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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

Daulton Varsho #5 of the Toronto Blue Jays collides into Victor Caratini #37 of the Minnesota Twins at home plate during the second inning at Target Field on May 1, 2026.

The American League Is Putting The Mid In Middling

Billy Haisley

A little boy, wearing a diaper and a top hat, poses in front of a New Year's calendar at a hospital in New York City, United States, on December 22, 1949.

Minor Dilemmas

How Do I Manage My Newborn’s Life If Planning Things Stresses Me Out?

Luis Paez-Pumar

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England.

Soccer

Arsenal Can Almost Taste The Glory

Patrick Redford

Podcasts

We Can’t Grow The Game Like This, With Danny Of Who’s Next

Kathryn Xu

Jose Altuve takes a swing at a pitch over two feet off the plate.

José Altuve Takes Mighty Rip At Pitch That Would Have Knocked A Lefty Batter’s Shoes Off


<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

Professional football wide receiver Stefon Diggs walks out of Dedham District Court on May 4, 2026, following the first day of his assault trial. Diggs has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. Diggs wore a suite and tie. Around him stood several news reporters.

Stefon Diggs Found Not Guilty Of Attacking Private Chef

Tom Ley

US President Donald Trump speaks with US golfer Bryson DeChambeau and South African retired golfer Gary Player

Golf

It’s A Strange Time To Be A LIV Golf Fella

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche smiles during warmups ahead of Round Two Game Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild.

The Colorado Avalanche Don’t Need Luck

Amy McCarthy

Food

Lesbians And Legalized Gambling Are Vying To Save The American Sports Bar

Barry Petchesky

SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - MAY 05: Detailed view of the draft board is shown following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery at the NHL Network Studio on May 5, 2026 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Leafs Fell Ass-Backward Into Gavin McKenna

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


Chris Thompson

Cade Cunningham handles the basketball with Max Strus guarding.

The Pistons Are Getting Down To Business

Albert Burneko

The Machines

You Should Never Be The Most Sycophantic Participant In A Conversation With A Chatbot

Lauren Theisen

Taylor Hall #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal

Could This Finally Be The Hurricanes’ Year?

John Chayka speaks to media at a press conference he was announced as General Manager and Mats Sundin is introduced as Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations of the Toronto Maple Leafs .

Everyone Is Already Mad At The New GM Of The Toronto Maple Leafs

<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

The Jackson family poses on the red carpet

Funbag

The Musical Biopic Is Dead

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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

Arts And Culture

Jules Boykoff’s ‘Kicking’ Is Clear-Eyed And Warm-Hearted

The Minnesota Timberwolves Cannot Be Doubted

Giri Nathan

Jaylen Brown streaming on Twitch after his first-round playoff loss

Jaylen Brown Follows Up Playoff Collapse With Streamer Tantrum

Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates with his team during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami.

Racing

Cherubic Formula 1 Child Continues Success In Miami

Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United celebrates scoring the third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 3, 2026 in Manchester, England.

Manchester United Is Reaching Dangerous Levels Of Normal

Shots

You’re Not Looking Through 12,000 New Artemis Photos, So Here Are Some Of The Best

What The Hell Was That?

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Crosswords

The Crossword, May 4: Fire Away

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MAY 03: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts after the 2-1 defeat against the Montréal Canadiens in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 03, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Tampa Lost An Unlosable Game

Jakub Dobes #75, Alexandre Carrier #45 and Kaiden Guhle #21 of the Montréal Canadiens celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 3, 2026.