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

Things Just Got Interesting In The Granato-Ferraro Household

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: Damian Lillard #0 and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers react during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Moda Center on October 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

It’s The End Of Something In Portland

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 03: National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, Rob Manfred, executive vice president of labor and human resources in the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, Major League Baseball, NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, Michael Weiner, general counsel for the Major League Baseball Players Association, Travis Tygart, CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Gabriel Feldman, associate professor of law and director of the Sports Law Program at Tulane University Law School, and Jeffrey Standen, professor of law at the Willamette University College of Law (L-R), testify on Capitol Hill on November 3, 2009 in Washington, DC. The hearing focused on doping in professional sports.(Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roger Goodell; Rob Manfred; DeMaurice Smith; Michael Weiner; Travis Tygart; Gabriel Feldman; Jeffrey Standen

Capital

Why Do We Need Commissioners Anyway?

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell looks on before the Las Vegas Raiders play against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 4, 2021 in Inglewood, California.

Roger Goodell Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Reaffirms His Unwavering Commitment To Sending Out New Memos About The Failures Of All His Old Memos

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 22: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks on the field before the start of the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Cool League You’ve Got There

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 30: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field after being defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Jimmy Garoppolo Era Satisfied Nobody

The Bengals Have Their Own Story To Tell

Jim Harbaugh’s Time Will Come Eventually

Not Even Tom Brady Could Play Forever

Fans watch from behind an extra sheet of plexy-glass, designed for greater protection, during the first period of the NHL game between the St. Louis Blues and the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on February 15, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The stands are mostly empty.

The Arizona Coyotes Consider Disappearing Before Our Very Eyes

A Spalding ball sits on the court during the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Houston Rockets at Philips Arena on November 20, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Some Basketball You Don’t Need To See To Comprehend

TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: Barry Bonds attends the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on June 13, 2021 in Tarrytown, New York. Spectators are not allowed to attend this year, apart from dog owners and handlers, because of safety protocols due to Covid-19. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

To Hell With It All

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 17: Brett Kulak #77, Alexander Romanov #27 and Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens skate off the ice following the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on January 17, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

How To Go First-To-Worst

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors runs around his teammates during player introductions before their game against the Detroit Pistons at Chase Center on January 18, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Steph Curry Is Looking Depressingly Human

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 23: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field after being defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs 42-36 in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

The Six Stages Of NFL Quarterback

Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg greets baseball fans as they arrive for the first game of the season on Opening Day before the start of a game between the Rays and the New York Yankees on April 2, 2017 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Rays’ Montreal Gambit Is Dead

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Michael Dogbe #91 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field after losing to the Los Angeles Rams 34-11 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at SoFi Stadium on January 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Never Trust The Cardinals

It Is Time To Acknowledge The Panthers

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 01: Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis laughs while talking to Raiders general manager Mike Mayock during pregame warmups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Mike Mayock Couldn’t Shed The Gruden Stink

A snow plow clears the field of snow before the start of a game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York.

The Best Football Is Tundra Football

Devin Booker Had The Raptor Sent To Time Out

3 Apr 2000: Jeff Kent # 21 of the San Francisco Giants lies on his stomach after being tagged out at third base in the second inning at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Florida.

A Jeff Kent–Only HOF Ballot Really Puts Things In Perspective

Sean McVay Shouldn’t Be So Surprised

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Interim head coach/special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia of the Las Vegas Raiders smiles as the team warms up before their game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 35-32 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Case For Rich Bisaccia

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos walks the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)