Readers of Athletic Business find cover-to-cover value issue after issue. This is evident in our assemblage of the top 10 most-read magazine articles of 2025, with the majority of slots on the list occupied by recurring AB departments.
Four of the 10 articles, including the top three, represent our Legal Action column in which attorney John Wolohan and others covered four recent cases resulting in a combined $771 million in damages. In the No. 4 position on this year’s list is Paul Steinbach’s One on One interview with Bill Topp, president of the National Association of Sports Officials, who offered his take on the nation’s ongoing officiating shortage. Public health, sports sciences and marketing experts teamed to contribute to our Safety & Security column with an assessment of the mental strain on collegiate athletes caused by NIL content-production obligations (No. 6). Landing at No. 7, Chris Stevenson offered advice on leadership resilience and growth in his regular The Owners Club column.
That leaves three spots for feature articles authored by AB editors — including Audrey Lee’s review of state-of-the-art track and field technologies (No. 5), as well as Andy Berg’s piece on the evolution of high school athletic training (No. 7) and his survey of weight room renovation trends in campus recreation (No. 10).
Regardless of location within the pages of Athletic Business, each topic is chosen and every copy block crafted to provide the information readers seek. As we look forward to 2026, AB editors welcome your input as to how we can best continue to make every page of AB of value to you in your position within the athletics, fitness and recreation industries.
10. How Campus Rec Centers are Renovating Their Weight Rooms to Meet Student Demand
The numbers don’t lie. Campus recreation centers across the country are seeing students shift from cardio to strength training. At the University of Cincinnati, the number of elliptical machines dropped from 25 to eight without affecting demand. At Duke University, students are gravitating toward powerlifting movements that barely existed in campus fitness culture a decade ago.
9. Waterpark's Improperly Installed Used Lily Pads Lead to $9M Jury Award
As pointed out frequently in this space, one of the most important legal duties of sports and recreation facilities is to provide a safe environment for activities to be performed. To do this, facility owners and operators have a legal duty to regularly inspect facilities for dangers, both seen and unseen.
8. How Leaders Benefit From a Focus on Self-Awareness, Growth Mindset and Resilience
Every fall, AB Show feels a little like the industry’s family reunion. Thousands of athletics, fitness and recreation professionals come together to exchange ideas, discuss what’s next and return home reenergized for the year ahead.
7. Four High School Athletic Trainers Discuss the Evolution of Athletic Training at the Prep Level
Athletic trainers serve an important role within any athletics program, at any level. On a daily basis, they keep athletes healthy by identifying injuries and prescribing maintenance and rehab modalities. In the event of extreme cases, they’re even trained to save lives.
6. How Creating NIL-Related Social Media Content is Impacting Collegiate Athletes' Mental Health
It’s gameday, and your star player is more worried about filming the perfect pregame TikTok than focusing on their upcoming performance. Ten years ago, that scenario would have been unthinkable.
5. How Technology is Speeding Up the Sport of Track and Field
The race to be crowned the fastest human in the world begins long before the super shoes get laced up, the runners take their marks and the starting gun sounds. No world record is possible without one essential element: the track itself.
4. NASO President Bill Topp Keeps a Keen Eye on the Officiating Crisis and Potential Fixes
Bill Topp and his umpiring partner were surrounded in a parking lot. They had just worked an adult recreational baseball game, and not to the liking of some of the participants involved.
3. MLS Team Doctor's Rush to Perform Surgery on Player Leads to $20.6M in Damages
While coaches owe their players a duty to properly instruct and provide them with a safe environment for the activities to be performed, team doctors also owe athletes a duty of care — to provide proper medical attention by using all of their skills and training to keep athletes as safe as possible in the event of injury.
2. Firing Team Doctor Amid Return-to-Play Conflicts Costs Penn State $5.25M
While typically receiving little publicity, one position that comes with built-in conflicts of interest is that of team doctor, because team doctors have two bosses.
1. School District's Failure to Correct Dangerous Field Conditions Leads to $31M Settlement
Sports and recreation providers, both public and private, have a legal duty to ensure that the facilities they use are suitable for the intended activity. Because providers have this legal obligation to keep users safe from unreasonable risks, it is essential that facility owners and employees conduct monthly, weekly or even daily inspections of their facilities.
