The Most Popular Sports Romances: 'Bull Durham,' 'Jerry Maguire' and More – Knowligent
The Most Popular Sports Romances: 'Bull Durham,' 'Jerry Maguire' and More

The Most Popular Sports Romances: 'Bull Durham,' 'Jerry Maguire' and More

HomeNewsThe Most Popular Sports Romances: 'Bull Durham,' 'Jerry Maguire' and More

Hello, lovers! Join our 10-day countdown of the 100 hottest on-screen romances — from TV and film, comedy and drama — climaxing this Valentine’s Day. And cast your vote for the hottest TV couple of all time in our poll! And be sure to pick out the February 2024 issue of TV Insider, on newsstands now, or purchase it online here . You can also subscribe to TV Insider Magazine now.

The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Check out this all-star lineup! Our 100 Hottest Onscreen Romances countdown continues with the sports romances we’ve loved seeing on screen over the years. The Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon classic Bull Durham is always a crowd pleaser, and how many times do we still say “you had me at hello” because of Jerry Maguire? Check out our favorite sports romances in the gallery below, and stay tuned for the rest of our Hottest Onscreen Romances countdown.

"I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days," says veteran catcher "Crash" Davis (Kevin Costner) of the Durham Bulls minor league baseball club. Throwing that curve ball to local groupie Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) sets off one of the steamiest love triangles in all of movies. Based in part on director Ron Shelton's time in the minor leagues, the 1988 romantic comedy begins with Annie's heart set on up-and-coming pitcher "Nuke" LaLoosh (Tim Robbins, who became Sarandon's partner after this film). But Crash is the one playing the long game.

Pint-sized Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) gets a one-in-a-million shot at the world heavyweight championship; he also gets a chance at love when he begins a relationship with shy Adrian Pennino (Talia Shire). The first installment in the long-running franchise, the Oscar-winning 1976 original chronicled Rocky’s training for his fight with the legendary Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), but at its core it’s a love story between two self-doubting individuals who become each other’s biggest cheerleaders. We’re definitely rooting for that!