2025's Biggest Sports Moments: A Year to Remember

2025 was a year packed with unforgettable sports moments. From heartbreaking losses to historic wins, the year had it all. One of the biggest stories was the NCAA settlement that changed college sports forever. The House settlement allowed schools to pay athletes directly, creating a huge gap between rich and poor schools. The Big Ten and SEC, with their massive TV deals, are now pulling away from the rest of the pack. In golf, Rory McIlroy finally won the Masters after years of near-misses. He also led Europe to a Ryder Cup victory on U. S. soil. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin became the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, breaking Wayne Gretzky's record. The Dallas Mavericks shocked the world by trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers. The deal turned out to be a disaster for Dallas, while Dončić thrived in Los Angeles. College football saw a wild coaching carousel, with Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss for LSU just before the playoffs. The NBA was rocked by gambling scandals involving coaches and players. Scottie Scheffler dominated the golf world, while the Ohio State Buckeyes won the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. The Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, denying them a third straight title.The Florida Gators ended UConn's bid for a three-peat in college basketball. The WNBA faced labor issues despite its growing popularity. Bill Belichick's experiment as a college coach at North Carolina ended in disaster. Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners made history by hitting 60 home runs, the most ever by a catcher. The Shedeur Sanders saga captivated the NFL, while Sherrone Moore's fall from grace shocked the sports world. Paige Bueckers finally won a national championship with UConn. The Oklahoma City Thunder validated their youth movement by winning the NBA title. Injuries plagued the basketball world, raising questions about the future of the sport. John Cena and Terence Crawford retired, leaving big shoes to fill. A new rivalry emerged in tennis between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The Yankees caused a stir with their innovative bats, and Canada triumphed in a testy 4 Nations Face-Off. Indiana's dream season culminated in a Heisman Trophy for quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers became the team to beat, proving that success can be repeated.