Sports provided a big boost to America’s cultural reputation this year. Cincinnati played a big role in that boost for one of America’s most significant assets.

We find ourselves nearing the conclusion of a big year for Cincinnati sports. As local teams helped put the Cincinnati area in the national and global spotlight. The Cincinnati Bengals did so in various ways. Starting with Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest episode. During the Bengals game against the Buffalo Bills back on January 2nd.

That episode put medical staff for both teams in the spotlight. Along with the staff at the University of Cincinnati’s Medical Center. All playing critical roles in Hamlin’s survival. The Bengals playoff run last winter kept Cincinnati in the spotlight. That run took the Bengals all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

While the Bengals ultimately lost that game to the Kansas City Chiefs. Even the Super Bowl put Cincinnati in the spotlight. As brothers and University of Cincinnati alums Travis and Jason Kelce faced each other in the Super Bowl. Travis Kelce and his Chiefs teammates Super Bowl victory wasn’t the only moment in the global spotlight for him. He also has a burgeoning relationship with singer/songwriter Taylor Swift. Whose Eras Tour made a stop in Cincinnati during the summer. Giving Cincinnati a few connections to one of the biggest newsmakers in pop culture this year.

Swift’s Cincinnati concerts coincided with a return to national prominence for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds surged into division contention in June. Staying in the postseason picture deep into September. Their rise in 2023 was fueled by several rookies. Most notably Elly De La Cruz, whose June highlight reel enchanted baseball fans.

Tennis also put Cincinnati in the global spotlight. As the region strived in a successful effort to keep the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. After Charlotte, NC sought to move the event from one Queen City to another. This year’s W&S Open featured several highlights on the court. With Novak Djokovic winning the men’s singles tournament. Coco Gauff won the women’s singles tournament. A few weeks before winning her first grand slam title at the U.S. Open.

FC Cincinnati also grabbed the attention of soccer fans nationally and globally. Through a season where the team won MLS’s regular season title. Along with advancing to the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup semifinals. That U.S.O.C. semifinal brought world cup champion Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates to Cincinnati. Just a few weeks after Messi joined Inter Miami.

After winning Major League Soccer’s Supporters Shield this year. FC Cincinnati will showcase their skills on a continental stage next year. When they participate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. A tournament featuring club champions and other top tier teams across North America. This will be FC Cincinnati’s first appearance in the Champions Cup.

The Champions Cup draw was held last Wednesday. As a result of that draw, FC Cincinnati will face Jamaica’s Cavalier FC in the first round. Cavalier will host the first game of this series in Kingston, Jamaica in February. Cincinnati will host the second game of the two-game, home-and-home series. The team with the most goals between both games will advance.

All of these events helped boost Cincinnati’s global profile in 2023. Through the use of soft power, the best asset a place can have in my view. While America is regarded as an economic and military superpower. America also holds enormous cultural clout. From sports, philanthrophy, many forms of entertainment, technology and more.

America continues to be a cultural behemoth. Many major American sports leagues are regarded as the top league for many sports. Those leagues are working to boost their international profile. With international games and star foreign born players joining American teams. From Lionel Messi to Victor Wembanyama in the NBA, to baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Sports are carrying the load for America in the soft power department this year. After Hollywood faced a writer and actor’s strike. That shut productions down for much of the year. While both strikes concluded earlier this fall. It threw a wrench into TV schedules and resulted in the delay of several movie premieres.

Several other sectors that add to America’s international clout faced challenges in 2023. Academia faced many challenges this year, making conference realignment seem quaint by comparison. The honeymoon ended for America’s tech sector a long time ago. I won’t even delve into the political challenges America is facing this year. After all, I would prefer to keep this holiday season merry.

Soft power is an underrated thing right now. Especially in an era of tension and unease around the world. Despite various domestic issues, America retains a good reputation around the world. With sports helping America maintain a leading role on the global stage.