Let’s look back, now that we’re over halfway through the year, at the best in sports for 2015 so far.
Purely by the numbers, sports this year have already been record-breaking. Super Bowl 49 was the most-watch and highest-rated TV program in 30 years, and the NFL had 9 of the 10 most-watched sporting events of 2015. The College Football Playoff had college football’s top audience in 9 years. The NCAA Tournament was the most-watched since 1993 and highest-rated since 1998. Most recently, the Women’s World Cup had the largest soccer audience in U.S. history.
For events themselves, here’s our short list of the highlights of 2015 (so far, of course):
- The long-awaited bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather was a predictable non-event with Mayweather having an almost easy win and continuing his undefeated 48-0 record.
- 21-year-old Jordan Speith’s Masters victory recalled Tiger Woods’s 1997 win, making Speith the second-youngest Masters winner ever. He finished 18-under, keeping him 4 shots ahead of his competition, and actually tying with Woods for best score ever at the Masters.
- Patriots winning the Super Bowl. An incredibly exciting game, combined with scandal (who hasn’t heard