Today's NYT Connections Sports Edition Puzzle #660 (July 15, 2025) serves up 16 words that span the wide world of sports — but grouping them into four categories is far trickier than it looks. Rather than revealing the answers directly, this guide breaks down the definitions, origins, and multiple meanings of every word on today's board. Understanding what each word truly means — and the surprising ways it can be interpreted — is your best path to solving the puzzle.
Looking for the complete solution instead? If you'd rather skip straight to the answers, check out our NYT Connections Sports Puzzle #660 — Complete Answers. For daily hints and strategies, visit our NYT Connections Sports Hints Today page.
How to Use This Guide
The NYT Connections Sports Edition challenges you to sort 16 sports-related words into four groups of four, based on a shared theme. The challenge lies in the fact that many words carry multiple meanings — and the puzzle deliberately exploits this ambiguity. Some connections are obvious, while others require you to think about hidden patterns, wordplay, or associations that go beyond surface-level sports knowledge. Study the definitions below carefully, and you'll begin to spot the threads that tie four words together.
All 16 Words in Today's NYT Connections Sports Edition — Defined
Here is every word appearing in today's puzzle, along with its most relevant definitions and contextual uses. We've organized them alphabetically for easy reference.
Breakup
A breakup is the act of separating, dividing, or ending a relationship. In everyday language, it most commonly refers to the end of a romantic partnership — "they went through a breakup." In a broader sense, it can mean the dissolution of any organization, alliance, or entity (the breakup of a company, the breakup of a political coalition). In American football, a breakup has a very specific meaning: a pass breakup occurs when a defensive player knocks the ball away from the intended receiver, preventing a completion without making an interception. Pass breakups are a key defensive statistic tracked in the NFL. The term conveys the idea of disrupting or breaking apart an intended connection.
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the designated area where relief pitchers warm up before entering the game. It is typically located beyond the outfield fence or along the foul lines. The term "bullpen" also refers collectively to a team's group of relief pitchers — "they have a strong bullpen." Outside of baseball, a bullpen can mean a large, open workspace or holding area. The word itself is a compound: it combines "bull" — the adult male bovine animal — with "pen", an enclosure. The exact origin of the baseball term is debated, but one theory links it to early Bull Durham tobacco advertisements on outfield fences near where pitchers warmed up.
Crowd
A crowd is a large group of people gathered together, often in a public place. In sports, the crowd refers to the spectators and fans filling a stadium — "the crowd went wild after the goal." Crowds at sporting events create atmosphere through chanting, cheering, and collective energy. Beyond sports, "crowd" functions as a verb meaning to press closely together or to encroach on someone's space. Interestingly, the word crowd begins with the letters "crow" — the common black bird known for its intelligence and distinctive caw. This is coincidental in everyday usage, but in word puzzles, such hidden words within words can be significant clues.
Fencer
A fencer is an athlete who practices the sport of fencing — a combat sport involving sword fighting with one of three weapons: the foil, épée, or sabre. Fencing is one of only five sports that have been featured at every modern Summer Olympic Games since 1896. Olympic fencers compete in individual and team events, with bouts decided by touches scored against an opponent. The sport demands exceptional reflexes, agility, strategic thinking, and precise footwork. Outside of sports, a "fencer" can also refer to someone who builds or repairs fences, though this usage is less common.
Gymnast
A gymnast is an athlete who performs gymnastics — a sport involving physical exercises that require balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance. Gymnastics is one of the marquee events of the Summer Olympic Games, featuring disciplines like artistic gymnastics (vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise), rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline. Legendary Olympic gymnasts include Nadia Comăneci, Simone Biles, and Kōhei Uchimura. The word derives from the Greek gymnastēs, meaning "trainer of athletes," which itself comes from gymnos (naked), as ancient Greek athletes trained unclothed.
Interference
Interference means the act of intervening, obstructing, or getting in the way of something. In physics, interference refers to the phenomenon where two waves combine to form a resultant wave. In everyday life, interference means unwelcome meddling ("stop interfering in my business"). In American football, pass interference is one of the most consequential penalties — it is called when a player illegally hinders an eligible receiver's (or defender's) ability to catch a forward pass. Pass interference can result in significant yardage penalties and even automatic first downs. In baseball, interference occurs when a fielder obstructs a baserunner's path.
Lambeau
Lambeau most famously refers to Lambeau Field, the iconic home stadium of the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Opened in 1957, it is the oldest continuously operating NFL stadium and is affectionately known as the "Frozen Tundra" due to its brutal winter conditions. The stadium is named after Earl "Curly" Lambeau, the co-founder, first player, and first head coach of the Packers. Lambeau Field is one of the most legendary venues in all of American sports, hosting some of the most iconic moments in NFL history, including the famous "Ice Bowl" of 1967. Notably, the word Lambeau begins with the letters "lamb" — a young sheep — followed by "eau," the French word for water.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Born in Rosario, Argentina in 1987, Messi spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona, where he won numerous La Liga titles and UEFA Champions League trophies. He later joined Paris Saint-Germain and then Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His first name, Lionel, begins with the letters "lion" — the majestic big cat often called the king of the jungle — which is fitting for a player considered royalty in the world of football.
Protection
Protection is the act of shielding, guarding, or defending someone or something from harm, damage, or threat. It is a universally understood concept used in law (witness protection), technology (data protection), ecology (environmental protection), and personal safety. In American football, pass protection is a critical offensive concept — it refers to the blocking scheme used by the offensive line and other players to protect the quarterback from being sacked or hurried while attempting to throw a pass. Good pass protection gives the quarterback time to read the defense and find open receivers. The quality of a team's pass protection is often cited as one of the most important factors in offensive success.
Rower
A rower is an athlete who competes in rowing (also called crew) — a water sport in which individuals or teams propel a boat using oars. Rowing is one of the oldest Summer Olympic sports, featured at the Games since 1900 (it was originally scheduled for 1896 but was cancelled due to bad weather). Olympic rowing events include single sculls, pairs, fours, and eights, in both men's and women's categories. Rowing demands extraordinary cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and synchronized teamwork (in team events). Outside of competitive sports, a rower is simply anyone who rows a boat. The famous Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race is one of the most watched rowing events globally.
Runner
A runner is a person who runs, particularly as a form of exercise or competitive sport. In track and field — a cornerstone of the Summer Olympic Games — runners compete in events ranging from the 100-meter sprint to the marathon (42.195 km). Running events have been part of the Olympics since the ancient Greek games in 776 BC. Famous Olympic runners include Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, Florence Griffith-Joyner, and Eliud Kipchoge. Beyond athletics, "runner" has many other meanings: a runner in baseball (baserunner), a table runner (decorative cloth), a drug runner (smuggler), a runner on a sled (blade), or a runner bean (climbing plant). In football, a runner refers to a player carrying the ball.
Rusher
A rusher is someone who rushes — moves quickly, charges forward, or applies aggressive pressure. In American football, a rusher has two key meanings: on offense, it refers to a player who carries the ball on running plays (a rushing attempt); on defense, a pass rusher is a player whose primary role is to pursue and pressure the quarterback during passing plays. Elite pass rushers — typically defensive ends and outside linebackers — are among the highest-paid players in the NFL. The term "pass rush" describes the defensive effort to reach the quarterback before he can throw the ball. In everyday language, a rusher is simply someone who acts in haste.
Soldier
A soldier is a person who serves in an army or military force. Soldiers are trained in combat, discipline, and duty, and they serve to protect and defend their nation. The word comes from the Old French soudier, meaning "one who serves for pay." In a figurative sense, being a "soldier" means to endure hardship bravely — "soldiering on." In Chicago sports, the name carries enormous significance: Soldier Field is the historic stadium located on the Lake Michigan lakefront in Chicago, home to the Chicago Bears of the NFL. Opened in 1924, Soldier Field is named in honor of American soldiers who died in combat and is one of the most recognizable sporting venues in the United States.
United
United means joined together, combined, or acting as one. It is one of the most common words in organizational naming — the United States, United Nations, United Airlines. In sports, "United" appears in the names of countless soccer clubs worldwide (Manchester United, Leeds United, Atlanta United, D.C. United). In Chicago, the name is prominently associated with the United Center, the premier indoor arena located on the city's Near West Side. The United Center is home to the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), and has a seating capacity of over 20,000. It opened in 1994 and is the largest arena in the United States by seating capacity.
Wintrust
Wintrust is a financial services company headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area, founded in 1991. While it is primarily known as a community banking institution, the name has become widely recognized in the sports world through naming rights deals. Wintrust Arena is a multi-purpose arena located in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood, serving as the home court of the Chicago Sky (WNBA) and the DePaul Blue Demons men's and women's basketball teams. Opened in 2017, Wintrust Arena has a capacity of approximately 10,387 and has become an important Chicago sporting venue. The Wintrust brand also extends to Wintrust Field, a minor league baseball park in the suburbs.
Wrigley
Wrigley is a name synonymous with both chewing gum and Chicago baseball. The Wrigley Company, founded by William Wrigley Jr. in 1891, became one of the world's largest confectionery companies. But for sports fans, Wrigley means one thing above all: Wrigley Field, the beloved ballpark on Chicago's North Side that has been home to the Chicago Cubs (MLB) since 1916. Wrigley Field is the second-oldest active major league ballpark (after Fenway Park), famous for its ivy-covered outfield walls, manual scoreboard, and the rooftop seating on surrounding buildings. It is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States, and its status as a Chicago landmark is unrivaled.
Tips for Solving Today's NYT Connections Sports Edition
Now that you have a thorough understanding of each word's meaning, here are some strategies to help you find the four groups:
- Think about what these people do for a living. Some of today's words describe athletes who compete in specific types of sporting events. What kind of events unite them?
- Look for a geographic connection. Several words today are associated with a particular city. Think about stadiums, arenas, and famous venues.
- Consider compound words and phrases. Can any of these words be combined with a common word to form well-known sports terms? Think about what word could come before each one.
- Examine the words themselves — literally. Sometimes the connection isn't about meaning at all, but about the letters and hidden words inside the word itself. Look at the beginning of each word very carefully.
- Start with the group you're most confident about. If you can clearly identify one category of four, lock it in first. This narrows the remaining 12 words and makes the next connections easier to spot.
- The purple group is always the trickiest. It often involves wordplay, hidden patterns, or lateral thinking. Save it for last if you're unsure.
Still Stuck? Get the Full Solution
If you've read through all the definitions and you're still struggling to find the four groups, don't worry — today's Sports Edition is particularly devious. You can view the complete solution for NYT Connections Sports Puzzle #660 here, with all four color-coded groups revealed. And be sure to bookmark our NYT Connections Sports Hints Today page for daily hints, tips, and definitions for every new puzzle.
About NYT Connections Sports Edition
The NYT Connections Sports Edition is a daily word puzzle by The New York Times, designed specifically for sports fans. Each puzzle presents 16 sports-related words that must be sorted into four groups of four. The groups are color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest). Players get four mistakes before the game ends. The Sports Edition often features creative wordplay, famous athletes, team names, venue references, and clever linguistic tricks that go beyond straightforward sports trivia. Puzzle #660 is the edition for July 15, 2025.
Good luck with today's puzzle! Remember — the connections are hiding in plain sight. Think beyond the obvious, look at the letters, and let the definitions above guide your instincts.
