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Defector

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Podcasts

Mana Shim Walked Away From Soccer, Then She Rebuilt Her Life

Patrick Redford

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Golden State Valkyries during the fourth quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 19, 2026 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

WNBA

Angel Reese Crafted Her Masterpiece

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

In this photo illustration, a Polymarket logo is seen displayed on a smartphone on the top of a laptop.

Polymarket Was Allowing Bets On  Sexual Assault Cases Until People Started Asking Questions

Ray Ratto

Mike Evans of the San Francisco 49ers sits on the ground after an injury against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 19, 2026.

Some Wins Feel More Like Losses

Kathryn Xu

Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Guardians in game six of the American League Championship Series

Rays Clinch Ultimate Thrifter World Series

Former Indianapolis Colts player Peyton Manning looks on prior to the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts during the game on September 7, 2026. He kind of looks like Tom Wambsgans.

Sometimes A Team Just Wants To Hire A Famous Guy

Barry Petchesky

CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 18: Devin Cooley #1 of the Calgary Flames warms up prior to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 18, 2026 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Terence Leung/NHLI via Getty Images)

World’s Most Normal Goalie: “The Past Is Dead, There’s Nothing For You There”

Giri Nathan

Ben Simmons #25 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a picture during the Kings Media Day at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California.

Tiny Flame Of Joy Extinguished In Sacramento

Culture Writer

Israel Daramola

Miami Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (3) intercepts a FSU pass to the end zone in overtime to end the game during a college football game between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles on October 17, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

College Football

It Took A Lot Of Underachieving To Get Miami At No. 1

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jalen Hurts of Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the NFL match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

Jalen Hurts Is Out For The Season, And The Eagles Have A Lot Of Questions To Answer [Update]

Dave McKenna

Nobody’s Having More Fun Than Sebastian Fundora

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

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts during the NFL London Series match between Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Jaguars Junction: Week 6

Tom Ley

The Chargers Can Fire Mike McDaniel, But Then What?

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries attempts a lay up against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the second quarter in game one of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 17, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

In Game 1, The Dream And The Valkyries Tried To See How Gross They Could Get

Lauren Theisen

BYU fans watch with anticipation on the last play of the game to see an incomplete pass from Notre Dame

What’s The Point Of All These Reviews?

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, participates in a discussion on “Technology, Piracy, and Artificial Intelligence in Sports” during the ISDE Sports Convention at the Official College of Architects of Madrid on May 21, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

La Liga President Says Real Madrid Is Moving Like Joseph Goebbels

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: A detailed view of the National Championship trophy prior to a game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&amp;T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

The CFP Is Expanding For The Same Reason The PCSA Is Gaining Momentum

Mike Elko of the Texas A&amp;M Aggies prepare to lead his team onto the field before an SEC football game between the Texas A&amp;M Aggies and Missouri Tigers on Oct 10, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO.

Do Not Rage At Your Most Online Fans

Aaron Ashby of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in game one of the National League Championship Series.

Smart Can Win

Nate Rogers

A black and white image of the concrete murals outside Dodger Stadium, taken in the 1960s.

The Secret History Of Dodger Stadium’s Mysterious Concrete Murals

Jake Bauers #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a two run Home Run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s Jake Bauerses All The Way Down

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 09: Kaitlyn Chen #2 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Aces in Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The World’s Only WNBA Finals Preview, With Maitreyi Anantharaman And Maya Goldberg-Safir

Michael Porter Jr. Again Stands Athwart History, Saying “Damn, That’s Crazy”

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.