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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

Patrick Redford

This photograph taken on July 5, 2024, shows anti-doping testing kit materials displayed at the International Testing Agency (ITA) testing facility inside a truck at the finish line of the 7th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 25,3 km individual time trial between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin. The overall leader yellow jersey rider and stage winner are systematically summoned to be tested for doping after the day's stage, along with any rider selected by ITA based on performance or intelligence from the organisation's investigative department. A chaperon escorts the rider to the facility where a supervised urine sample is collected for testing. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)

Cycling

Intensified Doping Investigations At Tour de France Threaten Cycling’s Delicate Balance

Tom Ley

Red Alert: Nick Sirianni Has Discovered ChatGPT

Israel Daramola

Arts And Culture

For Better Or Worse, ‘The Odyssey’ Is Peak Christopher Nolan

Leander Schaerlaeckens is a long-time soccer writer, currently contributing to The Guardian and elsewhere. He is the author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722130/the-long-game-by-leander-schaerlaeckens/">The Long Game: U.S. Men&#8217;s Soccer and its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts</a>. He teaches journalism and sports communication at Marist University. He will cover his fourth World Cup in 2026.

A photo of the author Leander Schaerlaeckens taken by Asha Fuller.

Leander Schaerlaeckens

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino after presenting the FIFA World Cup Winner's Trophy to Spain in the World Cup Final. Trump's kind of leaning like there's a very heavy wind.

Soccer

FIFA Got What It Came For

Giri Nathan

Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on January 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia

Lu Dort And Zaccharie Risacher Involved In Depressing Trade

Announcements

Hey Look, We Redesigned Our Website

Kathryn Xu

George Russell climbs out of his car after crashing out on the opening lap.

Racing

Is Mercedes Conspiring Against Its Own Driver? (No.)

Sarah Borus

Sohini Desai

Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after being called out for runner's interference

Where Am I Supposed To Look When I Look At Baseball?

Charlotte Rosen

Books

How Cops Consolidated So Much Power Over Local Governments

Maitreyi Anantharaman

ABC/ESPN sideline reporter Katie George interviews head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs after the Friday afternoon college football game between the UGA Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on November 28, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

Crosswords

The Crossword, July 20: No Half Measures

LE LIORAN, FRANCE - JULY 14: Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark and Team Visma | Lease a Bike - Polka dot Mountain Jersey competes during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 10 a 166.6km stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran 1240m / #UCIWT / on July 14, 2026 in Le Lioran, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

Jonas Vingegaard Felled Yet Again By The Cruelty Of His Sport

Ray Ratto

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino look on after presenting the FIFA World Cup Winner's Trophy to Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

A Hater’s Coda To The World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino directs U.S. President Donald Trump after the team’s victory following during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina

Looking Good, Sir!

Luis Paez-Pumar

Rodri #16 of Spain lifts the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Spain Won As Only Spain Can

Jude Bellingham #10 of England scores his team’s sixth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

All 10 Goals In That Bonkers Third-Place Match, Ranked

LE LIORAN, FRANCE - JULY 14: Quinn Simmons of United States and Team Lidl - Trek competes during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 10 a 166.6km stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran 1240m / #UCIWT / on July 14, 2026 in Le Lioran, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

Quinn Simmons Lets The Bike Speak For Him, For Better And Worse

Albert Burneko

People stand at the scene of an ICE shooting that killed a man on July 13, 2026.

Politics

ICE Brings The Occupation Home

Dave McKenna

General views around Madison Square Garden on June 30, 2026 in New York City.

James Dolan Sues Wired Magazine For Writing A Story About His Shitty Ways

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Buster Posey Sucks, But Don’t Take My Word For It

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

an orange and black burying beetle on a blade of grass

Creaturefector

Homosexually Humping Corpse-Eating Beetles Here For A Good Time, Not A Long Time

Defector Staff

Children watching a movie at the Bankside Film Theatre in London, UK, 27th July 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Defector At The Movies

What’s The Worst Movie You’ve Ever Watched In A Theater?

Billy Haisley

Lionel Messi of Argentina weaves around Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon and Jude Bellingham of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina

The World Cup Is About Great Players And Nothing Else

David Roth

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres makes a kind of frowny face during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Petco Park on July 12, 2026 in San Diego, California.

Podcasts

A Rob Deer Mystery, With Justin Halpern

The Bucks Are Paying So Much For Gary Trent Jr. That The NBA Is Worried

On the left, an english fan with his face painted withe the georgian cross. On the right, the same fan with his makeup running due to crying