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

Ray Ratto

The NFL Has Yet Another Scandal To Eat

There Go The Nets

LeBron James breaks the all-time scoring record

LeBron James Is All That Matters In Los Angeles

There Is No Escape From The Colts’ Coaching Search

Four Brief Proposals For Unclogging The Western Conference

MONTREAL, CANADA - JANUARY 24: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the media prior to the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins at Centre Bell on January 24, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

NHL Ratings Are Not Your Problem

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 23: A general view of Climate Pledge Arena with the center ice logo prior to the Kraken's inaugural home opening game between the Seattle Kraken and the Vancouver Canucks on October 23, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Kraken Will Not Abide Between-Periods Entertainment Being Slightly Mean To Jeff Bezos

Tom Brady looking gaunt at a press conference.

Tom Brady Gets It Over With

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: The Oakland Athletics play against the Texas Rangers in front of nearly empty stands at RingCentral Coliseum on May 26, 2022 in Oakland, California. Attendance at Oakland Athletics baseball games have dwindled to historic lows as the team has traded away fan favorite players and continues to explore moving the team to Las Vegas if they can't reach a deal to build a new stadium near the Port of Oakland. The Athletics have the lowest attendance of all 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) as well as the league's lowest single game attendance for a May 2nd game that only drew 2,488 fans. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The A’s Just Want To Be Wanted

LeBron James Is Next In A Long Line

Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers gives his teammates a hype-up speech before their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Conference Championship.

Someone Woke Up The 49ers Before The Eagles Put Them To Bed

The Hall Of Fame Charts No Course

The NBA Is Good When It’s Goofy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 22: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

How, Indeed, ‘Bout Them Cowboys?

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 14: Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno answers questions during a press conference to introduce Anthony Rendon at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on December 14, 2019 in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Arte Moreno To Continue Disappointing Angels Fans

Journalismism

Gwen Knapp Paid Attention To The Things That Matter

SALERNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Davide Nicola US Salernitana's new coach and Danilo Iervolino US Salernitana president during a press conference on February 16, 2022 in Salerno, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Soccer

You’re Fired, And Just To Show I’m Serious, You’re Rehired

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 1: George Kittle #85, Brock Purdy #13 and Josh Johnson #17 of the San Francisco 49ers in the locker room before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 37-34. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** George Kittle;Brock Purdy;Josh Johnson

A Prayer For Josh Johnson

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal Fiesta Bowl football game against the TCU Horned Frogs at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The TCU Horned Frogs won 51-45. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Bidding Is Now Open On Jim Harbaugh

Inglewood, CA - January 09: Quarterback Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs lights a cigar with teammate wide receiver Luke Bennett #29 of the Georgia Bulldogs after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 65-7 to win the CFP National Championship Football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday, January 9, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

College Football

Sometimes The Statement Matters The Most

Jordan Akins catches a ball for a two-point conversion

The Miracle Texans Screw Themselves Out Of The No. 1 Pick

Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman celebrate a Bruins win

The Bruins Are Kicking Ass In The Preseason

The Titans Are Now Available To Host The AFC Title Game

INDIANAPOLIS - JULY 16: Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts football team on July 16, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

All AFC Roads Lead To Indianapolis, God Help Us

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 09: Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders warms up as Taylor Heinicke #4 looks on before the game against the Tennessee Titans at FedExField on October 9, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)