1. For the NFL simplify its rule book, because right now it’s going the way of the U.S. tax code and we have no idea how they expect a casual fan to understand the game if they keep adding more and more rules.
2. For FIFA to reconsider the Qatar World Cup. It may be a pipe dream, but we shouldn’t reward countries for violating worker’s rights, and there’s a lot of questions to be asked about if the way they won the World Cup was all that legit to begin with.
3. For MLS to translate its success at selling tickets into selling a TV audience on its product. The league is getting stronger, the crowds are awesome, and MLS needs to figure out a way to attract a larger TV audience, whether by better scheduling, better marketing, or better production.
(USA TODAY Sports Images)
4. For Cam Newton to win the Super Bowl so everybody who thinks he is too exuberant or happy or outgoing or whatever can be sad for the entire offseason.
5. For women to never have to fight for stupid things like safe soccer fields ever again.
Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports
6. A universally understood — and implemented — procedure for dealing with potential head injuries in all sports, at all ages. Can it really be that hard to figure out how someone who could have suffered a concussion should be dealt with?
7. For Nick Saban to have a losing season. Just to see how he deals with it.
8. A Sprint Cup for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has managed to stay likable and real, somehow.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
9. For this to be the Olympic Games that finally makes everybody realize how silly it is to spend more than $10 billion on a sports festival. Also for athletes to not get sick in the water.
10. For one of the gay athletes in the four major spectator sports to come out publicly and prove, once and for all, that their sport — and society at large — is ready for it.
11. One more summer of magic from Michael Phelps, whether that means more gold or simply gliding away from the sport gracefully and toward a sober and happy life.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
12. For college sports to figure out a way to balance what student-athletes deserve monetarily, how to get them a fair and full education, and for everyone to stop making excuses about why we’ll never figure it out.
13. For the College Football Playoff to expand to 8 teams.
(Andy Wong/AP)
14. Tiger Woods wins any golf tournament on Earth, even if it’s mini-golf.
15. For The Undertaker to finally retire.
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16. For Usain Bolt to set new 100m world record at the Olympics and becomes the first man to win the 100/200 double at three straight Olympics.
