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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

Kathryn Xu

Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Guardians in game six of the American League Championship Series

Rays Clinch Ultimate Thrifter World Series

Ray Ratto

Former Indianapolis Colts player Peyton Manning looks on prior to the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts during the game on September 7, 2026. He kind of looks like Tom Wambsgans.

Sometimes A Team Just Wants To Hire A Famous Guy

Barry Petchesky

CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 18: Devin Cooley #1 of the Calgary Flames warms up prior to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 18, 2026 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Terence Leung/NHLI via Getty Images)

World’s Most Normal Goalie: “The Past Is Dead, There’s Nothing For You There”

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Fox anchors Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade interview Save Our Allies Founder, Tim Kennedy outside the Fox News Channel Studios on June 07, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Politics

How Did A Famous, Lying UFC Vet Get Shot Conducting Shadowy Paramilitary Operations In The Congo?

Giri Nathan

Ben Simmons #25 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a picture during the Kings Media Day at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California.

Tiny Flame Of Joy Extinguished In Sacramento

Culture Writer

Israel Daramola

Miami Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (3) intercepts a FSU pass to the end zone in overtime to end the game during a college football game between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles on October 17, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

College Football

It Took A Lot Of Underachieving To Get Miami At No. 1

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jalen Hurts of Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the NFL match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

Jalen Hurts Is Out For The Season, And The Eagles Have A Lot Of Questions To Answer [Update]

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Creaturefector

Rolling Snakes Reinvent The Wheel

Dave McKenna

The Fights

Nobody’s Having More Fun Than Sebastian Fundora

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a home run during a game between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees on September 14, 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Oct. 19: The Swing Of Things

Bill Straw holding an Eva Cassidy record.

Arts And Culture

There’s A Difference Between Honoring A Dead Artist And Exploiting One

Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.

Hamilton Nolan

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts during the NFL London Series match between Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Jaguars Junction: Week 6

Tom Ley

The Chargers Can Fire Mike McDaniel, But Then What?

Kelsey McKinney

nathan fielder and elizabeth holmes sit on either side of a couch, staring into each other's eyes

Good Art Is Worth Waiting For

Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries attempts a lay up against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the second quarter in game one of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 17, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

WNBA

In Game 1, The Dream And The Valkyries Tried To See How Gross They Could Get

Lauren Theisen

BYU fans watch with anticipation on the last play of the game to see an incomplete pass from Notre Dame

What’s The Point Of All These Reviews?

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, participates in a discussion on “Technology, Piracy, and Artificial Intelligence in Sports” during the ISDE Sports Convention at the Official College of Architects of Madrid on May 21, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

Soccer

La Liga President Says Real Madrid Is Moving Like Joseph Goebbels

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: A detailed view of the National Championship trophy prior to a game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&amp;T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

Death To The NCAA

The CFP Is Expanding For The Same Reason The PCSA Is Gaining Momentum

Mike Elko of the Texas A&amp;M Aggies prepare to lead his team onto the field before an SEC football game between the Texas A&amp;M Aggies and Missouri Tigers on Oct 10, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO.

Do Not Rage At Your Most Online Fans

Aaron Ashby of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in game one of the National League Championship Series.

Smart Can Win

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Food

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Exults, Eventually, In The Freedom Of Audience Choice Week

David Roth

President Donald Trump speaks on stage at the Butler-Vandalia Student Activity Center during a campaign rally on October 3, 2026.

This Is So Stupid

What Is The Mob Movie Donald Trump Saw With A Gangster Named “Alan Jones” In It?

Nate Rogers

A black and white image of the concrete murals outside Dodger Stadium, taken in the 1960s.

The Secret History Of Dodger Stadium’s Mysterious Concrete Murals

Jake Bauers #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a two run Home Run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s Jake Bauerses All The Way Down

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 09: Kaitlyn Chen #2 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Aces in Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)