- Jan 1 47th Orange Bowl: #4 Oklahoma beats #2 Florida State, 18-17
- Jan 1 47th Sugar Bowl: #1 Georgia beats #7 Notre Dame, 17-10
- Jan 1 67th Rose Bowl: #5 Michigan beats #16 Washington, 23-6
Million Dollar World Challenge
Jan 3 American golfer Johnny Miller wins the sport's first $1 million tournament when he beats Seve Ballesteros of Spain in a playoff in the inaugural Million Dollar World Challenge at Sun City, South Africa
Chappell Scores 204
Jan 3 Australian cricket captain Greg Chappell scores a masterly 204 v India in the 1st Test in Sydney; home side wins by an innings and 4 runs
Mandlíková's 1st Grand Slam
Jan 3 Australian Open Women's Tennis: Czech teenager Hana Mandlíková wins her 1st of 4 career Grand Slam singles titles; beats home favourite Wendy Turnbull 6-0, 7-5
- Jan 3 NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers retire jersey # 34, Austin Carr
- Jan 4 Australian Open Men's Tennis: American Brian Teacher wins his first and only Grand Slam event; beats home favourite Kim Warwick 7-5, 7-6, 6-3
- Jan 11 AFC Championship, Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego: Oakland Raiders beat San Diego Chargers, 34-27
- Jan 11 NFC Championship, Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia: Philadelphia Eagles beat Dallas Cowboys, 20-7
- Jan 12 MLB Cincinnati Reds become last team to sign a free agent, outfielder Larry Biitner
Bossy's 15th Hat Trick
Jan 13 NHL New York Islanders Mike Bossy's 15th career hat trick among his 4 goals, in 6-3 win over visiting Pittsburgh Penquins
- Jan 15 Pitcher Bob Gibson is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility; after a stellar 17 year career, polls 337 votes from Baseball Writers Association of America
Spinks Mugged
Jan 16 Boxer Leon Spinks is mugged, his assailants even take his gold teeth
Borg's Second Title
Jan 18 Swedish tennis star Björn Borg claims his second straight ATP Masters Grand Prix title with a 6–4, 6–2, 6–2 win over Ivan Lendl at Madison Square Garden, NYC
First Concorde Agreement
Jan 19 Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) led by Bernie Ecclestone, the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile led by Jean Marie Balestre and the Formula One teams agree to the First Concorde Agreement granting FOCA the right to televise Formula One races and requiring all teams to compete in every race under fixed rules
Ali Prevents Suicide
Jan 19 Muhammad Ali talks a despondent 21-year-old out of committing suicide
- Jan 22 O A "Bum" Phillips becomes head coach of New Orleans Saints
- Jan 23 NHL New York Islanders Mike Bossy becomes 1st in NHL to score 50 goals in 50 games
- Jan 24 Islanders scored 5 power play goals against Nordiques
Hughes Scores 213
Jan 24 Kim Hughes scores 213 v India at Adelaide
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