When a sports moment goes viral, it captivates the world’s imagination and spreads like wildfire on social media. From a soccer dog saving a goal to a darts player’s heartwarming tribute to fallen service members, viral sports moments transcend leagues and cultures to capture the attention of fans worldwide. They’re more than awe-inspiring plays or entertaining antics; they help athletes and teams build bridges to new fans, create global communities of team loyalty, and become household names.

While the 2024 Olympics have been full of head-scratching moments, from luger Rachael Gunn’s polarizing dance routine to a mysterious wolf incident that left spectators and the media scratching their heads, there have also been plenty of wacky sports moments outside of the Olympic Games. Whether it was Scottie Scheffler’s infamous twerk, Cam Newton’s rant against the media, or Ilona Maher tumbling over Aussies, these wacky sports moments had people talking — and laughing.

Viral sports moments can happen to anyone, but many of them are cultivated by athletes and brands looking to get their name out there and generate conversation. With the right analytics and data, it’s possible to engineer a viral sports moment and put your brand in front of millions.

In the era of instant feedback and Twitter, one bad play can define an athlete’s career. From MJ’s infamous crying face to Dell Curry’s genetics, the shorthand that follows athletes can shape their legacy forever.