There was a time when sports and politics rarely mixed, but that all changed in 2017. FHM's Nick Dimengo joins Cheddar with a look back at the biggest trends and stories from the year in sports. The senior editor breaks down the biggest headlines, from the NFL's kneeling controversy to the Golden State Warriors' feud with President Trump.
The anthem protests weren't the NFL's only sore spot this year. Dimengo also details the slew of high-profile injuries that took the league's biggest stars out of commission. We consider whether football's struggles represent an opportunity for the NBA to become America's most popular league.
Finally, we share our predictions for 2018 in sports. Dimengo says Washington Nationals' star Bryce Harper will be next year's biggest winner, while USA Soccer will be its biggest loser. Finally, we share our picks for which teams will come out on top in the next 2018.
Texas Rangers (90-72, second in the AL West during the regular season) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78, second in the NL West during the regular season).
The Arizona Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series for the first time in 22 years by stunning the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. Arizona next plays the Texas Rangers in the Fall Classic.
NHL players will be allowed to use Pride tape this season after all with the reversal of a ban that sparked a backlash around hockey and among LGBTQ+ advocates in sports.
The NBA’s 78th season starts Tuesday, with a ring ceremony in Denver — the traditional celebration of the reigning champions — highlighting the opening-night celebration. The Nuggets beat Miami last June to become the league’s fifth different champion in the last five years, a run of parity the likes of which the league hasn’t seen in more than 40 years.
