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

Patrick Redford

LEVALLOIS-PERRET, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 reacts to a play during the match between Boulogne-Levallois and JDA Dijon at Palais des Sports Marcel Cerdan on February 10, 2023 in Levallois-Perret, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Where Should Victor Wembanyama End Up?

NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 19: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States is marked by Fuka Nagano #8 and Risa Shimizu #2 of Japan during a game between Japan and USWNT at GEODIS Park on February 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Soccer

The USWNT Is Still Coming Together Slowly

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons in the second half at American Airlines Center on January 30, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 111-105. 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 Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Best Not To Provoke Luka Doncic

Boston, MA - January 28: Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James falls to his knees in frustration after the final play of regulation. The Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics, 125-121, in overtime. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

There’s No Sense In The Lakers Crying Over The Unavoidable

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich coaches during the Tennessee Titans game versus the Indianapolis Colts on October 23, 2022, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire)

Steve Wilks, Lawyers Express Disappointment With Panthers Hiring Frank Reich

A slapper celebrates after knocking out his opponent.

The Fights

Dana White’s ‘Power Slap’ Is An Abomination

Hawaiian surfer Mark Healy rides a wave during The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surfing contest on January 22, 2023, at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Brian Bielmann / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Great Outdoors

Local Lifeguard Wins Big-Wave Surfing’s Most Prestigious Competition

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring the 2nd Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal Is Halfway Home

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Mike McCarthy On Hilarious Final Play: That Wasn’t What We Meant To Do

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 18, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

No Matter Where The Kings Go, The Beam Goes With Them

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 18: Mallory Swanson of USA celebrates after scoring a goal during the International friendly fixture match between the New Zealand Football Ferns and the United States at Sky Stadium on January 18, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Mallory Swanson Nudges The USWNT Back On Track

LeBron James Still Rules

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers walks off the field after a win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Brandon Staley’s Ass Is Precariously Close To The Jackpot

Dana White speaks to the media at the UFC Vegas 67 media day for the first time since he was caught slapping is wife on New Years Eve. January 11, 2023, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dana White Says His Punishment For Hitting His Wife Is Being Dana White

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 5: Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., walks through the House chamber before the start of the 7th failed attempt to elect a speaker in the Capitol on Thursday, January 5, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Politics

George Santos Claimed To Be A Volleyball Star At College He Never Attended

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 06: Cameron Payne #15 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns react on the bench during the final moments of the NBA game against the Miami Heat at Footprint Center on January 06, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Heat defeated the Suns 104-96. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Everything Suddenly Feels Quite Grim In Phoenix

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 9: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks plays defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game on December 9, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Why Are So Many NBA Players Putting Up 40 This Year?

Media Meltdowns

Why Coverage Of Dana White Slapping His Wife Has Been So Disastrous

Gregg Berhalter, Head Coach of United States, gives instruction to Giovanni Reyna during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Report: Reyna Family Gave U.S. Soccer Details About Gregg Berhalter’s 1991 Domestic Violence Incident

Dana White arguing with his wife Anne at a club in Cabo San Lucas.

Dana White, Who Once Said “You Don’t Bounce Back From Putting Your Hands On A Woman,” Hits His Wife At A Club

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 3: Greg Berhalter of the United States lines up for the national anthem before a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USMNT at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Gregg Berhalter, U.S. Soccer Release Statements About Alleged Blackmail Plot Over 1991 Domestic Violence Incident

Ayo Dosunmu #12 of the Chicago Bulls reacts as he scores the game-winning basket as time expires in their 110-108 win over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 21, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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.

Stupid, Hilarious Loss Perfectly Sums Up Joyless Hawks Season

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 20: Jalen Brunson #11, RJ Barrett #9 and Quentin Grimes #6 of the New York Knicks celebrate a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2022 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)