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

Tom Ley

FRISCO, TX - JULY 04: Fans enjoys a post-game fireworks display over the stadium celebrating the Fourth of July after the MLS game between Inter Miami FC and FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on July 4, 2022 in Frisco, Texas.

Defector Up All Night

Let’s Have A Summer Weekend Open Thread

Irish players pictured at the warm up on the field ahead of a friendly women's soccer game between Belgium's national team the Red Flames and the Republic of Ireland, Sunday 11 April 2021 in Brussels. BELGA PHOTO DAVID CATRY (

Soccer

Ireland Is Ready To Keep Singing At Their First World Cup

The Philippine National Women’s Football Team celebrates after winning the championship match against Thailand for the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines on 17 July 2022.

The Philippines Have A Little Something Going On Here

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 21: Football Ferns player Grace Jale during a New Zealand Football Ferns training session at North Harbour Stadium on June 21, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand Can’t Blow This Chance To Break Its World Cup Losing Streak

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 25: Buck Showalter #11 of the New York Mets and umpire Erich Bacchus #12 speak during the ninth inning of a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Maybe The Mets Are Just Bad

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 13: in Game Five of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NHL Scurries Away From Its Pride Night Problem

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Draft Prospects Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson visit the Empire State Building on June 20th, 2023 in New York City, New New York. 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

What Kind Of Table Are Overtime Elite Twins Amen And Ausar Thompson Going To Use To Accommodate Their Family And Others Of Note During The NBA Draft Tomorrow?

Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez (3) connects to go five for five in the seventh inning during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins on Monday, June 19, 2023 at LoanDepot Part in Miami, Fla.

Luis Arráez Is On .400 Watch

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) follows through as he hits a solo hoe run in the seventh inning of an MLB game between the Los Angeles Angles and Kansas City Royals on June 17, 2023 at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

Shohei Ohtani Is Hammering That Damn Baseball

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly gestures prior to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

What Should We Make Of Chelsea’s Reported Saudi Bailout?

DENVER, CO - JUNE 12: A overall view of the Denver Nuggets team during the post-game celebration during Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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

A Championship Deciphers The Past

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 11: Trinity Rodman #25 of the United States runs for the ball during an international friendly game between Ireland and the USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Trinity Rodman

Life's Rich Pageant

Paul Pierce Traps Kevin Garnett In Grim Men’s Livestream

Steve Clemons screams at a climate activist

Media Meltdowns

Semafor Shithead Screams At Climate Activists

Paul Moller's very first prototype, the M200X, is a sort of vertical-takeoff flying saucer.

Journalismism

It’s Time To Show Ship

The 'Oath of the Tennis Court' painted by Auguste Clouder. The painting commemorates the meeting of the Third Estate in France in which all bar one of the 600 deputies swore an oath not to separate until a constitution had been established, June 20, 1989.

Staff Chat

Come Hurl Your Questions At The Defector Staff

AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 8: Rose Lavelle #16 of the United States dribbles past Megan Connolly #6 of the Republic of Ireland during a game between Ireland and the United States at Q2 Stadium on April 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Rose Lavelle

TORONTO, ON - MAY 30: Anthony Bass #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a statement to the media before playing the Milwaukee Brewers in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on May 30, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Even Anthony Bass’s Own Fans Know He’s A Jerkoff

WNBA

Breanna Stewart Went Home And Conquered

Defector At The Movies

It’s Good When Action Movies Remember To Be A Little Silly

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 17: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

Spencer Strider Is Closing Games As Soon As They Start

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 22: Fans watch the big screens at Ball Arena show the Denver Nuggets playing in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. Denver Nuggets are playing Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles. If the Nuggets win they will clinch a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Take It Easy In The Memorial Day Weekend Open Thread

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks for a call while being guarded by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter during Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Ball Arena on May 09, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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.

Can You Guess The Lone MVP Voter Who Left Nikola Jokic Off His Ballot?

The Nuggets Need Jamal Murray Pulling Face

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 16: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)