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Defector

Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 5: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump on stage during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Soccer

The State Of Sportswashing

Luis Paez-Pumar

Football journalist Fabrizio Romano during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Internazionale Milano at BayArena on December 10, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany.

Why Is Soccer’s Most Famous Scoopster Doing PR Work For Saudi Arabia?

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

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Fox Sports commentator and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady smiles prior to an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Funbag

What’s A Dollar Really Worth To These Ghouls?

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for a photo with Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, after being awarded the trophy following victory in his Men's Singles Final match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain

Tennis

Saudi Arabia Got What It Wanted From The Six Kings Slam

Tyson Fury (third left) and Oleksandr Usyk (third right) pose alongside promoter Frank Warren (fourth left), actor Sylvester Stallone (centre) and The Saudi Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment Turki Alalshikh during a press conference at Outernet London.

The Fights

Don’t Expect Much Resistance To A Saudi Boxing Takeover

Billy Haisley

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, poses for a photo with the Premier League title trophy following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City Is Power

Tom Ley

Deshaun Watson wearing traditional Saudi clothing.

NFL’s Preeminent Creep Now Trying To Lure League To Saudi Arabia

The official Manchester City club badge on a cornerflag ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton FC at Etihad Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom.