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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

Tom Ley

College Football

Jayden Daniels Won’t Tolerate Some Scrub Wearing The Same Number He Did On His Journey To The ReliaQuest Bowl

Giri Nathan

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks after a steal against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook Was Total

Patrick Redford

Russell Westbrook when he was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Russell Westbrook Was Singular

Matt Ufford is the head of video and audio at Yahoo Sports.

Matt Ufford

Adonai Mitchell fumbles the ball out of the endzone

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Indianapolis Colts

David Roth

Craig Kimbrel of the Tampa Bay Rays prepares to throw against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on June 20, 2026.

Craig Kimbrel Can’t Quit

Ray Ratto

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?

Adam Silver, Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger are seen at Day 10 of the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2025 in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York City. (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images) *** Local Caption ***Adam Silver;Joshua Kushner;Bob Iger

Lakers Owner Mark Walter Suddenly Sells Team Amid Federal Investigation

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever reacts to DiJonai Carrington #7 of the Chicago Sky foul during the first half on August 8, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Podcasts

Trans Rights And Lesbian Lefts, With Maya Goldberg-Safir

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.

Drew Magary

Todd Bowles and Jon Gruden talk at training camp

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, n+1, Texas Monthly, Air Mail, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Interviews

‘The Cruelest Game’ Examines Tennis As Torture

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Baltimore Ravens

Kathryn Xu

Umpires explain a rule review to manager John Schneider of the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning of their MLB game against the Boston Red Sox.

Red Sox Stumble Into Rules Review Hell, Emerge With Inconsequential Run

Billy Haisley

Former player Ashley Cole of England and Fabrizio Romano are seen at the Heineken booth during the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 in Budapest, Hungary.

While Wearing An Orange Wig And A Big Red Foam Nose, Fabrizio Romano Insists He’s Not A Clown

NICE, FRANCE - AUGUST 09: Demi Vollering of Netherlands and Team FDJ United - SUEZ - Yellow Leader Jersey celebrates at finish line as stage and final overall race winner during the 5th Tour de France Femmes 2026, Stage 9 a 99.2km stage from Nice to Nice / #UCIWWT / on August 09, 2026 in Nice, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

The Tour de France Femmes Was A Contentious,  Hypercompetitive Classic

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kayla McBride #21 of the Minnesota Lynx celebrates a three-point basket with Napheesa Collier #24 and teammates during the second half against the Dallas Wings at Target Center on August 9, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WNBA

Kayla McBride Keeps It Ethical

FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA - MAY 27: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons runs through drills alongside Tua Tagovailoa #1 as head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during OTA’s at IBM Performance Field on May 27, 2026 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Penix Jr.; Tua Tagovailoa; Kevin Stefanski

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Atlanta Falcons

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

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

a still of ESPN reporter Lindsey Thiry batting away a big bug

What Big Bug “Attacked” An ESPN Reporter At Rams Camp?

Samer Kalaf

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever is fouled by DiJonai Carrington #7 of the Chicago Sky during the first half

Sophie Cunningham Has Quite A Journey To Get Back To Basketball

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Dallas Cowboys

LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets attends a 2025 NBA Summer League game

Let’s Unpack LaMelo Ball’s Sugary Abode

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

Chelsea Gray celebrates her game-winning three-pointer

Chelsea Gray Punished Caitlin Clark’s Mistakes

Cotie McMahon #23 of the Washington Mystics celebrates with teammates after the game against the Dallas Wings at CareFirst Arena on August 5, 2026 in Washington, DC.

The Washington Mystics Don’t Act Their Age

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Miami Heat speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

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