Sports in 2025: A Year of Surprises and Goodbyes

A Polarizing Figure and Shifting Landscapes

In 2025, sports fans witnessed a whirlwind of events that left many questioning what they thought they knew. Nico Harrison became a polarizing figure, loved and hated in equal measure, reshaping the landscape of U.S. sports.

New Stars and Falling Giants

• The year saw the rise of new stars and the fall of old giants.
• The NFL Draft and NBA gambling scandals made headlines.

College Athletics: Seismic Shifts

• Portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policies spread like wildfire.
• Media's handling of Terence Crawford's retirement was criticized.
• WNBA players' bold stance in CBA negotiations was a standout moment.
• Pac-12 and Big Ten conferences underwent significant changes.
• Indiana football and Detroit basketball made unexpected strides.

NFL: Surprises and Struggles

• Patriots, Bears, and Jaguars rose to prominence.
• Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, and Commanders struggled.
• Eagles' performance was a rollercoaster, with a dramatic shift in form from January to December.
• College football coaches faced firings and buyouts.
• Media landscape saw notable exits and arrivals, including the move of "Inside The NBA" to ESPN.

Farewells and New Beginnings

• The sports world bid farewell to several legends, including Hulk Hogan and notable figures in Chicago sports.
• The year saw the rise of new stars like Austin Reaves and Cooper Flagg.
• Continued dominance of small-market teams in the NBA.

Controversies and Cultural Moments

• 2026 World Cup ticket prices sparked outrage.
• NYC Marathon's men's finish was a historic moment.
• End of Jake Paul's and Andrew Tate's boxing careers.
• Backlash to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance was a cultural moment.
• Impact of Taylor Swift's relationship with Travis Kelce on his career was a topic of much debate.
• Sports world continued to grapple with issues of diversity and inclusion.