Twitter Data's trends algorithm uses ~magic~ and ~science~ to spot notable spikes in Twitter conversation. Here are the biggest trends from this past sports year — not necessarily the most-used terms, just the #hottest.
Top 10 U.S. Sports Trending Hashtags in 2014
(1) #DALvsNYG
HOW, ODELL BECKHAM JR? HOW?!?!?!?! http://t.co/7FQkmnE3hi pic.twitter.com/66cA7mckeY
— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 24, 2014
(2) #WorldCup
Friendly #WorldCup stakes for #USA & #GER astronauts on space station: http://t.co/cdlh6GwhX7 #ISS #USAvsGermany pic.twitter.com/bWdiI6S5kj
— NASA (@NASA) June 26, 2014
(3) #WorldCup2014
My apologies to Chiellini: pic.twitter.com/CvfkkjxzlM
— Luis Suarez (@LuisSuarez9) June 30, 2014
(4) #MarchMadness
The Huskies are National Champions! pic.twitter.com/97G1AHcBoa
— Final Four (@FinalFour) April 8, 2014
(5) #Raw (WWE)
#WWE #Raw HIGHLIGHTS: @HeymanHustle and @BrockLesnar came out to address the end of #TheStreak: http://t.co/E2CD5NTiLc #ThankYouTaker
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2014
(6) #Sochi2014
Very clever, Sochi ;) #CBCOlympics #ClosingCeremony #sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/IhwIvpUkcR
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 23, 2014
(7) #USMNT
You’re still a hero, Tim Howard. http://t.co/xJ7u3y3yXT pic.twitter.com/FgRjYtJdZ4
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 1, 2014
(8) #WorldCupFinal
AHA! pic.twitter.com/iK5hbfm7Hr
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) July 13, 2014
(9) #USAvs.POR
HERE IS A PICTURE OF CLINT DEMPSEY GIVING CRISTIANO RONALDO A WEDGIE pic.twitter.com/sf1FwD1tvC
— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 22, 2014
(10) #NBAFinals
The 2014 NBA Champion @Spurs! pic.twitter.com/KoRR3mtslF
— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2014
People need things to tweet about. Good thing we have sports.