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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

Barry Petchesky

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Aaron Judge Back

Tom Ley

The Rams Play In Australia In Two Days And They Haven’t Left Yet

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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

Summer May Be Ending, But We’ll Always Have ‘Sterling Point’

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Ohio State Buckeyes goaltender Amanda Thiele (30) makes a save during the first period of the Women's Frozen Four Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers on March 23rd, 2025, at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, MN.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Sept. 7: Big Resemblance

David Roth

Manager Oliver Marmol of the St. Louis Cardinals (C) argues with umpire Doug Eddings #88 after getting ejected from the game on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Heartwarming: Preposterous Doug Eddings Umpshow Unites Cardinals And Rockies In Dislike Of Doug Eddings

Kathryn Xu

Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team on the podium with his trophy during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy.

Racing

Kimi Antonelli Pulled Off A Miracle At Monza

Qinwen Zheng of China celebrates after defeating Madison Keys of the United States.

Tennis

Zheng Qinwen Survived A Near-Death Experience At The U.S. Open

Bryce Underwood of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after a 13-12 win over the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

College Football

A Loss Would Have Been Less Embarrassing Than Michigan’s Win Over Western Michigan

Patrick Redford

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nets 123-117. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Perfect Spiritual Fit Between NBA Player And NBA City Achieved

Samer Kalaf

LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer at the Intuit Dome Steel Topping Out,

Journalismism

When All You Have Is A Hammer, Every Headline Looks Like A Nail

<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

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 20: Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks fumbles the ball in the end zone as Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans tackles him during the third quarter at Lumen Field on October 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Seattle Seahawks

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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

Fernando Romero’s “El Sol” exhibition

Art Can Be What You Smell

Announcements

Defector Has A New NFL Podcast, And It Won’t Have Any Gambling Shit In It


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Sabrina Imbler

Philadelphia, USA - June 9, 2021 - The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, formerly the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the Americas.

Science

How The U.S.’s Oldest Natural History Museum Might Meet Its End

Mike Lombardi and Bill Belichick on the sideline

Mike Lombardi’s Gone And UNC Smells Rotten

Dave McKenna

Katie Taylor walks to the ring prior to fighting Amanda Serrano in their undisputed IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and Ring super lightweight championship bout during Netflix's Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3 at Madison Square Garden on July 11, 2025 in New York City.

The Fights

Katie Taylor Goes Out As The Belle Of The Brawl

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4: Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer cheers on his team before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Intuit Dome on February 4, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images) 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.

How Do We Make Sense Of ESPN Duffing Its Big Clippers Scoop?

Santa Clara, CA - February 8: New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel checks on quarterback Drake Maye in the fourth quarter. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks played in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: New England Patriots

Ray Ratto

Gillian Zucker, left, president business operation, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Inglewood Mayor James Butts at the announcement that the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held at the team's new Inglewood arena, in January of 2024.

Steve Ballmer Betrayed His Fellow Billionaires, And They Are Not Pleased

Israel Daramola

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 04: LSU Tigers mascot Mike the Tiger looks on prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome on September 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

There’s Too Much Football Happening

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 07: Dianna Russini attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Pier 48 in San Francisco on February 07, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Fanatics)

There’s A New Loser In The Russini-Vrabel Scandal

Vikram Murthi

Defector At The Movies

‘It Ends’ Is The Gen Z Horror Movie Of The Year

two cyborg cockroaches with little computer backpacks

Creaturefector

You’re Trapped Under Rubble And These Guys Are Your EMTs. WYD?

Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after defeating the Golden State Warriors 103-102 at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026

The Funniest Emails From The Kawhi  Leonard Investigation Are Also The Most Clarifying

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


Chris Thompson

Sheel Tyle and Tom Dundon sit at the dais for a press conference.