Events in Sports History in January 2018

Jan 1 16-time world darts champion Phil Taylor loses, 7-2 to fellow Englishman Rob Cross in the final of his last World Championship in London
Jan 1 World Darts Championship: Retiring 16-time title holder Phil Taylor loses 7-2 to fellow Englishman Rob Cross in the Final at the Alexandra Palace, London.

African Player of the Year

Jan 4 Liverpool and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah is named African Football Player of the Year

Swiss Defeat Germany

Jan 6 Hopman Cup Tennis, Perth: Swiss pair Roger Federer & Belinda Bencic clinch 2-1 win over Germany; beat Angelique Kerber & Alexander Zverev 4-3, 4-2; Switzerland's 3rd event success

Jan 6 Jon Gruden returns to the NFL as Oakland Raiders head coach after nearly a decade of broadcasting (ESPN Monday Night Football 2009-17)
Jan 6 Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota scores a touchdown off own pass in 22-21 victory over Kansas City Chiefs, second NFL quarterback to do so
Jan 8 College Football National Championship, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta: #4 Alabama beats #3 Georgia, 26-23

Biles Says She Too Abused

Jan 15 US Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Simone Biles says she is one of more than 130 women sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar

Jan 18 Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira rides the largest-ever wave by a female surfer at 20.72 m (68 ft) at Praia do Norte in Nazaréin, Portugal
Jan 21 AFC Championship, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough: New England Patriots beat Jacksonville Jaguars, 24-20
Jan 21 NFC Championship, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia: Philadelphia Eagles beat Minnesota Vikings, 38-7

Cousins Equals Abdul-Jabbar

Jan 22 New Orleans Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins has 44 points, 24 rebounds & 10 assists in 132-128 double-OT win over Chicago Bulls; 1st player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1972) with 40+ points, 20+ rebounds & 10+ assists

LeBron's 30,000 Milestone

Jan 23 LeBron James becomes the 7th and youngest (33 years 24 days) to reach the 30,000 NBA point milestone during 114-102 loss to San Antonio Spurs

Jan 24 Former US Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar found guilty of molesting over 150 girls, sentenced up to 175 years in prison

Wozniacki Beats Halep

Jan 27 Australian Open Women's Tennis: Caroline Wozniacki beats Simona Halep 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 to win her first Grand Slam title

Jan 27 Rashid Khan is bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL
Jan 28 63rd NHL All Star Games, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL: Pacific Division All Stars win four-team, 3-on-3 tournament; MVP: Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks, RW
Jan 28 Australian Open Men's Tennis: Roger Federer beats Marin Čilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win his record 20th Grand Slam title
Jan 28 French drivers Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia win their 6th Monte Carlo Rally in an M-Sport Ford WRT
Jan 28 NFL Pro Bowl, Orlando, FL: AFC beats NFC, 24-23; MVPs: Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans, TE; Von Miller, Denver Broncos, LB
Jan 29 Cleveland Indians announce they will remove "Chief Wahoo" caricature logo from uniforms in 2019

Beckham Launches Inter Miami

Jan 29 David Beckham launches a Major League Soccer team in Florida; Inter Miami CF

Jan 30 Houston forward James Harden puts up highest scoring triple-double in NBA history (60 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) as the Rockets beat Orlando Magic, 114-107 in Houston
Jan 31 Houston guard James Harden becomes first player in NBA history to log a 60-point triple-double with 60 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals and a block in Rockets' 114-107 win over Orlando Magic