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Defector

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kaila Charles #6 and Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries reach for a rebound against Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream during the third quarter in game four of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena on October 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

WNBA

The Valkyries Believe In Second Chances

Ray Ratto

Baylor Football head coach Dave Aranda adjusts his headset on the sideline during a game against the Kansas Jayhawks in October 2026.

College Football

Scapegoat Season Has Arrived For College Football

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Aaron Ashby pitching on the mound during game 2 of the 2026 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Aaron Ashby Has Put The Brewers In Control

Culture Writer

Israel Daramola

Aaron Philo #12 of the Florida Gators and Daniel Pierre Louis #73 celebrate after defeating the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Now Is The Time For Hysteria

Samer Kalaf

James Dolan at the Knicks' championship ceremony

James Dolan Finds Innovative New Way To Be Cruel And Cheap

Detailed look at the mask worn by Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets April 4, 2026.

The Connor Hellebuyck Showdown Is About To Get Expensive For The Jets

Rhyne Howard #10 of the Atlanta Dream steals the ball from Laeticia Amihere #3 of the Golden State Valkyries during the first half at Chase Center on June 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

These WNBA Finals Are Made Of Steal

Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the seventh inning during Game Six of the American League Championship Series. He's got his hand up to his ear.

Here Comes The Fun Part

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 Cool Night

Harry Krinsky is a producer and media consultant living in Brooklyn. He is the cohost of <a href="https://defector.com/tag/nothing-but-respect">Nothing But Respect</a>.

Harry Krinsky

Giri Nathan

Defector’s Completely Decentralized NBA Season Preview Has Now Been Recentralized

Guard Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reqacts after a foul by forward Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors as guard Brandon Williams #12 of the Golden State Warriors tries seperate in the first half of a NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Basketball Game Interrupts Shit-Talk Session Between Luka Doncic And Yaxel Lendeborg

Barry Petchesky

OTTAWA, Canada - OCTOBER 21: Brady Tkachuk #8 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his first period goal against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on October 21, 2026 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Ottawa Vs. Brady Tkachuk Was Fantastic Theater

Tom Ley

The Dream Are Making Bully Ball Literal

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 13: Jordan Elliott #95 of the Tennessee Titans walks to the locker room after a preseason NFL game on August 13, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Robert Saleh Says Jordan Elliott Needs Help, Not Condemnation

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

Podcasts

A Review Of All The Stuff That Happened Last NBA Season

How The Rams Being 2-4 Relates To The Troy Aikman Saga

<div>Corban Goble is a writer based in New Orleans. He writes the Kansas Jayhawks basketball newsletter <a href="https://buttondown.com/streaktalk" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://buttondown.com/streaktalk&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1792591500521000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZZVLbxl-W6fPpdIGBSM2H">Streak Talk</a>.</div>

Corban Goble

The Pelicans Broke How I Understand Pro Basketball

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Members of the Cleveland Guardians look on from the dugout during Game Six of the American League Championship Series.

The Guardians Were And Are A Drag

Alex Sujong Laughlin

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

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)

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

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

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)

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