Killed By Russia

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


Sabrina Imbler

Wojciech Chmielewski and Michal Gancarczyk of Team Poland compete in the Men's Doubles Run 1 on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Cortina Sliding Centre on February 11, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

High-Level, Actionable Insights From Watching Doubles Luge For The First Time

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the pre-game press conference in Berlin.

The NBA Could Really Use A Break

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 11: Elias Pettersson #40 of Sweden tries to score against Goalie Damian Clara #i20 of Italy during the Men's Preliminary Group B match between Sweden and Italy on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images)

Damian Clara Was Italy’s Improbable Bastion

Billy Haisley

A child taunts the Chelsea fans during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on February 10, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

Soccer

There Are No Good Teams In The Premier League

Ilia Malinin (United States of America) competes during the Figure Skating Men Single Skating Short Programme Final Figure Skating competition.

Ilia Malinin Brings Figure Skating To The Crossroads

Laila Edwards #10 of Team United States celebrate her first goal with Hilary Knight #21 during the Women's Ice Hockey - Group A match between Team Canada and Team United States on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Team USA’s Speedy Children Delivered A Beatdown Of Canada

Brandy Jensen

Sturla Holm Laegreid from Norway reacts emotionally at the award ceremony.

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