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

Life's Rich Pageant

Chicago Guy Rescued After Quarter-Mile Stroll Onto Frozen Lake Michigan

ST. PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 02: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Honduras in the second half of a World Cup Qualifying game at Allianz Field on February 2, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The United States defeated Honduras 3-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Soccer

USMNT Thrives In Torture Chamber Of Its Own Making

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 05: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on before the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on December 5, 2021 in Houston, 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. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

Brandon Ingram Learns Harsh Lesson About The Limits Of Friendship

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins looks on during before the game against the Houston Texans at Hard Rock Stadium on November 07, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Brian Flores Sues NFL For Racial Discrimination

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 28: Mike Conley #11 of the Utah Jazz reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on January 28, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The Jazz Are In A World Of Pain

COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 27: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States makes a corner kick in the second half during the World Cup qualifying game against El Salvador at Lower.com Field on January 27, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

USMNT Wins Procedurally Generated World Cup Qualifier

Fifa President Gianni Infantino speaks at Jerusalem Post's annual conference on October 12, 2021 in Jerusalem, Israel. The conference featured officials, diplomats and business leaders discussing the health, economic and security challenges facing Israel

FIFA President: The Transcendent Power Of The World Cup Will Keep Refugees From Drowning

Colombia's Egan Bernal, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey rides during the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysees, in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Cycling

Tour de France Champion Egan Bernal Survives Horrific Crash During Training

COMMERCE CITY, CO - MARCH 22: Fans of the United States national team cheer, wave a flag, and sing as snow falls during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier match between Costa Rica and United States at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on March 22, 2013 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

There’s No Good Reason To Send The USMNT Into The Freezing North

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Zack Steffen of Manchester City celebrates after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Zack Steffen

David Aleksander Toska, the alleged leader of a group who allegedly carried out an April 5, 2004 raid in central Stavanger on a branch of Norway's central cash service from which they stole 58 million kroner (7.1 million euros, 9.1 million dollars), appears in court in Stavanger 04 September 2006.

Chess

Norway’s Most Successful Bank Robber Now Also Norway’s Most Controversial Chess Analyst

Chamath speaks onstage during the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 19, 2016 in San Francisco, California.

Capital

Chamath Palihapitiya’s Whole Game Is Being A Loudmouth

USA's forward Paul Arriola (R) points to forward Daryl Dike (L) after an opportunity during the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal football match between USA and Jamaica at the AT&amp;T stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Andy JACOBSOHN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY JACOBSOHN/AFP via Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Daryl Dike

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Neemias Queta #23 of the Utah State Aggies reacts to their 61-78 loss to the Washington Huskies in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Time Zones And DNPs Can’t Keep Portuguese Fans From Celebrating Their Country’s First NBA Player

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors standing with his eyes closed during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of his game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center on January 09, 2022 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Klay Thompson Is Once Again A Basketball Player

The nocini back in June, when I could still open all the jars.

Chefector

Nocino Report: Defeated By Walnuts

Members of the local Serbian community gather for a vigil outside a hotel where Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic is reported to be staying in Melbourne on January 6, 2022, after Australia said it had cancelled Djokovic's entry visa after having failed to "provide appropriate evidence" of double vaccination or a medical exemption. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Tennis

Detained Novak Djokovic Is Jesus And Spartacus All Rolled Into One, According To Novak Djokovic’s Father

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during the Davis Cup semi final against Marin Cilic of Croatia at Madrid Arena on December 03, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic Tried To Enter Australia Without Being Vaccinated And Now It’s A Big Mess [Update: Entry Denied]

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 27, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Grizzlies defeated the Suns 114-113. 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)

Ja Morant Is The Only NBA Player

Alan Dershowitz leaping into his defense of Alan Dershowitz

Media Meltdowns

BBC Very Sorry For Inviting An Accused Epstein Collaborator On To Talk About Ghislaine Maxwell

Allen and Payne just before they got into it.

WFT Reaches The “Fighting On Sidelines” Stage Of Their Tailspin

Barcelona's US defender Sergino Dest controls the ball during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 30, 2021. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sergiño Dest Is Probably Moving On Up From Barcelona And It Feels Terrible

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks on the field, masked prior to the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at AT&amp;T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

College Football

The New College Football Playoff Protocols Leave Zero Wiggle Room

Ganymede Global Geologic Map and Global Image Mosaic

Science

NASA Would Like You To Check Out These Spooky Space Noises

Iranian chess prodigy Alireza Firouzja (L), 17-years-old, plays against Norwegian chess grandmaster who is the current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, 30-years-old, in the first round of the international chess tournament TataSteel Chess Tournament 2021 in Wijk aan Zee on January 16, 2021. (Photo by Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by REMKO DE WAAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)