NYT Connections: Sports Edition Officially Launches with a Super Bowl Surprise
NYT Connections: Sports Edition is now live, introducing a thrilling challenge for word puzzle enthusiasts with a passion for sports. After spending time in beta, the game officially launched on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9, 2025. This sports-focused version of the popular NYT Connections puzzle is available for free exclusively on The Athletic’s website and app, marking a new addition to The New York Times’ growing suite of word games. Unlike the standard NYT Games app, this edition is hosted solely on The Athletic, the sports journalism platform owned by The New York Times.
The game’s structure mirrors the original NYT Connections, where players identify common themes among groups of words or names. However, the Sports Edition takes things up a notch by incorporating athletic knowledge, from player names to game terminology.
The Puzzle Breakdown – February 14, 2025 (No. 144)
One of the early editions of the game, the February 14 puzzle (No. 144), proved to be particularly challenging. According to journalist Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, who covered the puzzle for CNET, this edition leaned heavily on a player’s familiarity with both American and international sports figures.
The puzzle consisted of four themed groups:
– Yellow Group (Theme: None) – Love, Nil, Zero, Zip
– Green Group (Theme: Special Ability) – Flair, Gift, Skill, Talent
– Blue Group (Theme: NFC Quarterbacks) – Daniels, Goff, Mayfield, Stafford
– Purple Group (Theme: Premier League Forwards) – Haaland, Salah, Son, Vardy
The Blue and Purple groups demonstrated the game’s emphasis on professional sports. The Blue group featured well-known quarterbacks from the NFC, while the Purple group highlighted star forwards from the Premier League. These categories pushed players to tap into their knowledge of top athletes and their respective leagues.
A Collaborative Effort in Puzzle and Presentation
This puzzle was crafted by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist with experience in breaking news, entertainment, and lifestyle reporting. She has written for outlets such as NBC News Digital and the Minneapolis Star Tribune and has co-authored two pop culture encyclopedias for Penguin Books.
A visual component was also incorporated into the article, with CNET photographer James Martin contributing an image of the puzzle on a mobile screen. This touch emphasized the digital nature of the game and its accessibility for players who enjoy solving word challenges on the go.
A Strategic Super Bowl Launch
Launching on Super Bowl Sunday was no coincidence. The Athletic’s decision to debut the game on February 9, 2025, aligned it with the biggest sporting event of the year, ensuring maximum exposure among football fans and word game enthusiasts alike.
NYT Connections: Sports Edition follows in the footsteps of other hit puzzle games under The New York Times umbrella, including Wordle, the Mini Crossword, and the word association puzzle Strands. This new version, however, carves out a unique space by specifically catering to sports fans. Whether a player follows American football, European soccer, or general athletic trivia, this game provides a fresh and engaging twist on the classic Connections formula.
Where to Play
NYT Connections: Sports Edition is available exclusively on:
– The Athletic’s website
– The Athletic’s mobile app
Unlike other NYT word puzzles, it is not included in the NYT Games app.
A Winning Combination of Sports and Wordplay
This new addition to The New York Times’ gaming lineup is a treat for both word puzzle lovers and sports enthusiasts. The mix of athlete names, game terms, and wordplay ensures each puzzle keeps players engaged and thinking critically about the world of sports.
If early puzzles like the February 14 edition are any indicator, NYT Connections: Sports Edition will continue to deliver challenging and exciting word associations that put players’ sports knowledge to the test. Whether you’re a casual fan or a sports trivia expert, this game offers a unique way to combine your love for athletics with the fun of word puzzles.
