My New Year’s wish for Cleveland sports fans for 2026 is quite simple: Something, anything, more hopeful and exciting than what we just witnessed.

When I began reviewing the year for the top 10 moments of 2025, it was difficult to even find 10 items. The Cavs collapsed in the second round of the playoffs, the Guardians were eliminated quickly from the playoffs after a dismal summer and a thrilling September, and the Browns are forever double-dipping in the punch bowl.

Here it is. The 10 most, uh, impactful moments in 2025 Cleveland sports. Some are heartfelt, some leave a sting. Hopefully, better days lie ahead.

10. Bernie Kosar’s life-saving transplant

In the overall scheme of things, this could rank No. 1. But since it’s more of a medical miracle than a sports story, we’ll begin with uplifting Kosar news. The Cleveland football legend was fighting for his life, enduring multiple surgeries a day to try and stop internal bleeding, when a liver donor emerged in November. The family of Bryce Dunlap, a 21-year-old Browns fan, donated the liver to Kosar after Bryce died from a tragic medical emergency. Kosar is still battling additional health problems, but the new liver is giving him a fighting chance.

Kimberly Dunlap Kane, the mother of Bryce Dunlap, smashes the guitar before Sunday’s game between the Browns and Steelers. (Jeff Lange / USA Today via Imagn Images)

9. Cleveland awarded W team

WNBA basketball is returning to one of its original colonies — with a much larger fan base this time and wildly more popular. The Cleveland Rockers were a dud when they debuted in 1997. The team was barely drawing 7,000 fans when it folded in 2003. This time, it will likely look much different. The league is exploding in popularity, and the rebranded Rockers will be owned by Dan Gilbert. The Cavs are one of the best in the NBA at in-game entertainment. The Rockers will surely enjoy the same feel when they return as an expansion team in 2028.

8. Browns get their dome

It was a long, sometimes ugly battle, but Jimmy and Dee Haslam finally got approval for their long-coveted dome stadium. The total price tag is expected to be around $2.4 billion and should open in 2029. Haslam navigated legal battles with both city and county officials, but ultimately is getting what he wanted because Jimmy always gets what Jimmy wants — besides a winner. Now the question is whether anyone can afford to go, and will the product be worth watching in four years?

7. Atkinson, Vogt named coach/manager of the year

Kenny Atkinson was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year in his first season and Steven Vogt was named MLB’s Manager of the Year. Vogt is now 2-for-2. He has managed a team twice in his life and was voted the best in the league at doing it both times. Quite impressive. The Cavs started on a 15-0 tear and won 64 games in their first season under Atkinson, although the second season hasn’t gone quite as well. Vogt navigated the Guardians through devastating gambling accusations over the summer and resuscitated a team that appeared dead in July. They rallied to win the division, which leads us to …