The stadiums and arenas where fans go to escape were invaded like never before this year as the reality of racism, domestic violence and equality turned the Fields of Dreams into gloomy landscapes.
LeBron James’s homecoming, a Super Bowl blowout, a throwback World Series pitching performance and a Stanley Cup comeback for the ages all provided enough drama, suspense and awe to keep the turnstiles twirling and television ratings soaring.
However, the cheers were occasionally drowned out by outrage over domestic abuse and chants of “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” as fans and athletes joined protests over the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.
Internationally, there was plenty of glory for North America as the US won 28 medals at the Sochi Games and claimed the world basketball crown, while Canada enjoyed a sweep of the Olympic ice hockey gold medals.
However, there was less to be proud of on the US homefront as the ever-present undercurrent of racism surfaced, forcing National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver to come down hard on then-Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
With players on the brink of revolt and sponsors ready to flee, Sterling was run out of the league, both cashing in and paying the price for his racist rant, loathed and humiliated, but US$2 billion richer after a forced sale of his team to Microsoft co-founder Steve Ballmer.
James, the face of NBA, grabbed headlines when he turned his back on the glitz of Miami for the grit of Cleveland, the city he famously jilted four years early in free agency.
After winning two NBA titles with the Heat, but being humbled in last season’s final by the San Antonio Spurs, James returned to the Cavaliers determined to deliver the championship he failed to in his first stint with the team.
The NFL took as many hits off the field as on it, but the controversies could not dent the league’s immense popularity.
Commissioner Roger Goodell was widely criticized for fumbling domestic violence cases, most notably one involving a video showing former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his then-fiance in an elevator.
Concussions remained a major concern in the NFL while the league prepared to welcome its first openly gay player. However, Michael Sam’s groundbreaking bid fizzled when he was dropped by the St Louis Rams and then the Dallas Cowboys, leaving his playing future in limbo.
On the field, the Seattle Seahawks thumped the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the first cold weather Super Bowl played outdoors in New Jersey.
With a labor dispute behind it, the NHL entered the year in spectacular style by attracting a record crowd of 105,000 to Michigan Stadium for a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
The Los Angeles Kings grabbed the NHL spotlight by winning their second Stanley Cup in three seasons after a remarkable playoff run that included a rally from a 3-0 series deficit in the opening round.
After 20 seasons, New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter exited the MLB stage in grand style by slamming the winning hit in a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in his final game at Yankee Stadium.
A few weeks later, fans found a new star, as San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner earned his spot in the pantheon of baseball greats by earning two wins in the World Series and a five-inning save in the decisive seventh game to give his team their third championship in five years.
Kawhi Leonard on Sunday scored 41 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made four steals to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a lopsided 115-96 victory at Minnesota. The 34-year-old forward, a two-time NBA champion, matched the second-best road scoring effort of his career as the Clippers improved to 25-27. “Just being aggressive. My teammates trust me,” Leonard said. “Every moment when I touch the ball — assist, shooting the basketball or getting a rebound — I’m just trying to help the team win.” Leonard made three steals in a row at the start of the contest. “Just wanted to come out early in the
FLOP TO CONQUEROR: It was sweet vindication for Sam Darnold, who played for four NFL teams before his debut season in Seattle ended in the ultimate win The Seattle Seahawks on Sunday coasted to Super Bowl glory, routing the New England Patriots 29-13 as Sam Darnold sealed his journey from flop quarterback to conqueror of the NFL’s biggest prize. Brushing off a reputation for wilting in big games, journeyman quarterback Darnold threw for a touchdown and 200 yards on the grandest stage of all to give the Seahawks their second-ever Lombardi Trophy. “It’s unbelievable. Everything that has happened in my career, but to do it with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. The victory was buoyed by a dominant defensive display and kicker Jason Myers’
Donyell Malen on Monday scored in each half as AS Roma beat Cagliari 2-0 to stay in touch with the chasing pack at the top of Serie A. Leaders Inter are eight points clear of city rivals AC Milan and nine ahead of reigning champions SSC Napoli. Roma are three points further back along with Juventus. Dutch centerforward Malen had scored only once in four appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa last month, but he proved his worth on Monday with two excellent finishes. He ran on to a clever through-ball from Gianluca Mancini and his deft chip over the goalkeeper
Dasun Shanaka hammered the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the cohosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the World Cup yesterday in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, for their second win in Group B. The 2014 champions piled up 225-5, the highest total of the tournament, before restricting an outclassed Oman to 120-9. The 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem waged a lone battle for Oman, compiling an unbeaten 53 to become the oldest player to score a 50 in T20 World Cups. Having promoted himself up the order and under pressure to deliver, Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century. It has been
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