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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

Ray Ratto

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 09: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Calgary Flames prior to the game at Ball Arena on April 9, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Avs Have Won Nothing

Corey Atad is a freelancer writer based in Toronto with an unhealthy Air Bud obsession.

Corey Atad

Interviews

Steven Soderbergh And Ed Solomon Talk About Their Best Collaboration Yet

Billy Haisley

Michael Olise of FC Bayern München celebrates his 4-3 goal with Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern München and fans during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF.

Soccer

Bayern Munich Did Not Believe In Magic

David Roth

Sid Rosenberg on the set of "Gravesend" filming by Michael's on April 25, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.

Media Meltdowns

Jarringly Red New York Radio Yutz Continues His Anti-Mets Tantrum In Yankees President’s Suite

Robert Pastore

Participant holding a sign at the rally. Survivors of solitary confinement

Politics

A Year After The Corrections Officer Strike, New York Is Still Failing Its Incarcerated Population

Mark Vientos of the New York Mets reacts after flying out against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Citi Field on April 12, 2026 in New York City.

Podcasts

A New Space In Which To Be Stupid, With Michael Schur

Patrick Redford

The Warriors’ Old Guys Showed Up When It Mattered Most

Kelsey McKinney

jackson merrill stretches up above the outfield fence to steal a home run ball

The Robberies Have Begun Again

Samer Kalaf

New York Islanders Raise Money For A Convicted Killer Because He’s A Cop

OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 24: Anton Forsberg #31 of the Ottawa Senators and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres shake hands after a ceremonial face-off recognizing Craig Anderson after he signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on October 24, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

It Is The Spring Of The Downtrodden

Inglewood, CA - February 15: NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver announces the MVP of the 75th NBA All-Star game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Sunday, February 15, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Behold! The ‘Nothing But Respect’ NBA Playoffs Mega-Preview

Dave McKenna

An illustration of feet walking over a chalk outline

Stories

The Killing That Won’t Let Go

Luis Paez-Pumar

Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool is checked on by Alexander Isak of Liverpool and Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain as he holds his ankle as he appears to be injured during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England.

Please End This Cursed Liverpool Season

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

Diana Moskovitz

A screenshot of Dianna Russini when she appeared on the Dan Patrick show. She's sitting in a chair and talking into a microphone

You Can Never Let Them Think They Have A Chance

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

A black and white photo of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz walking from a plane on the tarmac with their children. The black and white Minor Dilemmas logo sits in the middle of the photo

Minor Dilemmas

Should I Take My Two-Year-Old To A Soccer Match Abroad, Or Can I Leave Him At Home?

Lauren Theisen

This picture taken on November 13, 2023 shows a view of interior of the pilot cockpit and flight deck of a Boeing 777-9 jetliner aircraft

Life's Rich Pageant

“Strong Fish Smell In Cabin,” And Other Pilot-To-Ground Texts

BERGARA, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Paul Seixas of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM celebrates at podium as Yellow Leader Jersey and overall final race winner with the "Txapela" hat trophy during the 65th Itzulia Basque Country 2026, Stage 6 a 135.2km stage from Goizper-Antzuola to Bergara / #UCIWT / on April 11, 2026 in Bergara, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Cycling

Paul’s Here

Craig Fehrman last wrote for Defector about <a href="https://defector.com/it-never-ends-like-it-should" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://defector.com/it-never-ends-like-it-should&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1775741247521000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1R6Fh05yMdaM2z1ukPQtbb">the death of Iris</a>, his NBA-loving neighbor. His book <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/This-Vast-Enterprise/Craig-Fehrman/9781982174248">This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis and Clark</a> comes out on April 21.

Craig Fehrman

Map showing the route taken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their first expedition from the Missouri River near St. Louis, Missouri, to the mouth of the Columbia River at the Pacific Ocean in Oregon and the return trip to St. Louis. The expedition took place from May 14, 1804 to September 23, 1806.

History

The Hardest Part Of History To Tell Is How It Felt

MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 11: Head coach Rick Bowness of the Columbus Blue Jackets handles bench duties during the second period against the Montréal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 11, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Montréal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The Blue Jackets Have Driven Another Coach Raving Mad

Kathryn Xu

The NJ Transit logo is seen on a train at New York City Penn Station.

Transit

World Cup Transit Is Broken Before It Has Begun

Barry Petchesky

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 06: Dianna Russini attends Chris Stapleton's Performance Live From The Fillmore New Orleans for SiriusXM and Pandora on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Dianna Russini Resigns From The Athletic

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

Funbag

How Many People Would It Take To Storm Mar-A-Lago?

Sean Kuhn

A solar farm with the Defector logo on the center spire

Announcements

Achieve Information Independence Via Defector’s Spring Sale

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Report: FIFA Plans To Ask Peace Prize Winner If He Would Maybe Consider Pausing Domestic Terrorism Program For One Month

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Flau'jae Johnson (L) of LSU poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (R) after being selected with the 8th pick in the first round by the Golden State Valkyries during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. 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 Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)