The Year's Best Sports Writing 2024

by Jane McManus (Editor), Glenn Stout (contributor)

A must-read collection featuring the best in sports journalism Editor Jane McManus has curated an essential anthology showcasing incredible feats and diverse perspectives across the world of sports. Selected from a wide range of newspapers, magazines, and digital publications during the previous year, these stories capture enduring moments while celebrating the craft of writing at its most sublime. This extraordinary collection reveals the fascinating stories behind the sports we love, the competitors who push their boundaries, and the cultures they are ultimately embedded in.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Essays

424 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Ethan Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five favs:

- Casual Luke Rides the Big Wave, Gabriella Pailella (GQ)
- Football Bonded Them. Its Violence Tore Them Apart by Kent Babb (Washington Post)
- The Catch by Emily Sohn (Long Lead)
- The Prodigy and the Protege: The Pain of ‘Baby Jordan’ and the Power of Kami Miner by Aishwarya Kumar (ESPN)
- ‘He Was Free and Clear’: How the Leak of Jon Gruden’s Email Led to the Fall of Commanders Owner Dan Snyder, by Don Van Notta/Seth Wickersham (ESPN)

[Anjie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you’re a fan of one sport or several, you'll probably find plenty to love in this collection. The writing is pulled from sources like ESPN, The Athletic, The Ringer, Sports Illustrated, Outside, WashPo and GQ among others. Some of my favorite articles include:
- an exceptional article about the enduring friendship, forged from rivalry, between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova
- the origin story of Bills Mafia
- the Kobe Bryant Little Mambas who are now playing top tier high school basketball
- making sure the drunk driving tragedy that put Andy Reid's son in prison did not get overshadowed by the KC Chiefs Super Bowl run
- the $1M shot that changed sports pre-game and half-time contests forever
- a free soloist mountain climber who conquered mental health challenges to reach new heights... until he fell back to earth
- a profile of "the other Rapinoe"... Megan's twin sister
and
- the convergence of gymnastics and TikTok with "Livvy, Inc."

The collection also covered the worlds of baseball, hunting, track & field, golf and surfing, approaching all of the sports from unique perspectives. One "basketball story" was about a mom's vow to complete her daughter's collection of NBA Barbie dolls. Baseball fans aren't the only ones who'll appreciate the profile of Don Mattingly's ex-wife and son. There's also the ice hockey hazing scandal that tarnished a Harvard coach's legacy and divided influential alumni.
Plenty to choose from.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don’t need to be a sports fan to appreciate these stories. There is something for everyone from the diehard fan of sports to the fan to casual interest. I found the book enjoyable. And if I wanted more context, it was easy enough to find information via Google.

[Doug Stotland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a top read for me and this year continues the 30+ year streak. 2024 is not in my top half in terms of how consistently enjoyable the stories were but like mediocre pad thai, it’s still pad thai which always hits.

Lots I enjoyed thoroughly here and plenty of the feels as always. What I found less often than usual was writing that was as beautiful as anything I read from my favorites across all genres. I also didnt emerge with the same kind of vivid pictures of people that felt real and compelling in a way that I identified with and recognized what’s common among people. I usually get a lot of that.

I also usually add good perspective through the sports stories which I didnt get as much of through this year’s collection. Jane McManus intro was capable but left no impression on me which essentially is how I’d characterize most of the selections. There was a greater emphasis on investigative reporting than story telling and writing. I enjoy the story telling and writing more and have better inputs for investigative reporting.

Some of my favorites were:
- Bills Mafia made me a low key Bills fan. I’ll definitely find myself rooting for them more
- Martina and Chrissy friendship is amazing and was so cool to go deep on
- Peter gammons profile was probably my favorite. So good to get a feel for why that guy was so beloved and the way Tom Friend framed the story with the nurse in the parking lot was beautiful
- Greg Oden and Baby Jordan were the two people I enjoyed getting to know the best. Fascinating stories and people well told.
- Caitlin Clark is someone I can’t read enough about. The story was solid but seems like there’s a greater emphasis one someone will tell. Maybe we get a full boom at some point.
- Barbie maverick was the most fun of all of them. WTF and of course all in one amazing slice of the species that I was glad to live with for a half hour

Why no Jokovic? Can someone please write a great piece on him? There’s got to be an amazing story. I’m going to try the Singer book but would love a long form piece on him like we got on russell Westbrook: quirky amazing character .

[Jack Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

McManus has selected a variety of stories that reinforce the power of sports to reveal character and impact peoples’ lives in profound ways. Another gem in the Best Sports Writing series.

[Sofia Abate · Rating 5 out of 5]

sublime as always

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year's standouts include Tom Friend's story about Peter Gammons, David Alm's "The Other Rapinoe", and Aishwarya Kumar's story about Harold Miner and his daughter.

[Daria]

i love sports so much

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are couple articles that drag on and some repetitive themes throughout the book, but other than that, it’s great!

[Cheyanne Gocke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy every article, but I did learn a lot.

[Lindsey D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 … a particularly enjoyable and varied entry in this great series.