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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

Ray Ratto

Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Arte Moreno sold a controlling interest in the Angel franchise to Rams owner Stan Kroenke.

After Imprisoning The Angels In The Toilet For Decades, Arte Moreno Is Cashing Out

Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs takes the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on August 30, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Chicago Cubs Would Like Your Attention

Israel Daramola

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 30: The UNLV Rebels celebrate on the field after the team's 38-14 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack at Allegiant Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

College Football

We Caught These Teams Playing Imaginary Football Redhanded

Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds hugs teammate Elly de la Cruz #44 after hitting a grand slam home run in the ninth inning during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Reds Week

Historic Cincinnati Comeback Offers A Stirring Testament To The Power Of Reds Week

Lauren Theisen

Patrick Redford

Rachelle Hampton

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 22, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Defector Music Club Gets Back Together For Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears visit on set of the Wildcard on Prime post game show after an NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Chicago Bears

General Manager John Lynch, CEO Jed York and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers in the locker room after the NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions on January 28, 2024.

The San Francisco 49ers Have Revolutionized The Concept Of Losing The Offseason

A screenshot of the Starbug's bridge from an episode of Red Dwarf, with the Reds Week logo at lower right.

‘Red Dwarf’ Became A Sci-Fi Classic By Rejecting Every Sci-Fi Convention

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Louisiana State Tigers poses with the mascot before the game against the Houston Cougars during the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

The 2026 College Football Offseason Recap

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Matt Wilkinson #71 of the San Francisco Giants walks off the field at the end of the inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

Tugboat Wilkinson Has Steamed Into Port

PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 12: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on at third base during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

This Ketel Marte Thing Is Getting Strange

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Carolina Panthers

Mr. Manfred Calling For Mr. Walter

Jeff McNeil of the Athletics slides into third base safe against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the fourth inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on July 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California.

Did The A’s Infect The Red Sox With Whatever Is Wrong With Them?

A child plays alone in a soccer goal on a grassy field

Minor Dilemmas

Will My Only Child Be A Weirdo?

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Baltimore Ravens

Coach Nelson meets the press. The Golden State Warriors have named Don Nelson as the team's new head coach, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operation's Chris Mullin. Event in, Oakland, Ca, on 8/30/06.

Don Nelson Followed His Bliss And Changed Basketball

Sportscaster Mike Krukow watches from the broadcast center between the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park on October 1, 2021 in San Francisco, California.

Mike Krukow, One Of Baseball’s Greatest Hangs, Is Ready To Go

Luis Arraez of the San Francisco Giants is hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 30, 2026 in San Diego, California.

Reality Has Set In For The San Francisco Giants

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Kyle Shanahan And The 49ers Are Not Entitled To Anyone’s Trust

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors sits on the bench during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game on April 17, 2026.

In A Summer Of Superstar Movement, Steph Curry Is Conspicuously At Home

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Tennessee Titans

Owner Tom Dundon of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks during a press conference before a game on April 2, 2026.

This Is So Stupid

Here Is An Extremely And Needlessly Complicated Way To Rescue Portland From Tom Dundon

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.