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

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm blocks a shot by Elizabeth Williams #1 of the Chicago Sky during the second half at Wintrust Arena on July 24, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

WNBA

Dominique Malonga Gets It Done In Small Doses

Brittney Sykes #15 of the Washington Mystics holds a "Pay the Players" sign following the 2025 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WNBA Players Want To Share In The League’s “Hypergrowth”

North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the crowd during a basketball game against the La Salle Explorers on December 14, 2024 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 93-67.

Crosswords

The Crossword, July 21: One By One

Bill Veeck holds up a sign to the crowd so they can manage the baseball game

Bills Week

Bill Veeck’s Goofy, Gag-Filled Baseball Book Was Ahead Of Its Time

Jermaine Johnson #52 of the New York Jets blocks a punt from Sam Martin #8 of the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York.

The Crossword, July 14: Quarterback Scramble

Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever talks to the media during a press conference before the match-up against the Brazil National Team, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 4, 2025 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Christine Brennan’s Caitlin Clark Book Is More About Gripes Than Greatness

Summer McIntosh is interviewed by NBC Sports Nicole Auerbach after winning the Women's 400 Meter Individual Medley Final on Day 3 of the TYR Pro Swim Series Westmont at FMC Natatorium on March 07, 2025 in Westmont, Illinois

The Crossword, July 7: Tennis, Anyone?

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks to the crowd before the game between the Washington Mystics and the Minnesota Lynx at Carefirst Arena on June 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The WNBA And Its Expansion Fees Are Getting Bigger

Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as the the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in game 5 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

The Crossword, June 30: My Girls (Themeless)

Jackie Young #0 and Jewell Loyd #24 of the Las Vegas Aces talk as they wait for an Indiana Fever player to shoot a free throw in the fourth quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on June 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Fever 89-81.

Can You Count Out The Aces?

Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk to their head coach Darvin Ham during their game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2024 in New York City.

The Crossword, June 23: Lines Of Business

The grounds crew covers the field with a tarp during a thunderstorm in the bottom of the ninth inning of game two of a doubleheader that is tied at 4-4 between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park on June 19, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

Take Me Out Of The Ballpark

Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase (left) talks with guard Carla Leite (right) during the second quarter of a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at College Park Center in Arlington, TX.

The WNBA Had Too Much Going On Last Night

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Crossword, June 16: Swing Both Ways

Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after defeating the New York Yankees in a shutout to sweep the series at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Red Sox Fans Chopped Up And Cooked On The Hot Stove

Isabelle Harrison #21 of the New York Liberty goes to the basket as Michaela Onyenwere #12, Angel Reese #5, and Kamilla Cardoso #10 of the Chicago Sky defend during the second half at Barclays Center on June 10, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Liberty won 85-66.

Yes, The Sky Is Falling For The Sky

Skylar Diggins #4 of the Seattle Storm reacts during the third quarter of a 2025 Commissioner's Cup game against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on June 01, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

The Crossword, June 9: Yes, Chef!

The Dallas Wings bench reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 3, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

All The Dallas Wings Have Left Is A Prayer

Commentator and former NFL player Tom Brady (C) reacts on the field prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Crossword, June 2: Can You Dig It?

Kathryn Westbeld #24 (L) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with Alyssa Thomas #25 after defeating the Chicago Sky 94-89 in the WNBA game at PHX Arena on May 27, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Mercury Are Getting Plenty Of Help From Their Intriguing Randos

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers reacts to a play against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The Crossword, May 26: Ball Don’t Lie (Themeless)

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) drives past Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) and goes in for two during a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever on May 24, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

Natasha Cloud Is A Kid In New York’s Candy Store

Pitcher Walker Buehler #0 of the Boston Red Sox shouts at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook after a pitch he thought was a strike was called a ball, as Carlos Narváez #75 holds him back during the second inning against the New York Mets at Fenway Park on May 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. Buehler was thrown out of the game by Estabrook.

Walker Buehler Gets Tossed Early, Posts Through It Late

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes seen in action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ohio Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio

The Crossword, May 19: Squared Away

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and Napheesa Collier #24 talk with referee Tim Greene after a foul call in the fourth quarter against the New York Liberty during Game Five of the WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 20, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in overtime to win the championship.