The Distraction

Defector Media is a subscription-based, employee-owned sports and culture media company founded in September 2020 by former Deadspin employees. Headquartered in Manhattan, it operates as a cooperative, with each of its approximately 19 employees holding an equitable stake in the company. Defector Media emphasizes ethical journalism, worker ownership, and humane working conditions, positioning itself as a "journalists’ utopia."

The company offers a subscription-based website that features a mix of sports commentary, political and cultural analysis, and investigative reporting. Defector Media has grown its revenues from $3.2 million in its first year to $4.6 million annually, maintaining profitability without traditional advertising. It has cultivated a loyal audience of around 30,000 paid subscribers who appreciate its critical and humorous takes on sports and related topics. Defector Media also allows its writers and podcasters to retain ownership of their intellectual property, reinforcing its commitment to ethical content creation.