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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

David Roth

John O'Brien of Troy works on a puzzle as the Times Union hosts the inaugural Upstate Crossword Championship tournament Saturday Sept. 22, 2018 in Colonie, NY.

Podcasts

Song Of The Puzzlesmith, With Ian Livengood

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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

The Montreal Victoire celebrate their victory

Women's Hockey

The Montreal Victoire Make A Living As Champions

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<p>Robert Rubsam writes fiction and nonfiction. His work has appeared in the NYT Magazine, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, the Baffler, and Liberties. He is a contributing writer for Commonweal Magazine.</p>
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Robert Rubsam

Arts And Culture

‘Blue Heron’ Is A Revelation

Lauren Theisen

Mitch Marner #93 of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on during warmups ahead of Game One of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on May 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.

Mitch Marner Needed To Get Out Of Toronto

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jenna Lewis Dougherty, Kyle Fraser, Savannah Louie, Q Burdette, Angelina Keeley, Charlie Davis, Kamilla Karthigesu, Genevieve Mushaluk, Colby Donaldson, Dee Valladares, Chrissy Hofbeck, Benjamin "Coach" Wade, Christian Hubicki, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Emily Flippen, Ozzy Lusth, Rick Devens, Cirie Fields, Tiffany Ervin, Rizo Velovic, Joe Hunter, Jonathan Young, and Aubry Bracco attend and Jeff Probst hosts the Survivor 50 Live Finale at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, California on May 20, 2026.

The ‘Survivor 50’ Finale Was A Dark Omen For The Future

Justin Ellis

Minor Dilemmas

How Do We Decide To Have A Baby If We’re On The Fence?

Israel Daramola

Listening Habits

The Passion Of The Drake: A (Mostly) Objective Review Of His Three New Albums

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


Chris Thompson

Stephon Castle dribbles against Alex Caruso

You Do Not Have To Hand It To Oklahoma City, And By “It” I Mean The Basketball

<p>Sean T. Collins has written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Decider, Pitchfork, and many others. He lives with his family on Long Island.</p>


Sean T. Collins

Kill Grogu

Barry Petchesky

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 20: Carter Hart #79 of the Vegas Golden Knights allows a goal from Valeri Nichushkin #13 of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

I’m So Sick Of The Golden Knights

US former football player Tom Brady walks the runway during the Gucci Cruise 2027 collection fashion show at Times Square in New York on May 16, 2026.

Tom Brady: The Leather Years

Daniel Radcliffe seen onstage during curtain call at "Every Brilliant Thing" Opening Night at Hudson Theatre on March 12, 2026 in New York City.

Daniel Radcliffe Will Talk You Off The Ledge

Patrick Redford

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MAY 19: (L-R) William Saliba and Riccardo celebrate Arsenal winning the Premier League after watching AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City at Sobha Realty Training Centre on May 19, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Soccer

Winning Justifies Itself


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Sabrina Imbler

Creaturefector

What The Fuck Is Happening With This Fish

Defector Staff

Jeff Probst and the immunity idol during the Survivor 50 season finale

And So We Arrive, Starving And Exhausted, At The Defector ‘Survivor 50’ Finale Questionnaire

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Hudson Williams, Alyssa Liu, Megan Skiendiel and Lola Tung sit side-by-side in the sun looking at the camera in Laufey's music video for "Madwoman"

Life Lessons

Wasia Can Be A Lot. It’s Fine.

<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

Gloria Caulfield delivers her commencement address

The Machines

Wow! America’s Graduating Seniors Really Fucking Hate AI!

Tom Ley

The Knicks Made A Delicious Meal Out Of James Harden

<div><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mattribel.bsky.social">Matt Ribel</a> writes about the intersection of science, technology, and politics. His features have appeared in WIRED, Washingtonian, and elsewhere.</div>


Matt Ribel

An illustration of a hand taking a circuitous route to a mailbox to send in a tax return, while a number of other hands try to block it.

Politics

Free, Easy, Dead: The Difficult Birth And Predictable Death Of IRS Direct File

Billy Haisley

Mocking Southampton fans in camouflage ghillie suits after their side was accused of spying on a Middlesbrough training session before the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final Second Leg match between Southampton and Middlesbrough at St Mary's Stadium on May 12, 2026 in Southampton, England.

Saints Frog-Marched Out Of Playoff Final As Punishment For Spying

Funbag

How To Eat A Pop-Tart Correctly

09 June 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: Polish author Olga Tokarczuk speaks on the panel at Phil.Cologne, the international festival of philosophy. Photo: Horst Galuschka/dpa (Photo by Horst Galuschka/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The Written Word Is Having A Rough Week

Jakub Dobes #75 of the Montreal Canadiens is congratulated by Alexandre Carrier #45 of the Montreal Canadiens

Jakub Dobes Is Growing Up

Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Dylan Harper Demands Your Attention

1940s Helpful Department Store Saleswoman Holding A Dress For Ctomer Wearing A Hat With Coat And Handbag Over Her Arm