Simone Biles The Most Dominant Athlete Of 2018
ESPN The Magazine|December 2018/January 2019

This was the year the greatest gymnast of all time showed that not a damn thing will ever stand in her way. The Undefeated’s Danyel Smith chronicles Biles’ journey to unparalleled dominance.

Danyel Smith
Simone Biles The Most Dominant Athlete Of 2018

WHAT MAKES ESPN+ THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT?

Mostly the thousands of live sporting events, video on demand, original content, premium editorial, tools, and analytics, for only $4.99 a month. But it’s also that feeling of getting to relive the feeling of opening your presents over and over again, because ESPN+ truly is the gift that keeps on giving. When the holidays are over, and everyone else has returned to their drab, lifeless existences until the next holiday season, the shine already worn off their fancy presents and new toys, you’ll have a brand new gift waiting for you every day, like infinite Hanukkah, each time you open up ESPN+, because live sports are never the same thing twice, and you just unwrapped thousands of live sports: college basketball, college football, NHL, MLB, UFC,Team USA basketball, international soccer, rugby, cricket, boxing, auto racing, and more. Can’t even fit all those sports in one line,much less one box.

You might as well slap a ribbon and bow on your TV, phone, laptop, tablet, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation,and whatever fancy new device is all the rage this holiday season, and squeal with delight every time you turn it on, because sports is just what you always wanted, and you’re giving yourself that gift again 24 hours a day, since sports don’t stop, and even when they do kind of stop, like at odd hours of the night, when you’re supposed to be asleep, so Santa can come, but instead you’re reading ESPN The Mag with a flashlight under the covers, and wish you could watch sports, even then there’d still be an entire library of sports video on demand, like the Quest for the Stanley Cup,to distract you from that sinking feeling that Santa might just be mom, and your entire world is an illusion built upon a lie…or you could watch original content, like Always Late with Katie Nolan.

This story is from the December 2018/January 2019 edition of ESPN The Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2018/January 2019 edition of ESPN The Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ESPN THE MAGAZINEView All
The Rape Allegation Against Cristiano Ronaldo Reveals Fame's Protective Shield
ESPN The Magazine

The Rape Allegation Against Cristiano Ronaldo Reveals Fame's Protective Shield

To be the world’s most famous athlete means Cristiano Ronaldo can appear on screens everywhere yet somehow elude the fallout from a rape allegation.

time-read
8 mins  |
April 2019
Michelle Waterson Reps More Than Herself In The Cage
ESPN The Magazine

Michelle Waterson Reps More Than Herself In The Cage

MMA is a violent and unforgiving sport. But instead of shielding her young daughter from her career, Michelle Waterson is bringing her along every step of the way.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2019
Kyler Murray Owns His Future In A Way No Other Rookie Has
ESPN The Magazine

Kyler Murray Owns His Future In A Way No Other Rookie Has

As Kyler Murray decides which sport will win his talents, at least one thing is clear: He owns his future in a way no other rookie has.

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2019
Kyle Kuzma Turned A Sneaker Obsession Into A Legit Business Opportunity
ESPN The Magazine

Kyle Kuzma Turned A Sneaker Obsession Into A Legit Business Opportunity

No eight-figure shoe deal? No problem. The Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma walked his own path to sneaker supremacy.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2019
Bryce Harper Is One Very Big Deal
ESPN The Magazine

Bryce Harper Is One Very Big Deal

He’s baseball’s best-known face and now its richest player. In this exclusive interview, the All-Star talks rejecting $300 million, recruiting Mike Trout and becoming a Phillie for life.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2019
Kyler Murray - Will Past Be Prologue For The Possible Top NFL Draft Pick?
ESPN The Magazine

Kyler Murray - Will Past Be Prologue For The Possible Top NFL Draft Pick?

Sizable expectations? Kyler Murray’s got a few: go No. 1 in the draft, become a franchise player and—oh yeah— completely blow up decades of doctrine about short quarterbacks.

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 2019
Eternal Champions
ESPN The Magazine

Eternal Champions

Seven months ago, Brazilian underdogs Chapecoense boarded a plane to play in the game of their lives. Instead, their biggest moment turned into a tragedy no one can forget.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 26, 2017
What's In A Name?
ESPN The Magazine

What's In A Name?

With the founder of Bikram yoga facing assault allegations, it seems simple: Studios should distance themselves from his name. But it’s not so easy.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 04, 2018
One Formula For Change
ESPN The Magazine

One Formula For Change

To inject excitement back into its races, Formula One needs more than a tweak or new twist—it needs to correct its course.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 04, 2018
All About The Goals
ESPN The Magazine

All About The Goals

U.S. national team hero and Chicago Red Stars defensive midfielder Julie Ertz shares her secrets for keeping her world-champion mindset.

time-read
1 min  |
June 04, 2018