The year 2025 was filled with some of the most amazing exploits that sports fans have ever witnessed. Whether you are a sports fanatic or just a casual observer, there have been incredible moments throughout the year where the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” was on full display. But along with the athletic prowess of the athletes, there were scandals, controversies, wild allegations, and drama that surrounded the game’s brightest stars and franchises. In some instances, the messiness was bigger than the actual game. As we prepare for 2026, here are The Most Shocking Sports Stories of 2025.
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LeBron James Runs Up On Steven A. Smith During a Game
LeBron James doesn’t play about his family, and he learned Stephen A. Smith real quick. The Lakers superstar confronted the “First Take” host courtside during the third quarter game against the New York Knicks in March. The confrontation was caught on camera and went viral. Smith, who first said he understood James’ response, went on to accuse him of “orchestrating” the confrontation for the cameras. He even said on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast that he doesn’t like James. In response, James said that Smith crossed the line when he questioned him as a father during an episode of “First Take. “That’s the only thing I’m tripping,” James said. “I don’t give a f**k. Once he talks about, ‘I’m pleading to you as a father.’ I can’t.” Since the altercation, James and Smith have not reconciled.
WNBA Players Wear “Pay Us, What You Owe Us’ Shirts At All-Star Game
At the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis in July, the players made it known that they would fight for what they believed they were worth. Team Collier (Napheesa Collier) and Team Clark (Caitlin Clark) donned warm-ups wearing black T-shirts with the phrase “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” Organized by the WNBPA, it was an unapologetic message to the league office about the forthcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. Stars like A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese wore black-and-white tees to demand a higher revenue-sharing model and a total overhaul of the league’s salary structure. Standing in solidarity with the players, the crowd loudly chanted “Pay them!” as Commissioner Cathy Engelbert presented the MVP trophy.
Kawhi Leonard Allegedly Getting Paid Under The Table By The Los Angeles Clippers
Even before the 2025-26 NBA season began, the Clippers were embroiled in a serious controversy. The NBA launched an investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers concerning allegations of salary-cap circumvention involving the sustainability firm Aspiration. The probe, drawn from the reporting of journalist Pablo Torre, calls into question a four-year, $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal that Leonard inked with the now-bankrupt company. Officials are investigating if Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who invested $50 million in Aspiration, used the deal to compensate Leonard “under the table” and outside the NBA’s salary cap. While Lenoard and Baller have said they’re innocent, the investigation is currently ongoing. If found guilty, the Clippers could be levied with multi-million dollar fines and the loss of future draft picks.
Naphessa Collier Slams WNBA Leadership
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier said what she said. During her exit meeting following the Lynx’s 2025 playoff elimination in September, Collier flamed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert with a four-minute prepared statement. She called the WNBA leadership “the worst leadership in the world.” Collier then accused the league executive’s office of “lack of accountability” and a “tone-deaf, dismissive approach” toward player safety and officiating. Collier shared a private conversation she had with Engelbert when she allegedly “Only the losers complain about the refs,” and suggested that young stars like Caitlin Clark should be “on their knees” in gratitude for the platform the league offers. As we approach 2026, the league and the players have come to terms on a new CBA.
DOJ Investigating NBA Players, Coaches, and Former Players For Allegedly Gambling Schemes
In 2025, the NBA was making headlines not just for the play on the court but for the alleged betting that was happening on games by players and illegal poker rings. In Oct. 2025, the Department of Justice charged 34 individuals, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers Chauncey Billips, and former player Damon Jones, in two separate but overlapping schemes: an illegal sports betting conspiracy and a rigged poker ring which was allegedly backed by organized crime figures. Rozier was accused of providing “insider information” to associates regarding his health, specifically tipping off bettors that he would exit a Feb. 2023 game early due to injury to cash in on “under” prop bets. Meanwhile, Billups and former player Damon Jones were linked to a high-stakes poker operation that utilized modified shuffling machines and hidden cameras to defraud wealthy victims of over $7 million. Rozier, Billups, and Jones have each pleaded guilty.
Tank Davis Accused Again Of Domestic Violence, Fight With Jake Paul Cancelled
Although Gervonta “Tank” Davis is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing, he allegedly has a history of putting his hands on women. The last incident occurred on Oct. 30 when Courtney Rossel, Davis’s ex-girlfriend, accused the boxer of aggravated battery, kidnapping, and false imprisonment stemming from an incident at a Miami nightclub. The incident took place before Davis’ highly anticipated fight with You-Tuber-turned-boxer Jake JakePaul. When Davis’ allegations went public, Paul described him as a “human piece of garbage.” Paul also said that his company “champions women” and would not work with a suspected abuser. Eventually, the fight was canceled, and Anthony Joshua took Davis’ place on December 19.
The Tragic Passing of Marshawn Kneeland
Tragedy struck the Dallas Cowboys organization when defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 24 years old. Prior to his death, the Texas Department of Public Safety attempted to stop Kneeland for a traffic violation late that night. According to reports, Kneeland refused to stop and led the authorities on a chase. Eventually, Kneeland crashed into another car before his vehicle eventually came to rest on the Dallas Parkway, and then he left the scene on foot. At 1:31 a.m., law enforcement discovered him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. After his passing, it was revealed thatKneeland suffered from mental illness, and his girlfriend Catalina said he told her he would “end it all” earlier that day. In the game following his death, the Cowboys honored Kneeland with a touching video tribute. Osa Odighizuwa, a fellow teammate, paid tribute to Kneeland by coming onto the field with a No. 94 flag during pregame warmups.
Chris Paul Sent Home By The Clippers In The Middle Of The Night
After returning to the Los Angeles Clippers for his final year in the NBA, Chris Paul’s farewell came to an abrupt end. Paul was “sent home” and unceremoniously dismissed by the Clippers on Dec. 3, 2025, in the middle of the night, ending his second go-round with the team. The decision followed a tense late-night meeting in Atlanta between Paul and the President of Basketball Operations, Lawrence Frank, after weeks of reported friction between the future Hall of Famer and the coaching staff. After an alleged rift with head coach Tyronn Lue, who reportedly refused to meet with Paul and associate head coach Jeff Van Gundy, reportedly speaking during a heated argument on the team plane over defensive coverages. While Paul saw himself as “an extension of the coaching staff,” the organization had had enough of his heavy-handed leadership style. What a sad ending to an iconic career.
The Downfall of Sherrone Moore
At one time, Sherrone Moore had it all. He was the head coach of the University of Michigan’s football team, one of the most prestigious programs in the country. He had a wife and children. But he threw it all away to have an affair with a staffer. On Dec. 10, 2025, Michigan terminated Moore “with cause” following an internal investigation that revealed “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship with Paige Shiver, a former executive assistant at the university. The affair went on for years in secret. Hours after his firing, Moore was arrested and charged with third-degree felony home invasion, stalking, and illegal entry after he entered Shiver’s allegedly threatened to harm her to kill himself. At his arraignment, Moore pleaded not guilty to home invasion and stalking; $25k bond. Moore’s next court date is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026.
Terence Crawford Retires From Boxing
After ascending to the top of boxing, Terence “Bud” Crawford stunned the sports world with the announcement of his retirement from the sport on Dec. 17. “I’m stepping away from competition, not because I’m done fighting but because I’ve won a different kind of battle. The one where you walk away on your own terms,” Crawford said. “This isn’t goodbye, this is the end of one fight and the beginning of another.“I gave this sport every breath I had. Every scar, every triumph, every ounce of my heart. I’ve made peace with what’s next. And now, it’s time. Thank you.” Crawford retires with a record as a five-division champion, 42-0 record, with 31 wins coming by knockout.
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