Sports in 2025: A Year of Surprises and Goodbyes

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. The year also saw the rise of new stars and the fall of old giants, with the NFL Draft and NBA gambling scandals making headlines. College athletics underwent a seismic shift, with the portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policies spreading like wildfire. The media's handling of Terence Crawford's retirement was criticized, and the WNBA players' bold stance in CBA negotiations was a standout moment. The Pac-12 and Big Ten conferences underwent significant changes, with Indiana football and Detroit basketball making unexpected strides.The NFL season was filled with surprises, with the Patriots, Bears, and Jaguars rising to prominence while the Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, and Commanders struggled. The Eagles' performance was a rollercoaster, with a dramatic shift in form from January to December. College football coaches faced firings and buyouts, and the media landscape saw notable exits and arrivals, including the move of "Inside The NBA" to ESPN. The sports world also bid farewell to several legends, with the deaths of Hulk Hogan and notable figures in Chicago sports. The year saw the rise of new stars like Austin Reaves and Cooper Flagg, and the continued dominance of small-market teams in the NBA. The 2026 World Cup ticket prices sparked outrage, and the NYC Marathon's men's finish was a historic moment. The year also saw the end of Jake Paul's and Andrew Tate's boxing careers, and the backlash to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance was a cultural moment. The impact of Taylor Swift's relationship with Travis Kelce on his career was a topic of much debate, and the sports world continued to grapple with issues of diversity and inclusion.