Happy New Year!! 2026 is HERE! Before we start chasing the yearly goals we wanted, let’s take one last look at 2025. In a year full of ups and downs, our staff shared the ones that stuck with them. From insane games to personal points, we covered it all. So, as you enjoy that first cup of coffee in 2026, weeks present our favorite moments of the past year.
Joey MacDonald:
My favorite moment of 2025, as a Baltimore fan, was when the Orioles were one out away from being no-hit against the Dodgers, and beating the Dodgers on the 30th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.’s 2,131 consecutive games played. The reason for the moment is that the Orioles had their back completely against the wall, against the Dodgers, and they did all of their comeback with 2 outs. It happened on September 6th, also on the same date when Cal Ripken Jr broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games streak. To me, as an Orioles fan, that was our World Series in 2025 despite not making the playoffs in October.
Steve Rogers:
Hello, for my “Best of 2025” first and selfishly, I have to go with August 5th, 2025, as the date when my 1st born child had her 1st birthday. Now, from my perspective, the best sports moment belongs to the MLB and one of the best 7-game World Series series in recent history. Off of that, the greatest individual player for me in 2025 was the year of Ohtani Shohei Ohtani.
Ashmere Prasad:
My favorite moment of 2025 was having the opportunity to cover the inaugural season for the Golden State Valkyries. Covering the WNBA’s first expansion team in 18 years was the highlight of my year. The team was exciting, resilient, and extremely fun to cover. I had the opportunity to interview All-Star players, tell their stories, and, to top it off, the energy at Chase Center was eclectic. It was the place to be game in and game out. I also learned the pains of being a beat reporter for basketball – I barely slept all summer! I’m excited for what is to come with this franchise and grateful for the chance to be a part of history.
Keith Richards:
The moment that had the biggest impact in 2025 was the NBA Gambling Probe. When every other commercial during sporting events is about one gambling promotion or another, we learned just how deep gambling runs in sports. From players betting their own game to coaches running illegal poker games with mafia ties, there may be a big issue in sports.
TJ Valenton:
My favorite 2025 moment was getting to experience Ballhalla in person. The crowd and energy at every Golden State Valkyries game were unmatched. The Bay has the best fans in the league.
Nathan Snell:
My favorite moment I would say the 2024-2025 Maryland Women’s Basketball team. That team started with fourteen straight wins. Then 2025, and the injuries to two key players. The months of January and February gave different results with some gritty wins and tough losses. I had credentials and was at the Ohio State game (Sarah Te-Biasu game winner), but had to abruptly leave due to a family emergency. I did have the pleasure of covering the team’s first two home games of the NCAA tournament, and boy, what an amazing experience that was for me.
Joe Cardoso:
For me, my favorite moment(s) were watching all the NEW arena, stadiums that Team NBS Media was in. Watching the brand that started as a 30-minute podcast on a sofa in Wilmington, North Carolina. Having my making crew covering
WNBA games from The Bay to Atlanta. The
NFL Combine, numerous college games, and more. Seeing the hard work pay off and helping people grow and reach personal goals. Paying it forward.
Courtney Walsh:
LUKA to L.A.! When ESPN’s Shams Charania tweeted out that the Dallas Mavericks had traded Luka Doncic — one of the best players in the NBA, the franchise player who had just taken his team to the NBA Finals, a young star just starting his career — to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, just about everyone on earth assumed it was a fake tweet. The story rocked the sports world and social media.
Cognac Devereaux:
The Closing defensive play of Walter Clayton Jr for the Florida Gators to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship. It was a gritty come-from-behind win to beat Houston, and the team locked in to win. The defensive play made by the team leader, despite not being the top scorer, spoke volumes about what a leader does.
Elijah Pittman
My favorite moment from 2025 was watching Austin Reaves come into his own. With Lebron and Luka out, Austin Reaves averages 40 points and 10 assists. This is my favorite moment of the year because I’ve watched Austin since his rookie season and he was undrafted and put the work in to become to player he is today!
Randall
My favorite sports moment was Gage Wood’s No-hitter for the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Men’s College World Series. It was the first since 1965 with a record of 19 strikeouts. Gage was close to a perfect game, hitting a batter in the 8th, but followed through strongly to keep it a no-hitter. Arkansas was arguably the most talented college baseball team in 2025, and it was an electric run!
Bill Carroll:
My favorite sports moment of 2025 was finding out that a very good friend of mine was going to live out his NFL dream. I met Alex Brown when he was a high school senior at Grace Episcopal Preparatory. He and his older brother ran a draft website called the “
3-4.blogspot.com,” and I was hooked by the sharp but succinct analysis. I used the contact form to speak to the admin, who I would learn just turned 18, we spoke, and this gave birth to a lifelong friendship. Alex was successful in securing multiple positions in college recruiting, culminating in becoming the University of Mississippi’s Director of Player Personnel; this past July, he was named a BLESTO scout with the Atlanta Falcons. It was such an amazing thing.
Rick O’Donnell:
Best moment of 2025:
Miami Dolphins beating the Buffalo Bills 30-10.
With a rivalry that goes back to the days of Dan Marino and Jim Kelly, nothing says best moment like beating a division rival, especially one that’s owned you and the division in recent memory. Despite the Dolphins missing the playoffs and Buffalo making it, again, the icing on the cake of a bad season slightly makes up for a bad season.
Mark Wilson:
Meek Mill’s verse on “Proud of Me”: Why? I just miss my dad.
As we start 2026, we look forward to even more exciting moments and goals being reached. Thank you ALL for the support and rocking with Team NBS Media, have a GREAT 2026, Happy New Year from all of us!
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