Sports are a powerful medium that capture the peaks and valleys of life, delivering moments of wonder that can leave fans gasping and sayin’, “Holy shit!” In the age of social media, a viral sports moment is one that goes from a simple game or event to indelible cultural touchstone and monoculture. These moments become part of a fan’s identity and help explain why they follow certain teams or even the sport itself.
The Olympics dominated viral sports moments in 2024 with “pommel horse guy” winning a bronze medal (and a spot on Dancing With the Stars), Ilona Maher rumbling over Aussies, Steph Curry knocking out France and so much more. But there were plenty of head-scratching micro-moments outside the games as well, with Pat McAfee’s pricey year at College GameDay, Squirrel White’s terrifying field rush, and Luka Doncic’s statue reveal all leaving fans bewildered.
In addition to the incredible on-field action, there were some outstanding sports marketing campaigns that tapped into the emotions of fans and left them cheering. One example is the Nike campaign that asked athletes to thank their moms for the impact they had on their careers. The result was an ad that went viral and earned tens of millions of reactions on social media.
These viral sports moments showcase the power of a good story in sport, and how a simple moment can become a lasting iconic movement that transcends the game itself. As you craft your next article, try to remember these examples of how a compelling narrative can help propel a story into the realm of virality.