The year has nearly come to an end, and it’s been an extraordinary year in sports.

In 2024, we witnessed some teams repeating their championship wins (hello, Chiefs and Gamecocks) and others celebrating their first-ever titles (shoutout to the Florida Panthers). The Summer Olympics in Paris was nothing short of spectacular. We also saw unexpected coaching retirements (bye, Nick Saban) and surprising comebacks (welcome back, Bill Belichick). Additionally, there was a significant uptick in interest (and crucially, financial investments) in the WNBA and various women’s sports.

As we reflect on this eventful year, YSL News Sports decided to highlight the athletes, coaches, organizations, and themes that truly shined… as well as those that faced challenges.

So, without delay, here are the highlights and lowlights from the sports world in 2024:

2024 WINNERS

Caitlin Clark

No athlete captured the sports spotlight in 2024 quite like Clark, who seamlessly transitioned from leading Iowa to the national championship game to being the top pick for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft.

Simone Biles

The greatest of all time in women’s gymnastics expanded her Olympic legacy by earning four medals, three of which were gold, during the Paris Olympics, a remarkable achievement considering her previous struggles with the “twisties” and an extended hiatus from competition.

The Running Back Position

After a string of seasons where their value declined, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley changed teams and have been dominating NFL defenses, while Ashton Jeanty from Boise State came close to breaking Barry Sanders’ college rushing record.

Jim Harbaugh

Harbaugh led his alma mater to a national championship, collected $3 million in bonuses, dodged potential NCAA sanctions by returning to the NFL, and brought the Los Angeles Chargers back into playoff contention—all in a single year.

MLB’s $700 Million Players

Shohei Ohtani inked a staggering $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and had an unforgettable season, clinching his first World Series title. While Juan Soto faced Ohtani in that World Series and ended up on the losing side, he soon celebrated a record-setting $765 million contract with the New York Mets.

The Kansas City Chiefs

Not only have the Chiefs won 19 out of 20 matches this year, but they’ve also done so in thrilling fashion—achieving eight victories by three points or fewer, including two games that went into overtime, like their Super Bowl win over San Francisco with a score of 25-22.

Niche Olympic Athletes

The Summer Olympics showcased an array of new talent. Among the most prominent and marketable stars were a Turkish marksman, a unique pommel horse gymnast who wears glasses, and an Australian breakdancer known for a signature move that mimicked a kangaroo hop.

NC State Men’s Basketball

This year’s March Madness featured a Cinderella story with the Wolfpack, who advanced to the Final Four for the first time in almost four decades, despite being underdogs heading into their conference tournament.

Honorable Mentions

• LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers getting the chance to play with his son Bronny
• The Florida Panthers’ championship run
• The WNBA’s new media contract
• The buzz surrounding Deion Sanders
• The U.S. women’s basketball team, reigning Olympic champions for eight consecutive years
• Freddie Freeman, first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers
• The launch of the Professional Women’s Hockey League
• The promising future of men’s tennis featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

2024 LOSERS

Misogynistic Sports Fans

This year was challenging for anyone with disdain for women’s sports, as interest in the WNBA surged and the U.S. women’s teams continued their dominance at the Olympics.

Police Departments in Louisville and Miami

Working in law enforcement is always tough, yet the officers involved in the arrests or detentions of Scottie Scheffler and Tyreek Hill this year appeared overly zealous, at the very least.

Aaron Rodgers

He began the year emphasizing the need to cut distractions for the New York Jets but then engaged in a public argument with Jimmy Kimmel and toyed with the idea of teaming up with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a presidential run. On the field, with the coaching shakeup involving Robert Saleh and the acquisition of Davante Adams, his mediocre performance left little room for excuses.

Viewers of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson Fight

Amid all the excitement and buzz, the fight was quite dull, further marred by streaming issues on Netflix which made watching it a frustrating experience.

The NCAA’s Take on Amateurism

The emergence of payments related to the name, image, and likeness of athletes has effectively shattered the concept of amateurism in elite college sports, with the upcoming House settlement threatening to deliver the final blow.

Rory McIlroy

This year was disappointing for McIlroy as he suffered a tough loss in the U.S. Open, failed to make the cut at the British Open, and saw his ranking fall dramatically.