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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.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Before You Is The Defector Mega-Preview Of The 2025 NBA Finals. Kneel!

Miguel Andujar of the Athletics reacts at a called strike against the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the seventh inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on May 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California.

The Athletics Have Hopped Back Into The Dumpster

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a pass against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

They Can’t All Be Thrillers

Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up against the Dallas Stars in Game Four

Oh God, Stuart Skinner Controls The Oilers’ Destiny

RALEIGH, NC - MAY 22: Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice participates in a press conference after game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes on May 22, 2025 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Paul Maurice Is The Jack Adams Of Not Being A Jackass

Florida Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice looks on during the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers on Friday May 9, 2025.

Paul Maurice And The Panthers Do Not Care If You’re Having Fun

Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on May 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pirates Avoid Historic Humiliation, Suffer Regular Kind Instead

Tyler Seguin #91 of the Dallas Stars is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 21, 2025.

Three Goals, Six Minutes, No Response

Rich Hill #44 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the seventh inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 29, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

It’s Time To Start The “Rich Hill Is BACK” Countdown

Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers fights with Shayne Gostisbehere #4 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 20, 2025.

For The Panthers And Thunder, The Worse The Better

TORONTO, ON - May 18: The Toronto Maple Leafs skate off the ice after game 7 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on May 18, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Seven Is The Leafs’ Unlucky Number


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Sabrina Imbler

Kelsey McKinney


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

The two Eurovision hosts are surrounded by dancers holding giant fondue sticks.

Music

Can You Do Racism Against Italians? A Eurovision Roundtable

Group shot of the 1919 White Sox. They would after this year be known as the "Black Sox Scandal" team, due to the allegation that eight members of the team accepted bribes to lose the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.

Baseball Frees Its Gambling Ghosts

Tyrese Haliburton greets fans after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs.

No One Ever Sees The Pacers Coming

Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort, left, during batting practice before the opening day game against the Athletics at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The Colorado Rockies Can’t Even Lose Right

A passer-by looks on as worker hangs papal bunting over the entrance to the Holy Name Cathedral after Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, had been named as first American leader of the Catholic Church. She's wearing a White Sox hat.

Which Accursed Chicago Baseball Fan Base Will Get To Claim Pope Leo XIV?

Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the Saint Peter's Basilica balcony, at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican on April 8, 2025.

Life's Rich Pageant

Well, They Made A Cubs Fan The Pope [UPDATE]

Mikal Bridges celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs.

The Knicks And Maple Leafs Are Refusing To Stick To The Script

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on October 21, 2017.

Gregg Popovich Was Too Far Ahead To Be Patient

Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Houston Rockets after making a three-point basket during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

Sometimes It’s The Buddy Hield Game

WINNIPEG, CANADA - MAY 4: Winnipeg Jets players salute the fans following a 4-3 double overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canada Life Centre on May 4, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

They’ll Talk About That One In Winnipeg Forever

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - MAY 01: in the third period of Game Six of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 01, 2025 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

Wild Fans, This Is Just Your Life Now

Journalism, who is a horse, is washed during the morning training for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 30, 2025.

Horse Racing

Are You Sure You Want To Bet On Journalism?

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 24: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets gives up a goal to the St. Louis Blues in the first period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 24, 2025 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Jets Have A Connor Hellebuyck Problem, And The Only Solution Is More Connor Hellebuyck

Josh Hart reacts after the Knicks beat the Pistons in Game 4.