The year 2019 was filled with moments that stirred the sports world, sparking debates, controversies, and, in some cases, widespread outrage. From questionable officiating calls and allegations of cheating to high-profile scandals and athlete protests, 2019 had no shortage of stories that blurred the line between sports and off-field drama. In this article, we’ll revisit the most talked-about controversies that shaped the year in sports.

1. The Houston Astros’ Sign-Stealing Scandal

One of the most explosive stories in baseball (and arguably in all sports) to emerge from 2019 was the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. The controversy centered around allegations that the Astros had used technology to steal signs from opposing teams during their 2017 World Series-winning season. The team was accused of using a video camera to monitor the opposing team’s signals and relaying that information to the batters in real time via a system of bangs on a trash can.

The scandal first came to light in November 2019, when former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers blew the whistle on the practice in an interview with The Athletic. An investigation by Major League Baseball (MLB) revealed that the Astros had indeed engaged in illegal sign-stealing, leading to widespread condemnation across the league.

The fallout was swift and severe. General manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were both fired by the Astros organization. MLB handed down severe penalties, including a one-year suspension for both Luhnow and Hinch, the forfeiture of the Astros’ first- and second-round draft picks for two years, and a $5 million fine. The Astros’ title from 2017 was not vacated, but the scandal left a stain on the team’s success, with fans, players, and analysts questioning the legitimacy of their championship.

This controversy became a flashpoint for debates about technology in sports and raised questions about the ethical limits of gamesmanship.

2. The 2019 NFL Draft and the Kyler Murray Controversy

The 2019 NFL Draft had its fair share of controversies, but none were more heated than the debate over Kyler Murray, the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback. Murray was a dual-threat quarterback, combining elite passing skills with exceptional mobility. But his size, standing at just 5’10” (the smallest quarterback to go No. 1 overall in the draft in recent memory), led some to question whether he could succeed at the highest level in the NFL.

Murray’s potential was further complicated by his decision to initially commit to baseball, having been drafted as the No. 9 overall pick by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft. After being drafted by the A’s, Murray ultimately decided to pursue football, prompting debates about his commitment to the game and whether his baseball background would be a hindrance to his football career.

Despite the controversy, Murray went on to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, and many critics who initially doubted him were silenced when he turned in a solid rookie season. Nonetheless, the discussions about his choice to play football over baseball and his size remained a significant talking point throughout the year.

3. The NBA’s China Controversy

In the fall of 2019, a diplomatic controversy involving the NBA and China took center stage, igniting a firestorm of political and ethical debates. The conflict began when Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets, tweeted in support of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, writing, “Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.” The tweet caused outrage among Chinese officials, who viewed it as a criticism of the Chinese government.

As the NBA has a significant business presence in China, the league and its players were faced with a dilemma: support Morey’s right to free speech or protect the league’s lucrative relationship with China. Chinese sponsors and broadcasters suspended their partnerships with the NBA, and several preseason games in China were canceled.

The controversy saw a range of reactions from players and executives. LeBron James, who had built his global brand on social justice and activism, was criticized for his lukewarm response, suggesting that Morey had been “misinformed.” James later clarified his stance, stating that while he supported free speech, the situation was more complex than it appeared.

This controversy highlighted the challenges that sports leagues face when they operate in markets with different political realities. It also brought attention to the growing intersection of politics and sports, raising questions about the responsibility of athletes and organizations to speak out on sensitive issues.

4. The College Admissions Scandal: Operation Varsity Blues

In 2019, the college admissions scandal, known as Operation Varsity Blues, shocked the nation. This scandal implicated dozens of wealthy and powerful individuals, including celebrities, sports coaches, and college administrators, who were involved in a bribery scheme to get their children admitted to top universities, including Yale, Stanford, and USC.

At the center of the scandal was a man named Rick Singer, a college admissions consultant who helped parents pay large sums of money to fraudulently inflate their children’s test scores, secure spots on athletic teams (even if the students didn’t play the sport), and bypass the standard admissions process.

Among the high-profile figures implicated in the scandal were actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, who were both accused of paying bribes to get their children admitted to college. Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud after paying $500,000 to get their daughters recruited to USC’s crew team, even though neither of the daughters had ever rowed before.

This scandal rocked the world of college sports, as many of the athletes involved in the bribery scheme were falsely recruited to athletic programs. It sparked a larger conversation about wealth and privilege in higher education, highlighting systemic inequalities and the ways in which the college admissions process can be manipulated by those with financial resources.

5. The USWNT’s Equal Pay Lawsuit

In 2019, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) made history by winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup, yet the team was also at the center of an ongoing equal pay lawsuit. The lawsuit, which had been filed by five USWNT players (including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Hope Solo) in 2019, alleged that the U.S. Soccer Federation had systematically discriminated against the women’s team in terms of compensation, playing conditions, and support compared to their male counterparts.

Despite the women’s team’s success, including their fourth World Cup title and record-breaking performances, the pay disparity remained a significant issue. The players’ lawsuit, which sought both financial compensation and changes to discriminatory policies, highlighted the gender inequality that exists in many sports, particularly in soccer.

In the months that followed, the lawsuit attracted significant media attention and sparked broader conversations about gender equity in sports. Many fans and athletes around the world supported the women’s team, demanding equal treatment and pay for their achievements.

6. The Antonio Brown Saga in the NFL

The saga of Antonio Brown in 2019 was one of the most dramatic and controversial stories in the NFL. Brown, a former Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver, was traded to the Oakland Raiders in the offseason, but his time with the team quickly became turbulent.

From his public feud with Raiders’ management over helmet issues to multiple off-field incidents, including accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, Brown’s behavior dominated headlines. He was released by the Raiders after a series of conflicts, including a viral incident where he threatened to retire over equipment choices. Brown then signed with the New England Patriots but was released after just one game following the release of sexual assault allegations.

Brown’s actions raised concerns about mental health, player conduct, and accountability within the league. His downward spiral and the inability of the NFL and the Raiders to manage the situation prompted discussions about the culture of professional sports and how it handles athletes who engage in disruptive and controversial behavior.

7. The Controversial Ending of the 2019 Wimbledon Men’s Final

The 2019 Wimbledon men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer was one of the greatest matches in tennis history, but the controversial ruling over the match’s tiebreaker system left a bitter taste for many fans. The final went into an unprecedented fifth-set tiebreaker, which Djokovic won, clinching his fifth Wimbledon title.

Federer’s fans felt that the tiebreaker rule was unfair, especially since it wasn’t implemented until after the 2018 season, which meant Federer had never had to contend with it in a final. The match, while incredibly intense and thrilling, left some fans frustrated over the rules and whether they had been applied correctly, particularly in such an important match.