defector-orange-no-empty-space

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_post_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_post_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_post_card_square

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_16x9_full_width

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_3x2_full_width

lede_article_featured_1x1

lede_article_featured_1x1_full_width

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_featured_flexible_full_width

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

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-no-empty-space

Defector

Buy a Defector Gift Subscription, Get A (Different) Gift Subscription

bus-sale-3-2

2025 gift subs

<a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://demause.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://demause.net/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">Neil deMause</a> has covered sports economics for more publications than even he can shake a stick at. He’s co-author of the book <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Field-Schemes-Stadium-Swindle-Private/dp/1567511384?ascsubtag=c9dca64cfbbd6c35085d286f4423ee39b8350b2f&amp;rawdata=%5Br%7Chttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F%5Bks%7Cgoogle%5Bt%7Clink%5Bp%7C1800657108%5Ba%7C1567511384%5Bau%7C5722120546910826704%5Bb%7Cdeadspinascsubtag%3D4eba2da0f6cc83fe1f221e8d8ca5894cd93bf2a7ascsubtag%3D33f4f2a16c1eda72859c34ee8aa577410b04a0d8&amp;tag=deadspinamzn-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-ga="[[&quot;Commerce&quot;,&quot;deadspin - Baseball Doesn't Need Collusion To Turn Off The Hot Stove&quot;,&quot;1567511384&quot;]]" data-amazonasin="1567511384" data-amazontag="deadspinamzn-20" data-amazonsubtag="[r|https://www.google.com/[ks|google[t|link[p|1831644811[a|1567511384[au|5722120546910826704[b|deadspin[lt|text" data-commerceready="true">Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit</a>, and runs <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://fieldofschemes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://fieldofschemes.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">the website of the same name</a>.

WgdqVx0X_400x400

Neil deMause

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 01: Construction continues at Allegiant Stadium, the USD 2 billion, glass-domed future home of the Las Vegas Raiders on July 1, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders and the UNLV Rebels football teams are scheduled to begin play at the 65,000-seat facility in their 2020 seasons. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Allegiant Stadium Under Construction

Science

Which Teams Will Be The First Lost To Climate Change?

-b9trzb

Lauren Theisen

Screenshot of ice during Blues/Kings game from 2/24/21

blues kings

The Blues Played The Longest Game Of Keepaway Ever And Lost

150896222_10159099371879636_7101222369896621357_o

Laura Wagner

Screen Shot 2021-02-25 at 10.19.51 AM

Journalismism

Liberal Hack Wants To Create The Juicero For Journalism

Kalyn Kahler

NFL Combine

Will Anyone Miss The NFL Combine?

headshot1

Patrick Redford

BHaO_orlando-magic_Devos

Better Hate An Owner

The DeVos Family Is The Face Of American Oligarchy

Screen Shot 2021-02-24 at 3.01.17 PM

Defector Up All Night

Here Is A Delightful Surprise Message From Julius Randle’s Mom

ratto-ray_400x400

Ray Ratto

A laborer walks on the field in one of the new stadiums Qatar has constructed for the 2022 World Cup.

Soccer

We Know Just How Much Qatar’s World Cup Dream Cost

Dvora Meyers is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn. She writes about gymnastics and other topics in her newsletter, <a href="https://dvora.substack.com/">Unorthodox Gymnastics.</a>

Dvora Meyers

U.S. Gymnast Sam Mikulak, formerly of the University of Michigan, at the 2019 FIG Championships.

49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships – Day Ten

Gymnastics

Men’s College Gymnastics Must Choose Between The NCAA And Survival

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

drewkid-1-e1599592436888

Drew Magary

andrew sullivan

We Are Living In The Shitposter Economy

Spot competes at the DARPA Robotics Challenge Showcases Cutting Edge In Artificial Intelligence

GettyImages-476002856

Boston Dynamics: Robot Cop Dog Should Not Be Used To Intimidate

Ottawa Senators v Montreal Canadiens

I’m Hearing That Brady Tkachuk Now Holds A Partial Ownership Stake In The Montreal Canadiens

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic Pulled The Celtics Closer To The Toilet

The Genesis Invitational – Final Round

Golf

Tiger Woods Is Broken Again

bh def prof pic

Billy Haisley

Chelsea's French striker Olivier Giroud (L) scores during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea at the Arena Nationala stadium in Bucharest on February 23, 2021.

FBL-EUR-C1-ATLETICO-CHELSEA

Olivier Giroud Scores Fittingly Drab Golazo

VictorPortraitWClaw

David Roth

Scott Kazmir seen here during his last big league season, which was 2016.

It’s Time For A Scott Kazmir Comeback

skalaf-photo

Samer Kalaf

nardini2

Barstool Sports CEO: Has Anyone Heard About This Sexist Thing My Site Does Every Day?

Scene of single-vehicle rollover involving golfer Tiger Woods.

tiger-rollover

Tiger Woods In Surgery For Leg Injuries After Single-Car Crash [Update]

Image from iOS (36)

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jordan Henderson of Liverpool leaves the pitch as he is substituted off due to injury during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 20, 2021 in Liverpool, England

Liverpool v Everton – Premier League

Liverpool’s Season Has Fallen Apart

Iraqis drink juice at a shop in a market in Iraq's central shrine city of Najaf on September 15, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Sabah ARAR / AFP) (Photo by SABAH ARAR/AFP via Getty Images)

IRAQ-HEALTH-VIRUS-MARKET

Funbag

Juices, Ranked

Vegas Golden Knights v Colorado Avalanche

Marc-Andre Fleury Isn’t Going Away That Easily

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England.

Arsenal v Manchester City – Premier League

Resistance Is Futile Against Manchester City

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Screen Shot 2021-02-23 at 9.25.22 AM

Defector Reads A Book

I Love The Sports Chapter Of The Aeneid

Former Mariners CEO Kevin Mather with owner John Stanton and Robinson Cano

Kevin Mather Had It Coming Long Before His Rotary Club Meltdown

AJSfPYY9_400x400-1

Kelsey McKinney

Politicon 2019 – Day 1

Media Meltdowns

Slate Podcast Host Mike Pesca Suspended Following Internal Discussion About Use Of Racial Slur

IMG_5859

Giri Nathan

Screen Shot 2021-02-22 at 1.01.27 PM

PokuWatch: Proof Of Concept

All Articles