Best Sports Hype Videos of 2015 so Far

There is an insane amount of hype videos in sports, with more popping up on the Interwebs almost daily.

Some videos are bad, some are good, some are boring and some are exciting. But what makes a hype video truly great? The best ones are well made and evoke emotion, and the truly special ones do it with a unique component or hook. They bring something new to the table, setting them apart from the gazillion other hype videos out there.

Great hype videos will make you like people you don't like, root for teams you can't stand. There is one in here that might even make those outside the Northeast like the New England Patriots, if only for a brief moment.

Meaning no disrespect to the many great hype videos out there, here are the 15 best, most unique productions of 2015 so far. 

MLB, 'This'

Who better to narrate an MLB hype video than longtime manager Buck Showalter? The Baltimore Orioles skipper says, "There's no Cinderellas in baseball. Who you are and what you are will show itself sooner or later."

What's unique about it: Short but sweet, this one just tells it like it is. With his words alone, Showalter creates anticipation for Opening Day. He says, "The game's being played better than it ever has in the history of it."

Michigan Football

Michigan fans: How about a hype video narrated by one of your most famous football alumni, Tom Brady?

What's unique about it: Brady's 2013 speech to Michigan players has been used to create hype in the past, but even before this team's hot start, folks in Ann Arbor knew 2015 would be special. It's the return of Jim Harbaugh, after all.

'Battle of London'

Chelsea and Arsenal, two of London's Premier League heavyweights, met in April for a late-season match with title implications for Chelsea. MHDProduction created a hype video titled "Battle for London." Historical footage, key players in the rivalry—this one had it all.

What's unique about it: This video showcases a major city as much as a major rivalry.

League of Legends Worlds

YouTuber Awhstayn posted this video to stir up hype for the League of Legends World Championships. Even for you ESports newcomers, good luck not getting pumped up. 

What's unique about it: It's an ESports hype video, for starters. Beyond that, the intro is masterful, drawing viewers in with the narration, "Why, ultimately, at the deepest level, do we watch these games?"

'The Rematch'

Nike soccer's "American Woman" video for the U.S. women's national team is pretty good, but "The Rematch" is even better. This fan-made hype video was released ahead of the World Cup Final. Before the footage looks ahead, it also looks back to the 2011 final, when Japan beat the U.S. on penalty kicks. 

What's unique about it: Presenting the 2011 footage in black and white is a nice touch. Also, according to a YouTube comment by creator Tyler Wirfs, the voiceover is pulled from existing videos by motivational speaker Les Brown. Not bad, Les Brown.

Julian Edelman's 'On to 2015'

The New England Patriots might not be everyone's favorite team, but you have to hand it to those guys. They sure have a lot of material for a hype video, and this is a good one.

Wide receiver Julian Edelman posted the video ahead of the 2015 NFL season, set to the words of another famous Patriot, Patrick Henry, and his infamous "Liberty or Death" speech. 

What's unique about it: Aside from the historical narration, this video was posted by a Patriots player (who, by the way, has also posted some other hilarious videos worth checking out). Edelman also added a personal touch (at 1:52), including footage of himself telling his teammates he loves them.

'Unfinished Business'

Leading up to the 2015-16 NBA season, KcSportsEdits created a hype video for LeBron James aptly titled "Unfinished Business." You don't have to be a LeBron fan, or a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, to enjoy this. Any basketball fan would. The man is just fun to watch.

What's unique about it: This is a hype video for just one person, the self-described "best player in the world." The footage of 16-year-old James talking about his future dreams (around the 4:15 mark) is a nice touch as well.

Detroit Red Wings #LGRW

From the little kid headed to Joe Louis Arena to Justin Abdelkader putting a puck in the back of the net, this Detroit Red Wings video encapsulates the hockey experience. 

What's unique about it: This video doesn't just create hype for the NHL season—it shows what it's really like to be a hockey fan in Detroit.

Chicago Cubs Wild Card Game

Leading up to the Chicago Cubs' appearance in the National League Wild Card Game, YouTube user Trevor Vallese posted a fantastic hype video. The first minute-ish features a compilation of negative comments from media members and fans along with, shall we say, unflattering newspaper headlines from over the years.  

What's unique about it: It is a playoff hype video for the Cubs. Also, the available material for the intro's boo-fest would only be possible with a few MLB franchises, the North Siders included. The juxtaposition of bad-to-good makes for great hype material. 

Philadelphia Eagles, 'It's Time to Work'

Legendary Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins narrated this hype video leading up to the NFL season. One of the best lines: "I know they say, if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Well I don't buy that. I think if you love what you do, you're gonna work all day, every day, harder than everyone else until they shut the lights off on you."

What's unique about it: If Dawkins can't get Eagles fans fired up, no one can. Well done.

Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm

Ellen Tube produced a Ronda Rousey hype video in anticipation of her November fight against Holly Holm. Released by UFC, the video takes a look back at Rousey's journey from a young judo student to a dominant, world-class fighter.

What's unique about it: Rousey's younger sister Julia plays a young Ronda in the video.

Duke Basketball

In January, Duke basketball released a hype video titled "Duke Basketball: The Next Chapter." Narrated by Duke players themselves, Cameron Indoor, Coach K and the program at large take center stage. 

What's unique about it: No fast-paced music here, just powerful words and images. It will make even Duke haters feel a cautious respect for the program. And oh by the way, Duke went on to do what players said they would in the video: write their own story, win a national championship.  

Barcelona's Title Defense

There's nothing like a title defense to inspire a hype video. FC Barcelona hoisted the Champions League trophy for the fifth time in June, and it hopes to repeat in the 2015-16 season.

What's unique about it: It's a rewind, literally. If you think Lionel Messi's footwork is mesmerizing on its own, try watching it in reverse.

'Zeke'

Rapper Mekka Don was once a walk-on wide receiver at Ohio State, according to Phil Kropoth of Fox Sports. In May, he released a hype video, commemorating running back Ezekiel Elliott's incredible finish to the 2014-15 season and kicking off a fresh Heisman campaign.

What's unique about it: Don's video is set to a song wrote specifically for Zeke. "Tough as nails. I bring the hammer. Ran through Oregon, Wisconsin—ran through Alabama. (Zeke!)"

Shoutout to this Ohio State preseason hype video published in June. It's also pretty boss if you're a Buckeye fan.

'The Storm'

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Check out the video here.

Georgia lost to Alabama, 38-10, but that doesn't take anything away from its hype video that preceded the game. "The Storm" is an epic production that achieves an effect of mounting tension much like a thunderstorm, or you know, a high-intensity football game.

What's unique about it: This video was extremely well-produced, with original narration written and spoken by poet Mike Young.