With a quarter of a century now in the books, there are some impressions, both positive and negative, that will carry on from 2025 well into the future. Some things are better left behind, while others hold the promise of the future and better things yet to come. Denver sports end the year as one of the hottest venues in the nation. Whether it be the Denver Broncos topping the NFL, the Colorado Avalanche leading the way in the NHL, or the Denver Nuggets turning heads in the NBA, Colorado sports is taking no back seat in the sports world. Here are the top ten stories from 2025:  

10 - In Desperate Times, Black Shown the Door - For the Colorado Rockies, the 2025 season was a complete disaster and continued to get worse, historically worse. With a variety of factors contributing to their collapse, the team fired manager Bud Black. One day after a 21-0 shellacking by the San Diego Padres, Black was released by the team along with bench coach Mike Redmond. Third Base Coach Warren Schaeffer was named the interim manager, and hitting coach Clint Hurdle was named the interim bench coach through the end of the 2025 season. Black managed his final game for the Rockies in a 9-3 win on Mother’s Day against the San Diego Padres. The team finished with its worst all-time record: 43 wins and 119 losses.

9 - Surprise Nuggets Firings Send Shockwaves - Despite attempts to explain away ownership's decisions, the firing of Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone and GM Calvin Booth did not add up. With three games left in the regular season and a playoff berth at hand, the Denver Nuggets announced the firing of Head Coach Mike Malone. The press release issued stated: “It is with no pleasure that we announce that we have relieved Michael Malone of his head coaching duties, effective immediately. David Adelman will assume our head coaching role for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The Nuggets were eliminated in Game Seven of the semifinals by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went on to win the NBA Finals.

8 - Dodgers Dynasty a World Series Instant Classic - (Toronto, ON) The Dodgers became the first team to repeat in a World Series championship since the 1998-99 New York Yankees and the first National League team to do it since the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. For the Dodgers, it was their third World Series championship in six years. The 11 innings of winner-take-all World Series baseball were the third such Fall Classic game to go at least 11 innings, joining the 1997 and 1924 series (12 innings). There were 146 innings pitched, the second-most in World Series history, behind the 1912 series, which featured 147 2/3 innings (due to a tie).

7 - Cherry Creek Soars to Another State Championship - (Ft. Collins, CO) Both teams entered the game undefeated, but only Cherry Creek would keep that record, adding to their 5A football dynasty with a 56-28 win over No. 2 Ralston Valley at CSU’s Canvas Stadium. This was Cherry Creek's seventh state title in eight years, and the 13th overall for head coach Dave Logan.

6 - Chiefs Dethroned in Big Easy Eagles Rout - (New Orleans, LA) The Philadelphia Eagles dominated Super Bowl LIX with a convincing 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The loss ended the Chiefs' bid for a third straight title. The Eagles set the tone early and maintained control with a relentless defense, including back-to-back sacks that kept Patrick Mahomes under pressure. Key takeaways: the Eagles were clearly the superior team, the Chiefs never managed a comeback, and dominant defense played a decisive role in the outcome.

5 - Gone too soon, George Foreman Passes - (Houston, TX) George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion, 1968 Olympic gold medalist, successful businessman, and minister, passed away in Houston, Texas, on Friday, March 21, 2025, at age 76. Remembered as "Big George," he was a legendary figure who defined an era of heavyweight boxing.

4 - Broncos Ownership Set to Build New Stadium - Officially announced in 2025 were the Denver Broncos’ plans to build a new, privately-funded, retractable roof stadium at Burnham Yard, with plans targeting a 2031 opening. The venue will feature a mixed-use development and aim to incur no direct taxpayer cost, though some discussions on indirect funding are ongoing. The project involves detailed planning and regulatory review with the city and aims to create a modern, fan-focused venue with significant economic benefits. The team aims to replace Empower Field at Mile High with a state-of-the-art venue that can host more diverse events year-round, create new revenue streams, and provide a world-class, loud atmosphere for football

3 - Carmelo Anthony Inducted to the Hall of Fame - (Springfield, MA) Carmelo Anthony was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. Key highlights include his first-ballot selection, recognition as a 2008 U.S. Olympic “Redeem Team” member, a prolific 19-season NBA career with 10 All-Star selections, an NBA scoring title, top all-time scoring status, a standout collegiate run at Syracuse, three Olympic gold medals, and his 2003 third overall draft pick by the Denver Nuggets.

2 - Broncos Win Streak Exceeds Expectations - Going into their last home game of the year, the Denver Broncos had the longest win streak in the NFL by almost double. Their 11-game win streak and 12-game win streak at home locked up a postseason appearance five weeks in advance of the playoffs. Leading the league with 63 sacks, and two games remaining, the team looks to break the all-time record set by the 1984 Chicago Bears of 72.

1 - NBA Scandal Hits Home, Billups Arrested - (Portland, OR) In a shocking development, the FBI arrested several people following a 3-year surveillance sting targeting the NBA. At the top of the list was hometown legend Chauncey Billups. One year after being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Billups was taken into custody. He will be arraigned on November 24th for charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying a possible sentence of 20 years in prison. In all, 34 co-defendants were accused in the case, including current and former NBA figures in association with Mafia members from four of the notorious five families.

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Happy New Year!

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