1.   He found out the Sparks are capable of fighting on even terms with the two-time defending league champions.

2.   It might seem unbecoming to celebrate a trade that dealt a friend away from the defending league champions.

3.   The defending league champion San Diego Padres were in the news, but for all the wrong reasons.

4.   The defending league champions are trying to win their fourth Super Bowl in five years.

5.   Then it rang, alerting Kara Wolters that future paychecks would be forthcoming not just from the solvent WNBA but from the two-time defending league champion Comets.

6.   Pellegrino is the first Argentine to join the defending league champion this season.

7.   After gaining back a point on first-place Internazionale last week, the defending Italian league champions once again believe they can win another title.

8.   After gaining back a point on first-place Internazionale, the defending Italian league champions once again believe they can win another title.

9.   Arsenal, the defending league and F.A. Cup champion, opens Monday at home against Nottingham Forest.

10.   Aston Villa, the defending league cup champion, has told Bosnich that his first team place is safe for now.