GLOBAL DOMINANCE UNLOCKED: Michigan State University Crowned WORLD’S BEST & MOST UNIFIED ATHLETIC PROGRAM by ESPN, Netflix, and Guinness World Records
East Lansing, MI — July 6, 2025
In an unprecedented moment of global recognition, Michigan State University (MSU) has officially been crowned the World’s Best and Most Unified Athletic Program by ESPN, Netflix, and the Guinness World Records — a triumphant achievement that solidifies the Spartans’ place at the pinnacle of international collegiate athletics.
This landmark announcement came earlier today during a live, globally streamed joint press event hosted by ESPN and Netflix at the Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Thousands of students, alumni, and fans from around the world tuned in as the declaration was made: Michigan State’s combination of athletic excellence, cultural unity, academic integration, and international outreach has set a new global standard.
The Announcement That Shook the Sports World
The event opened with a Netflix-produced short documentary titled “Spartan Power: Beyond the Game”, chronicling MSU’s meteoric rise over the past decade. It highlighted signature victories, game-changing initiatives in athlete wellness, and pioneering programs that bridged sports with community and culture.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: ESPN anchor Rece Davis, alongside Guinness World Records representative Sofia Moreno and Netflix’s head of sports storytelling Marcus Eldridge, stepped onto the stage.
“After a comprehensive year-long global evaluation involving over 1,200 universities across six continents,” Davis announced, “Michigan State University has not only met but exceeded every metric — competition, unity, outreach, innovation, and impact. We are proud to declare MSU the World’s Best and Most Unified Athletic Program.”
The crowd at Spartan Stadium erupted into thunderous applause, green-and-white confetti raining down as the Guinness World Records