NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for September 17, 2025

The New York Times Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, has been released. It is puzzle number 359. This version of Connections runs on The Athletic platform and tests sports fans with tricky groupings. Many players found today’s puzzle tough. Some groups leaned on sports history, while others required movie knowledge.

The Athletic publishes this puzzle each day. It is free to play online or available inside The Athletic app. According to The Athletic editors, the game follows the same rules as the original NYT Connections but with a full sports theme. Today’s answers gave fans of California teams and LSU alumni a clear edge.

Sports Edition Hints Explained

The puzzle divides sixteen words into four groups of four. Today’s yellow group came with the clue “Golden State kickers.” The real theme was California soccer teams. The correct four were Angel City, Bay FC, Earthquakes, and Galaxy. Each team plays professional soccer in California, with Angel City in Los Angeles and Bay FC in the Bay Area.

The green group hint was “Where teams play.” The answers were stadium names used in Major League Baseball. These were Angel, Dodger, Globe Life, and Oracle. All four are active stadium names tied to franchises in the MLB.

The blue group pushed players toward the clue “Athletic-themed films.” The solution was sports movies of 1994. The correct four titles were Angels in the Outfield, Blue Chips, Little Big League, and Little Giants. Each film hit theaters in 1994 and remains part of sports movie history.

The purple group was the hardest. The clue was “Geaux Tigers!” The answer set was LSU alumni. The four names were Chase, Nabers, Reese, and Skenes. Each is a well-known athlete who played for Louisiana State University before turning pro. This group needed solid NCAA knowledge to spot.

Analysis of Today’s Puzzle

Today’s Sports Edition highlighted the mix of knowledge needed to solve Connections. A casual movie fan may have spotted the 1994 films quickly. A soccer follower in California could find the yellow group easy. Baseball fans recognized stadium names in the green group. Only the purple group stumped many, as LSU alumni are less obvious outside the college football and baseball world.

The Athletic often balances puzzle themes to cover multiple sports. Previous puzzles leaned on WNBA MVPs, Premier League nicknames, or Serie A clubs. Today’s version added a U.S. college focus with LSU. This mix tests fans across leagues and years.

Solvers noted that the Sports Edition continues to surprise. Some days it is simple, other days it is very niche. According to puzzle editors, the goal is to keep both casual and hardcore fans engaged. The challenge level can vary, but the fun remains in spotting links that others miss.

NYT Connections: Sports Edition answers for September 17 remind us why this spinoff is popular. It blends sports trivia with wordplay. It pushes memory and logic at once.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was the yellow group in today’s Sports Edition?

The yellow group was California soccer teams. The four were Angel City, Bay FC, Earthquakes, and Galaxy.

Q2: Which movies made up the blue group?

The blue group had 1994 sports films. The four were Angels in the Outfield, Blue Chips, Little Big League, and Little Giants.

Q3: Who were in the purple LSU alumni group?

The purple group featured Chase, Nabers, Reese, and Skenes. Each is a former LSU athlete.

Q4: What did the green group represent?

The green group was MLB stadium names. The four were Angel, Dodger, Globe Life, and Oracle.

Q5: Where can players access Sports Edition?

Sports Edition is found in The Athletic app. It is also free to play online each day.