CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Dave McKenna

Politics

Famously Undiplomatic Britt McHenry Banished From Ballgame, State Department

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Fans react to Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream celebrating in the final seconds of their 92-82 win over the New York Liberty in game one of the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs at State Farm Arena on October 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

WNBA

WNBA Moves Potential Title-Clinching Finals Game To Lunchtime

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Golf

LIV Golf Given A Few More Days To Climb Out Of The Grave

Ray Ratto

Coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets during the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.

Nobody Fails Like The New York Jets

Italy's Jannik Sinner slips on the ground as he returns to Germany's Alexander Zverev during their men's singles final tennis match on the fourteenth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2026

Crosswords

The Crossword, Oct. 26: Putting Out Fires (Themeless)

Annie Berke

Arts And Culture

Is Less Bad Still Good Enough?

Tom Ley

Leave It To The Browns To Ruin The Post-Win Locker Room Video

Luis Paez-Pumar

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.

Soccer

Real Madrid Isn’t Dead Just Yet

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.

The Valkyries Believe In Second Chances

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

Alex Sujong Laughlin

1950s woman at work. A young woman is standing on a ladder in an archive with shelfes filled with folders containing documents.

Life Lessons

How Can I Hang On To My Digital Life?

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Catapult Elizabeth Koch Into The Sun

Paul's flatbreads, shown at the start of the technical challenge.

Food

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Fails To Rise For Bread Week

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rubs his eye

Science

The U.S.-Funded Plan To Kill Infants In Africa By Withholding Vaccines Has Been Thwarted

Brandy Jensen

Martin Mull Was A Good Painter And A Great Documentary Subject

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.