Ranking 25 storylines we're most excited about in 2025 (Part 1)

To ring within the new 12 months, theScore is trying forward. Whereas 2024 supplied plenty of indelible sports activities moments, 2025 guarantees to ship its personal share of memorable occasions and historic achievements. Under, we’re counting down the 2025 storylines which have us most intrigued. Our five-part collection kicks off with objects 25-21.

Comply with the complete collection this week:

25. Will 4 Nations Face-Off be successful?

The 4 Nations Face-Off, which is being held in Montreal and Boston from Feb. 12-20, is males’s hockey’s first “best-on-best” match for the reason that 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The nine-day, NHL-run occasion options six round-robin video games and a closing. 4 of the highest 5 hockey nations – Canada, america, Sweden, and Finland – are collaborating. Russia’s been excluded for geopolitical causes, whereas different nations like Czechia, Switzerland, and Germany do not have sufficient on a regular basis NHLers to fill a 23-man roster. (Solely gamers on NHL contracts are eligible.)

There is a low bar for this occasion to be thought-about successful, given the eight-year look ahead to worldwide competitors outdoors of the annual world championships. This would be the first time Canadians Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby share the ice as teammates, whereas the U.S. squad is headlined by two units of brothers within the Hughes and Tkachuk siblings.

The 4 Nations is being marketed as an appetizer for the 2026 Olympics, and it will come and go shortly. Nonetheless, there will be loads of storylines: The USA boasts the perfect roster high to backside, Canada has essentially the most star energy however questionable goaltending, Sweden’s efficiency largely will depend on its blue line, and Finland is the match’s true underdog. – John Matisz

24. Might Man Metropolis actually get relegated?

Sure. Relegation from the highest flight of English soccer is among the many attainable outcomes of the Premier League’s case in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, who’re accused of breaching monetary guidelines, obscuring funds to coaches and gamers, and failing to cooperate with authorities over a nine-year interval. An unbiased three-man panel is reportedly deliberating after spending three months listening to arguments from each side.

We cannot get a verdict till January on the earliest. Even then, Metropolis, who deny all wrongdoing, are more likely to enchantment. A closing ruling might not arrive till subsequent season. So in the event that they do get relegated, it will not occur instantly.

A monetary settlement stays the almost definitely final result. The Premier League might supply the cash to different groups as an olive department. Something aside from a settlement feels far-fetched and counterproductive. Think about relegating a crew that has gained six of the previous seven Premier League titles and the injury that might do to the integrity of the competitors. The harshest punishment might serve justice, however on the expense of the Premier League itself. Would the league settle for such a dangerous trade-off? – Anthony Lopopolo

23. Will the White Sox bounce again?

2024 was a tough 12 months for the South Facet, with the White Sox breaking the trendy document for many losses in a single season with 121. This was a supreme fall from grace for a corporation that appeared within the postseason simply three years prior and had the look of a World Collection contender throughout the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. However after steady failures and underperformance from stars, the crew fired its high executives and undertook a full-on rebuild below newly appointed common supervisor Chris Getz.

The primary White Sox season below Getz seemed much less like a rebuild and extra like what Rachel Phelps had deliberate for Cleveland within the movie “Main League.” Chicago completed final in practically each necessary baseball class and followers started to put on paper baggage over their heads at Assured Fee Discipline.

It would not appear like the White Sox try to bounce again in 2025 both. The group has achieved nothing to enhance the squad and is reportedly making an attempt to commerce a few of its remaining good gamers; Garrett Crochet has already been dealt, and Luis Robert Jr. might comply with. Pure luck is perhaps the one means the White Sox win extra video games subsequent season. – Bryan Mcwilliam

22. The Invoice Belichick period at UNC

Invoice Belichick surprised the soccer world when he accepted the top teaching job at North Carolina for subsequent season. Will probably be his first faculty gig after spending 49 seasons within the NFL. Can arguably the best coach in soccer historical past succeed as a 72-year-old freshman? The six-time Tremendous Bowl champion head coach not too long ago mentioned his Tar Heels will likely be a “skilled program” that is a “pipeline” to the NFL. Nonetheless, the historic basketball college final gained a convention soccer championship in 1980 and is not precisely recognized for churning out blue-chip prospects.

Belichick may have a common supervisor to assist cope with the more and more complicated switch portal, NIL compensation, and looming income sharing, although recruiting and connecting with teenage gamers might show tough for the notoriously rigid coach. (Will he bench the primary participant who movies a TikTok within the locker room?)

Though his New England Patriots tenure went off the rails post-Tom Brady, Belichick was a grasp defensive strategist who often outschemed the NFL’s finest coaches. Does he nonetheless have that in him? We’ll miss his common media appearances as an analyst, nevertheless it’ll really feel proper to see Belichick patrolling a sideline once more – even when it isn’t the place we anticipated. – Liam Fox

21. Can Jokic win his 4th MVP?

On tempo to win his fourth NBA MVP award, Nicola Jokic ought to simply be thought-about an all-time nice after this season. The Serbian has gained three of the final 4, together with the 2023-24 honor, however he is eclipsing his stats from earlier campaigns. The Denver Nuggets star is averaging profession highs in factors (30.8), steals (1.7), and 3-point proportion (50%). He is 14.1 proportion factors higher from lengthy vary than final season and trying extra threes than ever, averaging 4.5 per recreation. With 12.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists per recreation, Jokic has an opportunity to complete the season averaging a triple-double. Solely two gamers in historical past have achieved the feat (Russell Westbrook has achieved it 4 occasions and Oscar Robertson as soon as).

He is poised to set league data too. Jokic is averaging 52.8 factors, rebounds, and assists per recreation mixed; no different participant has put up greater than 53 for the reason that league merger. He is proper there. The Joker might additionally turn into the primary participant to ever lead the Affiliation in factors, boards, and dimes in the identical season. He presently sits third in factors and assists, and tied for third in rebounds.

The 29-year-old will likely be respiratory rarefied air if he takes residence the league’s high particular person honor as soon as once more; LeBron James and Invoice Russell are the one gamers in league historical past to win the MVP award 4 occasions in 5 seasons. – Joseph Luca Casciaro

The rollout continues Tuesday with Nos. 20-16.