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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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Samer Kalaf

The Machines

Is This Guy Who Uses AI To Run His Fantasy Football Team The Biggest Loser In The World?

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

A Blue Wave Won’t Mean Shit If The Chumps Get Their Way

David Roth

The Oriole Bird, mascot of the Baltimore Orioles, runs onto the field before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 1, 2026.

What Process Are The Orioles Trusting?

Kathryn Xu

Victor Mesa Jr. #25 of the Tampa Bay Rays is unable to make a catch as fans interfere on a ball hit by Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees.

What Is Wrong With Yankees Fans?

Tom Ley

Ted Cruz speaks at a press conference about the PCSA

Interviews

An Antitrust Expert Makes The Comprehensive Case Against The Protect College Sports Act

WNBA

Somebody Fucked Up

Lauren Theisen

Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings is voted the games number one star after beating the Ottawa Senators 5-3

Dylan Larkin And The Red Wings Are Having Agonizing Breakup Sex On Live TV

Podcasts

The TV People Are Talking About Deshaun Watson All Wrong

Ray Ratto

Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after scoring in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during game three of the National League Division Series in San Diego on October 6, 2026.

Padres-Brewers Has Been The Best Of October Baseball

Luis Paez-Pumar

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo sits on the bench ahead the UEFA Nations League Group A4 football match between Norway and Portugal in Oslo on September 27, 2026.

Cristiano Ronaldo Has Lost His Damn Mind

Barry Petchesky

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on September 29, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

Must Every Leafy Thing Be So Freighted With Meaning? Yes, Yes It Must

Giri Nathan

Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Aliyah Boston #7 of the Indiana Fever in the second quarter of Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs

Christine Brennan Has Fully Lost It Over Caitlin Clark

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

Diana Moskovitz

Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.

“I Got Friends That Will Hurt Her”: Court Documents Describe Audio Recordings And Video Footage Tyreek Hill Wants Kept Out Of His Divorce Trial

Jonny DeLuca of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates a double as Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees looks on during the second inning in game two of the American League Division Series.

The Yankees Look Meek And Flubby

A general view of the Arizona State Sun Devils logo

College Hockey

Will Matthew Mayich’s Collapse Change Anything?

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

LeBron James dressed in Philly gear at a preseason NBA game.

LeBron James Is Commuting In A Fanatics Helicopter

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrate with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and the Bob Cousy Trophy during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)

Knicks And Nets Give Me High Fives, With Hell Gate

Sean Burke #59 of the Chicago White Sox looks on during Game Two of the American League Division Series.

White Sox Touched By God, Or Perhaps Merely Joyful Exuberance

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Angel Reese #5 defends as DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Atlanta Dream steals the ball from Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty during the fourth quarter of game one of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs at State Farm Arena on October 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Atlanta Dream Can Poke And Prod You To Death

Culture Writer

Israel Daramola

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Bank of America Stadium on October 4, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Patience Is Paying Off For Bryce Young

Didier Fuentes of the Atlanta Braves reacts to a play during Game Two of the National League Division Series. Positively, at that. He's in profile, pumping his fist.

Atlanta’s Least Heralded Relievers Did The Most

Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.

Hamilton Nolan

Jaguars Junction: Week 4

Kaitlyn Chen (2) blocks a shot by Mai Yamamoto (18) in the second half as the Golden State Valkyries played the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA playoffs semifinals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.

The Valkyries Are Fighting Firepower With Frenzy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 04: A distraught Eagles fan is shown in fourth quarter during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams on October 4th, 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)