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


Chris Thompson

Duane Banks Field, where the Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team plays.

College Baseball

Two More College Athletic Departments Swept Into Online Gambling Troubles


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 24: An Elvis Presley impersonator sings to World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Chairman Vince McMahon during his 64th birthday celebration in the ring during the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Center August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pro Wrestling

How Would Betting On Pro Wrestling Even Work?

Little kids play basketball at The Palestra. Light brown court, red baseline. Purple and white teams, white team kid shooting against a purple team kid, it's a layup

College Basketball

Little Kid Basketball Is The Best Halftime Show

Golf

Phil Mickelson Sure Loves To Gamble, Possibly To His Own Detriment

Patrick Redford

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 11: Former Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez looks on during a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors at Wells Fargo Center on December 11, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Capital

A-Rod Got A Bunch Of Money To Build A “Sports Stock Market” App

Lauren Theisen

Sports Betting Apps Are So Easy To Use It’s Terrifying

A horse track that's all dark except from the reflection from the scoreboard

Horse Racing

The Neigh-t The Lights Went Out

DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Jockey William Buick rides Modern Games after Albahr in the two hole wouldn't load into the starting gate before the start of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Race Track on November 05, 2021 in Del Mar, California.

Breeders’ Cup Fiasco Ruins Bettors’ Friday Night

College Football

I Went To Vegas To See UNLV’s Big Slot Machine

Laura Wagner

Journalismism

The AP Reaches New Level Of Sleaziness With FanDuel Deal

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<div class="gmail_default">Ryan Goldberg is an award-winning journalist and author who has written for <i>Texas Monthly</i>, The Intercept, <i>The</i> <i>New York Times</i>, <i>Popular Science</i>, and ProPublica, among many other publications. Some of his best stories ran in the old Deadspin. He lives in Brooklyn, and leads regular walks for the Brooklyn Bird Club. You can find more of his work at <a href="http://ryangoldberg.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://ryangoldberg.net&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758917926877000&amp;usg=AOvVaw04lh06uBoaa598nfG5ro-G">ryangoldberg.net</a>.</div>
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Ryan Goldberg

Is Horse Racing Still Too Big To Fail?

gambling