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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

<p>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 <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

ESPN's College GameDay show on the quad at LSU, with Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Lainey Wilson, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, and Pat McAfee

College Football

This Is So Fucking Embarrassing

Israel Daramola

Ray Ratto

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 5: Lane Kiffin of the LSU Tigers walks down victory hill prior to a game against the Clemson Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 5, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lane Kiffin And ESPN Are Both Shilling For Their Agendas

Barry Petchesky

Russian Alexander Ovechkin talks to media in a locker room after the charity hockey "Match of the Year" between Russian players of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) at the CSKA arena in Moscow on July 13, 2025. (Photo by TATYANA MAKEYEVA / AFP via Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin Finally Faces Some Pushback For Supporting Vladimir Putin

Tom Ley

Josh Allen pats Aidan Hutchinson on the helmet after their game

The Lions’ Defense Is Dyin’ Out There

Patrick Redford

CHESTER, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan #6 is shown before the game between the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati on September 9th, 2026 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cavan Sullivan And The USMNT’s Future Are Here


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels look on prior to a game against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on October 31, 2025 in Syracuse, New York.

Steve Belichick Is Gone From UNC

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Rory Dames’s SafeSport Suspension Has Ended

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 28: Head coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 134-109. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Zoomer Cultural Exchange Hour, With ‘State Of The League’

Everybody Hates Bob Kraft

There’s Always More Angry Problem Gamblers Where Those Came From

Cleveland Guardians center fielder Petey Halpin (0) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run during the third inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians on September 16, 2026.

There’s Nothing Like September In The American League

<p>Lesley Ryder is a writer and a host covering the Chicago Red Stars. She co-created <a href="https://galpalsports.com/">Gal Pal Sports</a>, a platform that lives to make women’s sports fun for everyone.</p>


Lesley Ryder

A detailed view of a Nike NWSL ball prior to the NWSL match between Angel City FC and Gotham FC at BMO Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

NWSL

Docs: NWSL Received Eight Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment, Or Retaliation Complaints This Year

Luis Paez-Pumar

Omar Marmoush of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 12, 2026 in London, England.

Tottenham’s Revamped Attack Is An Overpriced Calamity

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 15: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a solo home run in the ninth inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Pete Alonso Has Mets Fans Down Bad

Toward A Proper Definition Of “Overrated”

<p><span class="il">Frankie</span> de la Cretaz is an award-winning independent journalist whose work sits at the intersection of sports and gender. They are the co-author of <em>Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women’s Football League</em>, and their writing has been featured in the <em>New York Times</em>, <em>Sports Illustrated</em>, and many more publications.</p>


Frankie de la Cretaz

An illustration showing a silhouette of a player in a Miami Sol jersey being grabbed by two silhouette of men in suits

WNBA

The Miami Sol’s Needless Demise Provided A Familiar Lesson

Giri Nathan

<p>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.</p>


Owen Lewis

Kathryn Xu

Elena Rybakina R of Kazakhstan celebrates during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles final match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

The Defector Tennis Desk Takes Stock Of The U.S. Open

Media Meltdowns

Arch Manning, Room Full Of Dipshits, Snicker About AI Video Of Steve Sarkisian Slapping Holly Rowe

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

LeBron James smiles and gestures from the stage of some dumb event.

Life's Rich Pageant

LeBron James Wants Your Paycheck To Become His Paycheck, By Way Of Polymarket

An AI-generated map of the united states that has incorrect borders and puts Detroit in Canada.

The Jets May Want To Reconsider Being “AI-First”

Kelsey McKinney

Macklemore in a green fur coat poses on stage.

Arts And Culture

Robert Kraft Now Decides Who Tours With Ed Sheeran

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates with the trophy after defeating Ben Shelton of the United States in their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The U.S. Open Men’s Final Changed Nothing

Dave McKenna

Ryan Garcia punches Conor Benn while Benn is on the ropes

Boxing

Conor Benn Wasn’t Ready For Ryan Garcia

Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks on after losing to the Minnesota Vikings 39-22 at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Something Is Wrong With The Green Bay Packers

Enzo Fernandez of Manchester City, Harry Maguire of Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United wait for Referee Michael Oliver to reveal the VAR decision for the goal scored by Erling Haaland of Manchester City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England.

Sports