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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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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


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Culture Writer</p>


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

<p>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>.</p>


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.

WNBA

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

Ray Ratto

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

Kathryn Xu

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

Patrick Redford

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)

Podcasts

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”

<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

People in the cinema auditorium with empty white screen.

What Makes A Good Critic?

Politics

Only One Michigan Senate Candidate Knows Puck

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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

Emily Fox (L) of USA in action against Lucia Corrales (17) of Spain

Spain Reminds The USWNT Where They Stand

Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Atletico de Madrid and Manchester United at Estadio Metropolitano on October 13, 2026 in Madrid, Spain.

Manchester United Is Eating Itself Alive

New York Knicks owner James Dolan is interviewed by Ernie Johnson Jr. after his team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Punch Bowl Now More Turd Than Punch

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians reacts after committing an error that scored Victor Mesa Jr. #25 of the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning in game two of the American League Championship Series on October 13, 2026. He does not look happy.

Good Baseball Isn’t Necessarily Beautiful

The Verdict Is In: Bo Nix Stinks

Brian Flores’s Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Reveals Racist Recruiting Memo


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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

Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the New York Jets during the third quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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