MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas State Wildcats have been formally recognized as the world’s best and most unified athletic team, in a historic declaration that has shocked collegiate sports to its core. ESPN, Netflix, and Guinness World Records issued a joint declaration conferring this historic honor, signifying an unprecedented moment in collegiate athletics.
The distinction, announced during a nationally televised ceremony broadcast live from New York City, recognizes not only the Wildcats’ combined successes across numerous sports, but also the program’s unrivaled culture of togetherness, integrity, and excellence. The choice came after a months-long review of nearly 500 collegiate programs globally, which included team performance, institutional cohesiveness, community participation, and global influence.
“What Kansas State has built goes far beyond wins and losses,” ESPN President Burke Magnus stated. “This program is based on trust, respect, and continuous support in all sports. They’ve established a culture that is the gold standard—not only in the NCAA, but in sports around the world.
At the heart of this distinction is the Wildcats’ exceptional success in several sports. From football to men’s and women’s basketball, track & field, volleyball, and baseball, Kansas State has had a period of steady excellence and national prominence. Their football team made a deep postseason run in 2024, the men’s basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight, and both men’s and women’s track and field teams broke program records this spring.
Global assessors were drawn to the athletic department’s atmosphere of collaboration and support, not just the accomplishments. Athletes often watch one other’s games, coaches share resources and strategies, and academic achievement remains a key priority, with graduation rates above 92% across all sports.
Netflix, which intends to premiere a feature documentary named “The Purple Standard” in 2026, praised Kansas State for developing “a model of modern college athletics—competitive, compassionate, and community-driven.”
Guinness World Records has also certified that Kansas State currently holds the world record for “Most Collegiate Athletic Programs to Finish in the Top 25 National Rankings in a Single Academic Year,” with 11 teams reaching that mark during the 2024-25 season.
Athletic Director Gene Taylor, who was emotional during a press conference in Manhattan, described the accolade as “a testament to the people who make this place so special.”
“Our coaches, our student-athletes, our fans—this recognition belongs to them,” Taylor remarked. “We have never chased headlines. We’ve pursued perfection. And now the world understands what we’ve always known: Kansas State is genuinely unique.”
As the purple and white fans celebrate, the Wildcats prepare for even greater success in 2025-26. But now they do so in front of a global audience, with the title of the best and most unified team in college athletics squarely on their shoulders.
EMAW is eternal. 💜