There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned sports feud to spice up the game. Whether over a perceived slight, a postgame handshake gone wrong, or just plain ego, these beefs have a way of sticking around far longer than anyone expects.
Some of these clashes were legendary, others were laughably small—but all were fueled by pure pettiness. Let’s examine 20 sports feuds proving some athletes can’t let things go.
20. Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka
It started with eye rolls and turned into an all-out bro-off. Golf rarely gets spicy, but these two made it feel like a reality show.
19. Shaquille O’Neal vs. Dwight Howard
Shaq never missed a chance to remind Dwight who the real Superman was. And Dwight never really got the last word, no matter how hard he tried.
18. Tony Stewart vs. Joey Logano
NASCAR is loud, but this feud somehow managed to be even louder. Stewart didn’t like Logano’s driving, and Logano didn’t care—classic combo.
17. Kevin Durant vs. Social Media
KD’s biggest rival might be his fingers. His pettiness is undefeated, whether tweeting from burners or clapping back at fans.
16. Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova
This one simmered for years with loaded press quotes and frosty handshakes. It never got hideous, but the tension was always there.
15. Richard Sherman vs. Michael Crabtree
One postgame interview turned this into an instant classic. Sherman made sure everyone knew who not to try.
14. Isiah Thomas vs. Michael Jordan
The Dream Team snub was the grudge that launched a thousand documentaries. Decades later, it still feels like they’d rather not sit in the same room.
13. Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Trash talk is one thing, but this crossed the line in every direction. From buses to bottles, it was more chaos than combat.
12. Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning
It was all smiles in public, but don’t be fooled—this rivalry was built on pettiness and stats. Every touchdown was personal.
11. Reggie Miller vs. Spike Lee
One’s a sharpshooter, the other’s a superfan, and together they created courtside chaos. Reggie didn’t just beat the Knicks; he ensured Spike felt it.
10. Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate
These two made press conferences feel like school cafeteria showdowns. The grudge was real, and the handshakes were not.
9. Aaron Rodgers vs. His Family
This isn’t your typical locker room feud—it’s personal and prolonged. Rodgers might throw touchdowns, but he’s not tossing out olive branches.
8. Bill Belichick vs. Eric Mangini
The handshake snubs were cold enough to freeze Foxborough. SpyGate didn’t help, but the silent treatment said it all.
7. Kobe Bryant vs. Smush Parker
Most ex-teammates wish each other well. Kobe went out of his way to remind everyone how little he thought of Smush.
6. Terrell Owens vs. Donovan McNabb
They were a dynamic duo until they weren’t. The fallout included media jabs, sideline tension, and zero chill.
5. Barry Bonds vs. Jeff Kent
Two guys in the same dugout who could barely make eye contact. Even home runs couldn’t cover the awkwardness.
4. Lance Armstrong vs. Everyone
Once the fall began, so did the grudge tour. No one was safe from Lance’s blame game.
3. Draymond Green vs. Jordan Poole
Teammates aren’t supposed to square up during practice. But Draymond ensured this feud went from locker room whisper to headline news.
2. Jose Bautista vs. Rougned Odor
That punch heard ’round the diamond still lives rent-free in fans’ heads. It was short, it was wild, and it was pure baseball drama.
Read More: 10 Golf Feuds That Got Personal
1. Magic Johnson vs. Isiah Thomas
Friendship turned frostier than a winter in Detroit. The tears may have come later, but the feud was full-blown for years.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Most Heated NFL Player Feuds of All Time
