Another year has just about come and gone − and what a year it was in the world of sports.
In 2024, we saw several teams repeat as champions (hi Chiefs and Gamecocks) and a few others win their first titles (congrats, Florida Panthers). There was, of course, a spectacular edition of the Summer Olympics in Paris. Some surprising coaching retirements (Nick Saban) and surprising returns (Bill Belichick). And a tremendous surge in the interest (and, perhaps just as importantly, television money) surrounding the WNBA and other women's sports.
As we look back at the year that was, USA TODAY Sports figured we'd break it all down by identifying the athletes, coaches, entities and ideas that had the best calendar year ... as well as those that had it the worst.
And so, without further ado, here are some of the winners and losers in the world of sports in 2024:
2024 WINNERS
Caitlin Clark
No athlete dominated the sports conversation in 2024 like Clark, in part because she barely got a day off between leading Iowa to the national title game and joining the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.
Simone Biles
The GOAT of women's gymnastics added to her Olympic résumé with four medals, including three gold, at the Paris Olympics — a feat made all the more impressive by her case of the "twisties" and monthslong competitive hiatus that preceded it.
The running back position
After watching their position get devalued in recent years, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley switched teams and are running roughshod over NFL defenses, while Ashton Jeanty of Boise State flirted with Barry Sanders' collegiate rushing
Post a Comment