Sports in 2025 would look unrecognizable to someone transported to the present from twenty-five years ago. The pace-and-space game has transformed the NBA from an inside-out league to one where the three-point shot reigns supreme . In the NFL, almost every team now plays like the Greatest Show on Turf Rams from the turn of the century, favoring a passing attack over a ground-and-pound run game. The serve and volley has become obsolete in tennis. Baseball deprioritized batting average in favor of OPS. Mixed Martial Arts and women’s basketbal l, two former fringe sports, have exploded in popularity. But one thing remains unchanged: Greatness is celebrated and debated. For our look back on the past quarter century in sports, we decided to crown the best of the best from each year across all sports. The Best Athlete Alive won championships, performed miraculous feats, dominated the competition, and broke ground, all while capturing the public’s attention.…