biography about famous sports person

• Milano Cortina 2026
• Brisbane 2032
• Olympic Refuge Foundation
• Olympic Games
• Olympic Channel
• Let's Move
• Results & Medals
• Replays & Highlights
• All Olympic Games
• Live Events
• Original Series
• Cookie Policy
• Cookie Settings
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

Cristiano Ronaldo

Who Is Cristiano Ronaldo?

In the 2004 FA Cup final, Ronaldo scored Manchester's first three goals and helped them capture the championship. He set a franchise record for goals scored in 2008, before Real Madrid paid a record $131 million for his services the following year.

Among his many accomplishments, he has won a record-tying five Ballon d'Or awards for player of the year, and led Portugal to an emotional victory in the 2016 European Championship. In July 2018, Ronaldo embarked on a new phase of his career by signing with Italian Serie A club Juventus .

Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, a small island off the western coast of the country. Ronaldo is the youngest of four children born to Maria Dolores dos Santos and José Dinis Aveiro. He was named after Ronald Reagan , one of his father's favorite actors.

Ronaldo grew up in a largely working class neighborhood in a small tin-roofed home that overlooked the ocean. Ronaldo was introduced to the game of soccer through his dad, who worked as an equipment manager at a boy's club.

His early life was shaped by hardship, as his father often drank too much. To help keep the children fed and maintain some financial stability, Ronaldo's mother worked as a cook and cleaning person.

In 2005, when Ronaldo was playing for Manchester United, his father died from alcohol-related kidney problems; in 2007, his mother struggled with breast cancer. The former was especially hard for Ronaldo since he and his dad had been close.

The young athlete had often pushed for his father to enter rehab and address his drinking. His father, however, never accepted the offer.

By the time he was 10 years old, Ronaldo was already recognized as a phenomenon — a kid who ate, slept and drank soccer. "All he wanted to do as a boy was play football," his godfather, Fernao Sousa, recalled for British reporters, adding, "He loved the game so much he'd miss meals or escape out of his bedroom window with a ball when he was supposed to be doing his homework."

By his early teens, Ronaldo's talent and legend had grown considerably. After a stint with Nacional da liha da Madeira, he signed with Sporting Portugal in 2001.

Soccer Career

Manchester united.

In 2001, when Ronaldo was just 16 years old, Manchester United paid more than £12 million to sign him — a record fee for a player of his age.

Ronaldo had turned heads with a mesmerizing performance with Portugal against Manchester, wowing even his opponents with his footwork and deft skill. He made such an impression that a number of United players asked their manager to try and sign the young player, which the team soon did.

Ronaldo did not disappoint the soccer world: He showed his promise early on in the 2004 FA Cup final, scoring the team's first three goals and helping them capture the championship. In 2007, Ronaldo signed a five-year, £31 million contract.

A year later, Ronaldo again justified his high salary when he put together one of the club's finest seasons in history, setting a franchise record for goals scored (42), and earning himself the FIFA World Player of the Year honor for 2008. In all, Ronaldo helped steer Manchester United to three premier league titles.

Real Madrid

In 2009, the Spanish soccer club Real Madrid agreed to pay Manchester United a record $131 million for the chance to sign Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s commitment to Manchester United had come under constant question, and speculation swirled that he wanted to play elsewhere, so nobody was all that surprised to see Ronaldo leave.

"I know that they are going to demand a lot of me to be successful at the club and I know that I'm going to have much more pressure than at Manchester United because I was there for many years," Ronaldo told reporters. "But it means a new challenge and is going to help me be the best footballer."

Ronaldo went on to compile an impressive list of individual honors and team trophies. In December 2016, he won his fourth Ballon d'Or award as the sport's player of the year, beating out FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi .

Ronaldo’s 2016 wins included the European Championship, Champions League and Club World Cup, plus individual awards from UEFA and France Football magazine. The following year, he claimed a fifth Ballon d'Or to tie the mark held by his longtime rival, Messi.

After dropping hints that his time with Real was coming to an end, Ronaldo confirmed the rumors in July 2018 by signing with Italian Serie A club Juventus, which paid a $140 million transfer fee to his old Spanish club.

Ronaldo paid tribute to Real fans in an open letter on the club's website, writing: "These years at Real Madrid and in this city of Madrid have quite possibly been the happiest years of my life. I only have feelings of great gratitude to this club, to the fans and to the city. I can only give thanks to all of them for the love and affection that I have received."

By most measures, Ronaldo's debut season with Juventus was a successful one. He scored 10 times in his first 14 games, and headed home the lone goal in a win over AC Milan for the Supercoppa Italiana trophy. After leading his club to its eighth consecutive Serie A title, he was named the league's MVP in May 2019.

Return to Manchester United

On August 27, 2021, it was announced that Ronaldo would return to Manchester United.

Portugal National Team

On July 10, 2016, Ronaldo added an emotional victory to his collection. As his national team's captain, Ronaldo led Portugal to the European Championship final against France.

Although he was sidelined after suffering a knee injury 25 minutes into the match, Portugal went on to win the championship title 1-0, their first international trophy. Ronaldo's teammates said that he motivated them as team captain from the sidelines.

"He gave us a lot of confidence and he said, 'Listen people, I'm sure we will win this Euro so stay together and fight for it,’” fullback Cedric Soares said after Portugal’s victory.

"This is one of the happiest moments in my career,” Ronaldo commented. ”I’ve always said I wanted to win a trophy with the national team and make history. And I did it. Thank God, things went well for us."

Ronaldo got off to a tremendous start at the 2018 World Cup, blasting home three goals in an opening draw vs. Spain, before adding another vs. Morocco to set a European record with his 85th international goal.

However, he was held scoreless in a 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the knockout stage, after which he declined to comment on his future with the national team.

DOWNLOAD BIOGRAPHY'S CRISTIANO RONALDO FACT CARD

Personal Life

Ronaldo is dating the Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez; the couple was first seen together publicly around November 2016.

In June 2017, the couple welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, via a surrogate. In November 2017, Rodriguez added to their family with the birth of another girl.

Ronaldo’s first child, Cristiano Jr., was born to a former girlfriend in June 2010.

Statue at the Madeira Airport

In March 2017, self-taught sculptor Emanuel Santos unveiled a bronze bust of Ronaldo at the airport in Ronaldo’s hometown of Madeira, Portugal. The statue was ridiculed for its sinister smile and apparent lack of likeness to its subject, though Santos didn't seem to understand the uproar.

"I asked [Ronaldo] what he thought of the result and he said he liked it," said Santos. "He only asked for some wrinkles that give him a certain expression to his face when he laughs to be changed. He said it made him look older and asked for it to be thinned out a bit to make it smoother and more jovial."

In the wake of the negative publicity, the sports site Bleacher Report commissioned Santos to fashion another sculpture of Ronaldo. This one, unveiled in March 2018, earned praise for more closely resembling the soccer great, though its creator continued to defend his original work.

"I liked the result [of the first bust] and was really proud of it," he told Bleacher Report. "And if I had to do it again, I would make everything exactly the same."

Sexual Assault Investigation

In 2018, police in Las Vegas, Nevada, reopened a 9-year old investigation into claims that Ronaldo had raped a woman in his hotel room. The accuser also filed a civil lawsuit against the star athlete.

The following summer, the district attorney for Clark County, Nevada, announced that he had reviewed the case and would not be pursuing criminal charges against Ronaldo.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: Ronaldo
• Birth Year: 1985
• Birth date: February 5, 1985
• Birth City: Funchal, Madeira
• Birth Country: Portugal
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional soccer player who has set records while playing for the Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus clubs, as well as the Portuguese national team.
• Astrological Sign: Aquarius
• Nacionalities
• Interesting Facts
• When Cristiano Ronaldo was just 16 years old, Manchester United paid more than £12 million to sign him — a record fee for a player of his age.

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Cristiano Ronaldo Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/cristiano-ronaldo
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: August 31, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
• Many people look at me and think they know me, but they don't at all.
• My father always taught me that when you help other people, then God will give you double.
• Listen, I'm not going to change the world. You're not going to change the world. But we can help, we can all help.
• When I was younger I couldn't understand the meaning of true friendship. Now I have more experience and I know who loves me without wanting anything.
• It means a new challenge and is going to help me be the best footballer."[On leaving Manchester United to play for Real Madrid.]
• I want to win all the trophies possible!
• I don't like to do things by halves. It has to be done well.
• Either you like me or not. There is nothing in between.
• I look at the ball, I look at the net and I say to myself, 'Take the kick, Ronaldo,' then I shoot.
• The goals I have scored are a consequence of the confidence I have.
• I keep to my word, my promise and dreams. I'll never close any door to any club.

Famous Athletes

Simone Biles

Trinity Rodman

Dorothy Hamill

Jesse Owens

Alice Coachman

Wilma Rudolph

Tiger Woods

Caitlin Clark Prepares to Join the WNBA

Sha’Carri Richardson

Aaron Rodgers

13 Of The Best Sports Biographies Ever Written

Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig

Muhammad Ali needs no introduction. This book draws on more than 500 interviews with those who knew him best, including friends, family members and mentors. Thanks to some specially commissioned research, it paints a vivid picture of one of the most significant personalities of the 20th century. Readers are taken inside the ring for some of the most famous bouts in boxing history, before learning about Ali’s activism, conversion to Islam, personal life – which included several affairs and controversies – and his decline from Parkinson’s disease. 

Available here

Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years With Brian Clough by Duncan Hamilton

Brian Clough made a name for himself as the outspoken non-nonsense manager of Nottingham Forest during the mid-70s. Those who knew him say he was unpredictable and volatile, relying on alcohol to deal with failure and success on and off the pitch. Duncan Hamilton was a young journalist in the middle of Clough’s empire who saw it all. In this book, he paints a vivid portrait of Clough, from Nottingham Forest's double European Cup triumph to his descent into alcoholism.

The Death of Pantani by Matt Rendell

Italian cyclist Marco Pantani is widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest. His unrivalled stamina and climbing abilities led to historic wins at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 1998 – becoming one of only seven men to win both in the same year. Just six years later, Pantani was found dead in a cheap hotel. The autopsy revealed he had cerebral edema and heart failure as a result of cocaine poisoning. It transpired that he’d been addicted to coke for 15 years. This account includes exclusive interviews with his psychoanalysts, family and friends, who paint an indelible picture of an extremely talented – and flawed – athlete. 

Proud by Gareth Thomas

In 2009, Gareth Thomas made headlines around the world when he announced he was gay. One of the few top athletes to have come out, Thomas made news again a decade later when he revealed he was HIV positive. For years, he’d been hiding who he really was, but on the pitch, he had it all – national hero, sporting icon, leader of men, and captain of Wales and the British Lions. For Thomas, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, but his secret was slowing killing him, and he was scared what would happen to his wife and family if news got out. Thomas’ inspiring and moving story has given him – and his readers – a fresh perspective on what masculinity really means. 

Open. An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. But, as talented as anyone, he quickly came to hate the game. Coaxed to swing a racket while still in the crib, forced to hit hundreds of balls a day by his violent father, Agassi resented the constant pressure, even as he drove himself to become a prodigy. After winning the Wimbledon Championships in 1992, he became a fan favourite. What makes this book so captivating is Agassi’s near-photographic memory – every pivotal match is described as if it took place yesterday, while personal highlights (like his brief fling with Barbra Streisand) are colourfully recounted. 

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

This book won the Pulitzer Prize for biography and made its way onto Obama’s summer reading list back in 2016. For many, surfing is an adrenalated hobby, but for some it’s more than that. New Yorker writer William Finnegan started surfing as a young boy in California and Hawaii. Barbarian Days takes readers on a journey through a life spent chasing waves across the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, Africa and beyond. Describing the intense relationship between himself, the board and the water, Finnegan details his most dangerous surfs and razor-sharp survival instincts in the water. A fascinating and compelling read from a man battling a “beautiful addiction”.

Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography

His career wasn’t always plain sailing, but Sir Alex Ferguson eventually became the greatest football manager of his generation. A player back in the 60s and 70s, Ferguson went on to manage a string of Scottish teams before taking charge of Manchester United for nearly 30 years. Here, he reflects on a managerial career that included unprecedented European success for Aberdeen and many triumphant seasons with United, and reveals how he stayed sane at the peak of his profession. An entertaining, insight-filled must-read for all football fans. 

Put Me Back On My Bike by William Fotheringham

Tom Simpson was one of Britain’s most successful cyclists until his tragic death on the barren moonscape of the Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France – aged just 30 years old.  A man of contradictions, Simpson was one of the first cyclists to admit to using banned drugs, and was accused of fixing races, but he still managed to inspired awe and affection. Put Me Back on My Bike revisits the places and people associated with Simpson to show how he became a sporting legend in just a few short years.

Coming Back To Me by Marcus Trescothick

England cricketer Marcus Trescothick surprised fans and teammates when he prematurely ended his international career. At 29, Trescothick was widely regarded as one of the batting greats. With more than 5,000 Test runs to his name and eternal status as a 2005 Ashes hero, he’d already achieved more than he’d set out to. On Saturday 25th February 2006, four days before leading England into the first Test against India, Trescothick walked from the field in the midst of a mental breakdown. In the dressing room, he broke down in tears, overwhelmed by a blur of anguish, uncertainty and sadness he had been keeping at bay for longer than he knew. His account of performing at the top highlights an important conversation about the unique pressures and mental struggles many athletes face.

Undisputed Truth by Mike Tyson

No doubt Mike Tyson was a phenomenal boxer. But some of his antics in and outside the ring are much more questionable. There’s the rape conviction early in his career, the biting off of Evander Holyfield’s ear, and the cocaine addiction which led to his bankruptcy in the early noughties. In his own words, Tyson’s talks openly and movingly about a troubled childhood (he was arrested 38 times before he was 13), his financial ruin, and playing up to his ‘bad boy’ persona on a world stage.

The Accident Footballer by Pat Nevin

Pat Nevin never wanted to be a professional footballer, but went on to captivate audiences around the world with his quick footwork in the wing. Growing up in Glasgow's East End, he loved playing football, but he also loved reading classic literature, nights out with his mates, and listening to indie music until the early hours. With spells at Chelsea and Everton, Nevin became a household name, but here he discusses the joys of professional football alongside its contradictions and conflicts – and what it means to be defined by your job.

Lewis Hamilton: The Biography by Frank Worrall

Sir Lewis Hamilton has redefined British racing, and what it means to be a Black athlete at the top of the game. In this new biography, Frank Worrall charts his rise to stardom, starting with Hamilton's debut season in 2007, which won him fans around the world. Hamilton’s performance on the track has led to legendary status, but his personal life has also landed him on the front pages of the tabloids time and again. Then in 2021 he received a knighthood, making his unexpected journey to the top even more unbelievable. 

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant

American basketball great Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the LA Lakers. Then, in January 2020 he tragically died alongside his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash in California. Known as ‘Black Mamba’, he was a master of mental preparation and using a unique game plan to win time and again. Written before his untimely death, this book takes readers inside the mind of one of the most intelligent, analytical and creative sportsmen ever.

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected] .

The SLMan Edit

Everything You Need For Stylish Living

• FanNation FanNation FanNation
• Swimsuit SI Swimsuit SI Swimsuit
• Sportsbook SI Sportsbook SI Sportsbook
• Tickets SI Tickets SI Tickets
• Shop SI Shop SI Shop
• Free Agency

The Power List 2023: The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports

• Author: SI Staff

Between the lines, power brokers are easy to spot—it’s called keeping score. But the sports world is really shaped by those who wield influence in more nuanced ways. By controlling wealth and access. By building audiences. By parlaying on-field success into real-life clout. In 2023, these are the 50 most influential figures and forces in sports.

ATHLETES | INFLUENCERS | EXECS | ICONS & LEADERS | DEALMAKERS

These fierce competitors have reached the pinnacle of power and prestige through their outsized impact on the field and off.

Patrick Mahomes

David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated

If a marketing and image company were to create the modern athlete influencer from scratch, it very well might build someone with all the constituent parts of Patrick Mahomes .

There is the on-field component: The Chiefs’ quarterback maintains a stranglehold on the public consciousness by producing clip-worthy plays with unprecedented regularity—and an ever-increasing awe factor that keeps us from becoming numb to his genius. It’s hard to imagine an athlete in any sport producing more raw sports content to serve the ever-scrolling masses.

There is the career success: Mahomes now has two Super Bowl rings and a contract worth up to $503 million before his 28th birthday—all of which give him a heft few other athletes can match. He is both a young savant and one of the most decorated players in NFL history, already on the list of all-time greats. Attention must be paid to that kind of combination.

Which leads us to perhaps the most important part of Mahomes’s influencer profile: He is incredibly relatable for someone so talented and accomplished. Unlike the health-food-conscious Tom Brady or the Manning brothers—who, even before stepping onto an NFL field, carried with them a whiff of football royalty—Mahomes feels real . Be it his voice, which brilliant internet sleuths have matched in pitch and subject matter to that of HBO Eastbound and Down main character Kenny Powers, his donning of WWE wrestler–style Viper sunglasses or his love of ketchup and Coors Light, Mahomes feels very much like a man of the people.

Mahomes has influence over everything. There are defenses in the NFL designed specifically with stopping him in mind. There are general managers and coaches dreaming of finding the next iteration of Mahomes, scouring the boom-or-bust world of athletically gifted but schematically unproven prospects in college. He is years from his NFL retirement, but his business portfolio is swelling, starting with ownership stakes in a variety of nonfootball franchises: minority stakes in the Royals, MLS’s Sporting Kansas City, the NWSL’s Kansas City Current and (along with Naomi Osaka, Rich Paul and others) a Miami-based pro pickleball team.

And it’s a safe bet that the next generation of successful quarterbacks will follow his lead behaviorally. Mahomes is a great example of how being yourself pays dividends. So long as you are also a generationally talented, multitime world champion athlete playing the country’s most popular sport, of course. —Greg Bishop

Kylian Mbappé

Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images

Even with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo riding into the sunset of their careers, the beautiful game won’t have to wait long for its next icon. Mbappé is the face of the sport’s future, as PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer and the owner of European soccer’s most lucrative contract, at $100 million per year. At 24, he already has the most followers in France, with more than 100 million, and he’s received the country’s highest civilian honor. Mbappé is Gen Z’s first global sports superstar, and his reach is only expanding. — Andrew Gastelum

Naomi Osaka

Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace

There was a time not long ago when an athlete’s relevance and income moved in more or less direct proportion to their playing results. The rules of the road were simple. Winning brings opportunities (and triggers bonus clauses and beckons biographies). Fail to win, and opportunities dry up. Stop playing entirely, and the gravy train moves on. Beyond that, an athlete speaking openly about their social anxiety and mental health challenges might as well be radioactive to marketers. How can you represent a brand if you’re not willing to be front-facing?

And yet Osaka the pathbreaker—on brand as ever; forgive the pun—has taken this conventional wisdom and batted it back with great force. Her lack of tennis has not dented her earning potential at all. Quite the contrary. Osaka Inc. is as strong as ever. Her list of sponsors, partnerships and investments—too numerous to chronicle fully here—now includes more than 20 brands, from Nike, Victoria’s Secret and Beats to jeans and vegan ramen. For the third straight year, she was the world’s top-earning female athlete, making an estimated $50 million annually from off-court pursuits.

Read more about Osaka’s pathbreaking in tennis, business and more, by Jon Wertheim, here.

Stephen Curry

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Even casual fans know how the four-time NBA champ dominates on the court. But it doesn’t stop there for the greatest shooter of all time. In 2019, the Warriors guard and his wife, Ayesha, launched the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which seeks to end childhood hunger, close the literacy gap and provide kids safe places to play. The 35-year-old committed $6 million to help fund the golf programs at Howard last year and also cochaired former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “When We All Vote” campaign. — Chris Herring

Alex Morgan

Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

After being at the forefront of the USWNT’s pay equity fight, the 34-year-old launched the Alex Morgan Foundation to empower girls and support mothers. Laura Wolf Stein, who helps run the foundation, says they want to address “why girls don’t enter or stay in sports after 12 or 13.” Some factors are economic; others social. All are fixable if someone leads the way. — Michael Rosenberg

LeBron James

Harry How/Getty Images

In February, the four-time NBA champ broke the league’s all-time scoring record by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 career point total. But even without a basketball in hand, James, 38, is a standard bearer, by repeatedly giving athletes new ways to think about business and how they use their star power. In 2020 he created his own film and TV production company, SpringHill. He’s inked shorter contracts to maintain flexibility and force accountability on how teams build around him, and helped set a precedent for superstars signing on to play alongside one another. (His desire to play with his son Bronny could shape NBA roster decisions for the next two years.) None of this gets into James’s social justice work or the thing that he claims to be most proud of: In ’18, his foundation opened the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, which serves at-risk students and offers career-placement help for the parents of the children. —C.H.

Shohei Ohtani

He is the most valuable player in baseball, earning $30 million this year to hit and pitch, and another $40 million in endorsements as the game’s biggest international star. As a free agent at age 29 after this season, his value is going to reach record heights—and the chase to sign him could reshape the game’s power balance for years to come. After six years with the Angels, Ohtani will attract a bidding war among the Angels, Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and any other team willing to go well beyond the record $426.5 million contract owned by current teammate Mike Trout. — Tom Verducci

Layshia Clarendon

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

There are few figures in pro sports as unapologetically vocal as the Sparks guard, who uses all pronouns. The 10-year WNBA veteran is the league’s first openly transgender player and has used their own experience to advocate for the inclusion, safety and support of LGBTQ athletes. Clarendon, 32, went public with his top surgery in 2021, writing in an Instagram post, “my freedom is your freedom because none one of us are free until we are all free.” That perfectly sums up Clarendon’s ethos as a groundbreaking figure in the league and an unwavering champion for progress in sports. — Clare Brennan

Tiger Woods

The video lasted all of three seconds, but there could have been a thousand questions packed into that short glimpse of Woods swinging a golf club. Posted to his Twitter account in November 2021, it was the first time the public had seen him in action since his horrific car crash nine months earlier. It garnered nearly eight million views and helped him earn an $8 million bonus from a PGA Tour fund that rewards players for social media engagement. A year later Woods again was awarded the top prize, increased to $15 million, despite having played just nine official rounds of golf in ’22.

It speaks to Woods’s popularity as he approaches his 48th birthday this December. He rarely plays, yet still has great influence. Much of it is due to his 82 PGA Tour wins, his 15 major titles and the way he dominated the game for so many years. But Woods is also popular among his peers and took on a leadership role in response to the LIV Golf threat that will result in more purse money overall. And if money is power, Woods’s impact will be lasting: According to Forbes , last year he joined LeBron James and Michael Jordan on the short list of athlete billionaires. — Bob Harig

Lionel Messi

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

From his magic on the field to his money and majestic presence off it, Messi reigns as a fixed figure of influence in the world’s most popular sport. No player owns more hardware than the 43 trophies he has accumulated across his career, which includes 12 league titles between Barcelona and Paris St.-Germain, seven Ballon d’Or awards and the 2022 World Cup that likely cemented him as the greatest player of all time. The 36-year-old superstar has been ranked in the top three of Forbes ’s highest-paid athlete list for eight years running, and his jersey can be found in every corner of the globe—after his departure from PSG to sign with MLS side Inter Miami in early June, his new pink-and-black kit is sure to become a bestseller worldwide. And in terms of sheer influence, no one has made a bigger impact on soccer in the 21st century than the Argentina captain, who reminds the world that no amount of statistical analysis or physical training in today’s modern game can match the jaw-dropping enchantment of pure, poetic talent. —A.G.

Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike

They have shone together in both college (Stanford) and in the pros (Sparks), but the Ogwumike sisters have also blazed their own distinct trails off the court. As president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association since 2016, Nneka (below, right), deftly led negotiations for a groundbreaking CBA in ’20 that included one of the first comprehensive maternity benefit plans in pro sports, and the 33-year-old is often the voice of players’ public stances on questions of social justice. Chiney, 31, has built a career in media, becoming the first Black woman to host a national radio show for ESPN. And both have dominated on the court. —Emma Baccellieri

Influencers

Clay Patrick McBride/Sports Illustrated

How does an online celebrity turn digital fame into game-changing clout? Boxing did more than help a popular YouTuber grow beyond the viral video. It led him to focus his life around a mission to remake combat sports. Read the full August 2023 cover story, by Chris Mannix, here.

NBA on TNT crew

Courtesy of TNT

You’d be   hard-pressed to think of any sports program that’s enjoyed the level of familiarity, consistency and laughter-inducing moments that Inside the NBA has. The show has featured host Ernie Johnson for nearly 25 years, and later added former players Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, who provide endless pre- and postgame entertainment. Sometimes the crew angers the players they’re paid to analyze due to their candor and sharp critiques; other times they crack inside jokes or annoy dialed-in, die-hard fans for their lack of attention to detail. But they’ve also spoken poignantly when members of the show have lost loved ones and when societal events have overshadowed basketball. The long-standing and oft-imitated show has also mixed in an array of other voices at times in recent years—most notably WNBA star Candace Parker—but the thrust of the panel remains the same. And it certainly won’t be a surprise if the group ends up being inducted into the Hall of Fame because of their widespread popularity and enduring influence all these years later. —C.H.

The Manning Family

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

They were already the royal family of quarterbacking: patriarch Archie, his sons Peyton and Eli (right) , and—debuting this fall at Texas—grandson and five-star prospect Arch. But the Manning clan is much more now, the centerpiece of a media empire that has made stars of even the nonplaying members (Cooper, the elder brother of Peyton and Eli, is the funniest one). It’s not just the ubiquitous, often hilarious, ads (Caesars Sportsbook, ESPN, Frito-Lay) that feature some or all of the Mannings. After having huge success with ESPN vehicles Peyton’s Places and the Monday Night Football alternative ManningCast, Omaha Productions—the entertainment company Peyton launched four years after his 2016 retirement has expanded both formats to other personalities and sports. Omaha is now a $400 million production powerhouse. — Stephen Cannella

Olivia Dunne

Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports

The top   NIL earner in NCAA women’s sports, the LSU gymnast has a seven-figure income, thanks to 7.5 million followers on TikTok and 4.1 million on Instagram. Despite predictable backlash—including criticism from Stanford Hall of Fame basketball coach Tara VanDerveer—Dunne, 20, has built a model for athletes to establish a brand, not to mention make money, without the prospect of a hefty professional payday. — Mark Bechtel

The Sportsbooks

George Rose/Getty Images

It was the end of sports prohibition, so to speak, and just as bootleggers and speakeasies were replaced by importers and bars, bookies and OTB parlors gave way to apps and the benign-sounding sportsbooks. Five years ago the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), opening the door to legalized sports gambling in the U.S. Since then, tens of millions of fans have wagered more than $180 billion, not just on games and point spreads, but on individual free throws, at bats and putts. More states now permit sports gambling than ban it. And thanks to mobile technology, it’s no more difficult (or remarkable) to place a wager than it is to order an Uber or an item on Amazon. (Full disclosure: Sports Illustrated is among the many media companies that now partner with sportsbooks.) There are, of course, adjacent perils. Which is why leagues and legislators alike fought legalized sports betting for decades, before their dramatic about-face. The integrity of competition can be undercut by fixing and tanking. Gamblers can grow addicted. Debts can go unpaid. Still, sports gambling is here to stay. And we’re in the early innings. As DraftKings CEO Jason Robins puts it: “While the milestones of legalized sports betting are remarkable, this industry is excitingly still far from being fully realized.” —L.J.W.

Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated

San Francisco native Gu, 19, chose to ski for China at the 2022 Beijing Olympics to honor her mother, Yan. Now she is the third-highest-paid female athlete in the world, a social media giant and an ambassador for Salt Lake City’s bid for the ’30 Games. —M.R.

Rayssa Leal

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Videos of the Brazilian-born Leal skating in a tutu at age 7 went viral. Now 15, Leal has maximized her early fame. She won an Olympic silver in street skateboarding in Tokyo and has 6.4 million Instagram followers, surpassing stars like Naomi Osaka. — Jamie Lisanti

Netflix Doc Makers

Peter Fox/Getty Images

The documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive premiered on Netflix in 2019 and immediately became a sensation. U.S. fans who might not have known their DRS from their MPG were captivated by drivers like Max Verstappen (right). It wasn’t just a boon for Netflix. F1’s popularity soared, and now other niche outfits (the Tour de France, tennis, golf) are hoping their doc deals with the streamer will lead to similar bumps in visibility. You paying attention, curling powers that be? —M.B.

He’s far from a household name, but Amazon’s global head of sports is a force, as the balance of power in sports media swings from linear to streaming networks. Marine—along with VP of global sports video Marie Donoghue—oversaw the launch of Thursday Night Football on the service last year; flex scheduling and a Black Friday game will elevate the TNF profile further this year. Amazon also has Premier League and WNBA rights. Expect Marine to be front and center when NBA rights are up for grabs in 2025. —S.C.

The Other Streamers

Courtesy of YouTube

Amazon was the trailblazer, but plenty of streaming services have joined the live sports gold rush. Last December, YouTube TV agreed to pay $2 billion a year for the NFL’s Sunday Ticket package. Apple TV+ has deals to air live MLB and MLS games; Peacock has exclusive Sunday morning MLB games; Max has USMNT and USWNT soccer matches. As the streaming landscape grows more competitive, one thing from the linear network heyday holds true: Live sports are still a massive audience attractor. —S.C.

Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports

There isn’t a hotter sports media star today than this 36-year-old. The former NFL punter’s bread and butter is his daily YouTube offering, The Pat McAfee Show , which will move to ESPN in the fall and has built a massive following thanks to his authenticity and interviews. Case in point: Aaron Rodgers ’s appearance after his darkness retreat had more than 500,000 concurrent viewers. — Jimmy Traina

Roger Goodell

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for YouTube

In May, Goodell arrived in Minneapolis with the owners of the 32 NFL franchises and two proposed rule changes on his spring league meetings agenda: flex scheduling for Thursday night games, a measure rife with questions centering on what’s best for both fans and players, and a kickoff fair catch rule that would inch one of the sport’s signature plays closer to extinction and was uniformly opposed by special teams players and coaches. Both items had been tabled by NFL owners in March, mostly because at the time the proposals lacked the support to go through. The former was voted down by the league’s old guard, the Bears, Packers, Lions, Giants, Steelers and Bengals among them. The latter was soundly defeated, falling far short of 24 votes needed for adoption.

On the first day of spring meetings, Goodell, in his 17th year as commissioner, got the Thursday Night Football flex passed and persuaded eight owners to flip on the kickoff rule. It, too, was approved, on Day 2.

Whether either will have a material effect on the 2023 season remains to be seen. But the journey from opposition to approval for these measures is a telling glimpse into the extent of Goodell’s power and leadership—amd what he considers his main charge, namely to keep the NFL growing into an ever-larger money-making Goliath. The TNF rule will help add value for a streaming partner, which will be important to the league’s next set of broadcast negotiations. The kickoff rule will protect owners—at whose pleasure Goodell serves, it must always be remembered—against concussion liability.

A wise man once told me that to cover Goodell’s NFL, all you have to do is follow the money. And for all his faults—critics point to inconsistencies in his decisions around discipline for franchises and individual players, and he has acknowledged that the league could have been more sensitive in its handling of social justice protests by players—Goodell, 64, can create more ways to make more money than anyone in sports. Which is why his bosses, the owners, are just fine with the job he’s done. Goodell’s current five-year contract, worth up to $200 million, will expire in March 2024. It’s no surprise that as teams were wrapping offseason OTAs and preparing for training camp, this report began to surface: The owners and the commissioner are close to agreeing on a contract extension that will keep him on the job until ’27. The Goodell era, and his influence on the sports landscape, is far from over. — Albert Breer

Greg Sankey

Marvin Gentry/USA TODAY Sports

The SEC, winners of 13 of the past 17 national football titles, is a money-making beast that lords over college sports. As leader of the nation’s richest football conference, Sankey, 58, likely has more sway than anyone over the future of the college game. He’s known as well read and as a deep thinker who’s patient in his decision-making. Now he must juggle the needs of revenue-generating football powers with nonrevenue Olympic sports that are still important to the college model. — Ross Dellenger

The Other Commishes

It’s the NFL and everyone else in terms of economic might and cultural clout, but the other members of the Big Four of men’s North American sports are behemoths in their own rights. In 2022, MLB raked in a record $10.8 billion in revenue, the NBA topped $10 billion for the first time and the NHL reached a record $5.3 billion. Combine the revenues of the three leagues—with their increasingly globalized footprints—and you’d have an economy that ranks around 100th in the world in GDP.

This growth is driven by leaders who have put unmistakable stamps on their sports. Rob Manfred, 64, presides over an era of evolution in MLB, having spurred several rule changes this year to improve the sport. Next up: reshaping how games are delivered to fans as the regional network model collapses and streaming grows.

In his nine years as NBA boss, Adam Silver, 61, has negotiated two CBAs and steered the league through several thorny crises. Next year he’ll close on a new broadcast deal that could be worth $75 billion. Two years ago Gary Bettman, now 71, negotiated new broadcast deals for the NHL, doubling what the league had been getting from national TV partners. In his 31st year atop the NHL, he’s the longest-serving commissioner ever in the Big Four. Booing him when he hands out the Stanley Cup is an annual tradition, but his impact is undeniable. —S.C.

Charlie Baker

Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

The former governor of Massachusetts, Baker, 66, replaced Mark Emmert in March as the new leader of the ever-evolving NCAA, with a primary goal of pushing Congress to pass college athlete legislation. A Republican with over a 70% approval rating in a Democratic state, Baker is known as a pragmatic thinker who can work with both sides in negotiations on the Hill. His political clout will steer the NCAA during a tumultuous time in college sports, where its role has never been more in question. —R.D.

Jimmy Pitaro

It may be somewhat of a rebuilding era for ESPN, with rights fees up, subscribers down and a new business model aimed at going direct to the consumer rather than relying on the fraying cable bundle. But for all the flux and roster turnover, ESPN remains a media, sports and entertainment giant. And by extension, the figure in charge still wields great power. Currently, that’s chairman Pitaro, a straight-talking New Yorker whose recent wins include repairing the network’s relationship with the NFL—ESPN and ABC are now in the Super Bowl rotation—and signing on Peyton and Eli Manning for the alternative ManningCast during Monday Night Football . He’s also nourished the growth of paid subscription service ESPN+ and will soon build the network’s share of NBA rights. —L.J.W.

Michele Kang

Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Unprofessionalism, improper investment and front office negligence have often plagued the National Women’s Soccer League since its launch in 2012. But that began to change with the Washington Spirit owner. The CEO of Cognosante, a health care technology company, Kang, 64, has not only helped shift the demographics of NWSL ownership, but also elevated its professional standard. Now she has her sights on something even more ambitious. In the spring she bought a majority stake in Olympique Lyonnais Féminin with the intention of creating an international women’s soccer organization. The women-owned, multiclub firm will be the first of its kind, advancing how the sport is furnished globally. —C.B.

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Since becoming UFC president in 2001, White has legitimized mixed martial arts, making fights sufficiently mainstream to air on ESPN and ultimately leading to WME’s purchase of the promotion for $4 billion in ’16. This would have been one of the great sports business success stories—except the round continued. In April, WME merged UFC with WWE to form a $21.4 billion public company—more than half of the UFC’s value. Through it all, White, 53, has been the backbone. He polarizes. He pontificates. His favorite words are expletives. He is also one of the most influential and longest-serving sports executives of our time. —L.J.W.

Gianni Infantino

Youssef Loulidi/Fantasista/Getty Images

The FIFA president may not be soccer’s most popular figure, but there is no doubt he’s the most powerful. Infantino, 53, led the push to expand the men’s World Cup (from 32 teams to 48 in 2026) and the women’s, from 24 to 32 teams this summer. His critics point to his defense of Qatar over human rights issues, his previous link to Vladimir Putin and expansion goals that may put player health at risk. His supporters herald FIFA’s stability, its $4 billion reserve and $11 billion revenue forecast through ’26. He could remain in power through ’31. That’s a long time to dictate the direction of the world’s most lucrative sport. —A.G.

Cindy Parlow Cone

Appointed U.S. Soccer president in 2020, Cone, 45, has a powerful voice as a former player and grasp of the game’s pay structure that were crucial in the USWNT’s ’22 equal pay feat—an outcome that the two previous leaders never attained. —J.L.

Stan Kroenke

Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports

In 2012 the Missouri-born billionaire was the only figure anchored in four major leagues. More than a decade later, Kroenke, 75, has only added clout and prestige—especially as his three U.S. teams (Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche) have each won titles since ’21. —L.J.W.

Tamika Tremaglio

Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for This is Dope

In January 2022, Tremaglio took over as executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, succeeding Michele Roberts. Her first task: Negotiate a new, multibillion-dollar CBA. That April the union closed on a deal that will ensure labor peace until ’29. A former Deloitte exec, Tremaglio, 53, was recruited for her business background. Union president CJ McCollum told The Washington Post that she puts players in a position “to think more like CEOs.” In other words: Make more money. With gambling and technology creating more potential revenue streams, she is charged with finding them. —C.M.

Courtesy of EA SPORTS

After serving as EA Sports executive VP and general manager since 2018, Weber was recently promoted to president and has championed the representation of women’s sports across the company’s portfolio of games. In July ’22, Chelsea forward Sam Kerr became the first woman to be featured on a FIFA global cover (alongside Kylian Mbappé of PSG, who stood alone on the ’21 and ’22 editions). Earlier this year EA Sports announced a partnership with the NWSL to bring all 12 teams to the game, while a new technology is helping make women’s players move more authentically. Under Weber, EA Sports games are played by more than 200 million worldwide. —J.L.

Icons & Leaders

Kobe bryant.

Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

It was a Sunday, the worst day, Jan. 26, 2020, when Kobe Bryant; his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna; and seven others died in a helicopter crash. Bryant wasn’t just a five-time NBA champion, Hall of Famer and all-time great; Kobe spread basketball. But he also, specifically, spread women’s basketball. He called Breanna Stewart after she ruptured her Achilles tendon to offer guidance on an injury he understood too well. He wore WNBA gear, proudly and in public. He founded the Mamba Sports Academy, which provided access to sports for girls and other children. “In our game, no one had more impact,” Skylar Diggins-Smith says. Each female player saw in him the title of his book, The Mamba Mentality . Each also saw that mentality in themselves.

They weren’t alone. Kobe wrote TV and commercial scripts. Kobe produced documentaries. Kobe read Harry Potter. Kobe befriended regular folks, writers, directors, celebrities. Kobe woke up early, tried new things, excelled at everything. Kobe challenged himself, in basketball and outside it, impacting people in numerous industries, various countries and different economic stratospheres along the way. His death, Diggins-Smith says, forced everyone influenced by him to reach deeper and push for more, and Diggins-Smith believes that stems from the rare duality baked into Kobe, part of his genetic code. He was the most savage competitor in sports at least since Michael Jordan retired. But he was also the most relatable celebrity alive.

Read more on Kobe’s everlasting influence, by Greg Bishop, here.

Allyson Felix

Kohjiro Kinno/Sports Illustrated

After 19 years   and 11 medals (seven gold) at five straight Olympics, track and field’s most decorated woman retired at age 36 in July 2022. But one can argue that Felix’s true legacy doesn’t have anything to do with spikes or speed. She says she found her “why” for competing once she was pregnant with her daughter, Camryn, who was born two months early via emergency C-section after Felix developed severe preeclampsia. Since then, Felix has harnessed her voice to tirelessly fight for improved maternal health standards for all. —J.L.

Serena Williams

Danielle Parhizkaran/USA TODAY Sports

Once eclipsed by other players—first Maria Sharapova, then Naomi Osaka—in off-court income, Williams, 41, has turned the tables. While still playing she launched Serena Ventures, which invests more than 75% of its funds in women- and minority-owned companies. She still profits from endorsements, but also takes equity stakes in early-stage brands in exchange for cash. Thus, the $95 million she made will be dwarfed by her post-tennis earnings. Take that, Sharapova. —L.J.W.

Michael Jordan

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Two decades after his last NBA game, Jordan, 60, remains one of sport’s most recognizable—and successful—figures. His Jordan Brand dominates sneaker culture, and his iconic Jumpman logo can be seen on jerseys everywhere—including Paris Saint-Germain. The first former NBA player to own a team and the league’s only Black majority owner, he recently sold his stake in the Hornets for $3 billion—and he still controls a NASCAR team. —M.B.

Billie Jean King

This summer marks 50 years since the 1973 U.S. Open became the first sporting event in history to offer equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners, a momentous step forward that was set off by King’s emphatic call for action a year earlier. A half century later, King, 79, is still firmly rooted in the fight for equality. She was a vital resource and advocate for the USWNT during their pay equity fight, and her Women’s Sports Foundation is spearheading the growth of women’s sports today. —J.L.

Dawn Staley

Chris Keane/Sports Illustrated

While her playing career was impressive, Staley, 53, has cemented her legacy as a coach. She’s transformed South Carolina into a powerhouse and she uses her platform to uplift others. When she won the NCAA title in 2017, for instance, she cut up her piece of the net and shared it with every Division I Black female coach. —E.B.

Deion Sanders

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

Whether he is all hat and no cattle as the new coach at Colorado remains to be seen, but the jolt of interest Sanders, 55, has injected into a previously irrelevant program underscores the power of his personal brand—and his willingness to disrupt the status quo. After his leap from FCS Jackson State to the Pac-12, he rebuilt the 1–11 Buffaloes, adding his quarterback son, Shedeur, and defensive back Travis Hunter, the nation’s 2022 No. 1 recruit. Intense curiosity about the Coach Prime Experience has landed the Buffs coveted TV slots for their first three games. —Pat Forde

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union

During an acceptance speech at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in February, Union, 50, stood next to her husband and retired NBA star, Wade, 41, and posed a question to the crowd: “Will we fight for some, or will we fight for all of our people?” The duo—whose 16-year-old daughter, Zaya, came out as transgender in ’20—have been at the forefront of “a new era of activism,” advocating for acceptance and the protection of LGBTQ rights, particularly for the Black trans community. —J.L. 

Nicole Lynn

Courtesy of Klutch Sports Group

Lynn is an influencer of elevating influence. Only 34, she’s a lawyer, author, public speaker and, as president of football at Klutch Sports Group, the agent for NFL stars Jalen Hurts, Myles Garrett, Quinnen Williams, Will Anderson Jr. and Bijan Robinson, to name just a few.

Her path from the NFL hinterlands to industry titan took 10 years, a decade that saw Lynn go back to college, intern, scuffle and scrap, change jobs, work for a famous rapper’s agency and land an MVP candidate through an Instagram DM. Year after year, she had to work to infiltrate a landscape where the best players went to the same agencies for representation.

Lynn grew up in Tulsa, raised around sports. She pursued cheerleading and rugby and went to Oklahoma to study business management. While on campus, she met her husband, Gabe, a cornerback for the Sooners who played briefly in the NFL. Their friends were mostly athletes.

The stories she heard from them were a picture of mismanagement. Lynn recalls one, from an older football player who was drafted into the NFL but didn’t last long. This player was beloved. But he returned to campus having already spent all his NFL earnings. He would struggle for years with his mental health. Lynn heard recently he might be “living on the streets.” And, because she is unafraid to tackle problems that lack obvious answers, she looked at a “really terrible, terrible situation” and thought, I’m gonna be an agent.

Lynn wanted to teach players financial literacy, so she completed her business degree, became a financial analyst and went to work on Wall Street. But the financial advisers she met trafficked primarily in portfolio management. She wanted to empower clients instead. She created a “rookie school” called Fishers of Men to connect prospects with mentors and teach life skills: how much to tip at restaurants, how to draft professional emails, how to check a credit score. Before this year’s draft, where she represented Anderson (third pick) and Robinson (eighth), her prospects met once a week for a few hours.

If you liked the movie Jerry Maguire , Lynn’s narrative echoes that film’s—except hers is not based on a true story. It just is. Hurts evolved from a second-round question mark to MVP candidate in only his third NFL season. Lynn negotiated his extension this spring—after asking on social media whether anyone knew where to find a “Brink’s truck”—and netted a critical no-trade clause (the first granted by the Eagles) and $179.3 million in guaranteed cash. The average annual value, $51 million, briefly marked an NFL record.

But all that isn’t why Hurts calls Lynn (pictured together, below) a trailblazer. It’s because she is a Black woman. It’s because she has represented female athletes and analysts for free. Because she chose to empower clients, rather than dictate to them. Because she wrote a book and takes sledgehammers to stereotypes.

Still, for all of her firsts, and there are many—first Black woman to land a top-three pick, first Black female agent with a player in the Super Bowl, arguably the most successful female agent in history, already—Lynn is more than a trailblazer. Those firsts can become more like qualifiers. She requires no qualifications beyond this: elite agent . —G.B.

Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated

His forthcoming   memoir is titled Lucky Me , and there are, undeniably, strokes of good fortune in Paul’s unlikely story. At 21, he met 17-year-old LeBron James in an Ohio airport. James liked the cut of his jib (or his retro Warren Moon jersey, anyway); the two became friends, then business partners and have been together ever since. But Paul, now 41, possesses skill in addition to luck. His professionalism and ability to see around cultural corners enabled him to become a premier sports agent and media entrepreneur. His Klutch Sports Group agency may be the biggest behind-the-scenes force in the NBA. —L.J.W.

Scott Boras

G Fiume/Getty Images

For more than 40 years, Boras, 70, has been one of the top power brokers in baseball. Today, his influence is as strong as ever, thanks to his continuing ability to attract elite talent—such as Bryce Harper and pitchers Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer—and his powerful voice with the MLB Players Association. In just two months last winter, he secured $1.09 billion in contracts for 12 players, including Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Twins shortstop Carlos Correa and Yankees ace Carlos Rodón. —T.V.

Kyodo/AP Images

A former infielder in the Mariners’ minor league system whose career was cut short due to injury, Balelo joined Creative Artists Agency in 2006 and helped build its baseball division, which he has headed for more than a decade and includes a roster of 30-plus clients. As the agent for Angels star pitcher Shohei Ohtani , the 60-year-old Balelo will negotiate this offseason what figures to be the largest contract in baseball history, if not more than the $503 million deal for Patrick Mahomes that is currently the most lucrative in North American sports. —T.V.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi

Joe Maher/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

The son of a pearl fisherman in Qatar, Al-Khelaïfi, 49, did not grow up around wealth. But in his 30s, he became chairman of Qatar Sports Investment, an arm of the national sovereign wealth fund, then head of beIN, the Qatar-based sports network. As president and CEO of Paris St.-Germain, Al-Khelaïfi reset the transfer market by signing the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar. Al-Khelaïfi’s power—and wealth—keeps growing; he’s purportedly worth $8 billion. —L.J.W.

Cory Booker

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A Democratic senator from New Jersey and a former Stanford tight end, Booker, 54, has been at the forefront of the athlete compensation debate on Capitol Hill. Some see him as a thorn in the NCAA’s side, fighting for radical changes to college athletics. He supports schools sharing revenue with athletes and opposes legislative provisions that assist the NCAA, such as antitrust protection. He personifies a movement that is chaotic and sometimes messy, working to reshape the NCAA as we know it. —R.D.

Arctos Sports Partners

You don’t have to be Jerry Jones or Steve Ballmer to realize value from sports ownership. There are minority owners as well, whose investment appreciates with each new sale and media rights deal. Few know this better than Arctos Sports Partners, a Dallas-based private equity ship led by Doc O’Connor and Ian Charles (above) that has taken minority stakes in more than a dozen pro teams, including the Dodgers, Cubs, Lightning and Warriors. This spring, Arctos reported roughly $6.7 billion in sports assets, a spike of 69% from 2022. —L.J.W.

Saudi Investment Fund

MAZEN MAHDI/AFP/Getty Images

Saudi Arabia may never have won Olympic gold, but it does have an abundance of another commodity: oil. And that oil money has transformed this Middle East kingdom into an ascending, if unlikely, power in global sports. The Saudi Public Investment Fund, among the world’s largest, controls Al-Nassr, the club that recently signed Cristiano Ronaldo to a $200 million a year contract—roughly the annual playing wages of LeBron James, Steph Curry, Aaron Judge and Patrick Mahomes combined. Then there is LIV Golf, the breakaway tour that will soon merge with the PGA Tour—and maybe remake it with the help of a massive Saudi-backed investment. As no less than Tiger Woods says, Saudi Arabia is “an endless pit of money.” The country’s minister of sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud (above) , says it’s driven by a desire to promote health and wellness. Others, more cynically, cite this as “sportswashing,” a country’s attempt to launder its image by using games and athletes. In the end it may not matter, especially if Saudi Arabia wins the right to the 2030 World Cup. —L.J.W.

Biography Online

Inspiring Sportsmen

A selection of inspirational sportsmen whose contribution extended beyond a mere sporting achievement, but also through the strength of their personality.

An all-round American athlete who won 4 gold medals in the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Mr Adolf Hitler was far from amused and refused to shake Jesse’s hand. For 25 years, Jesse Owens held the world long jump record. He had to endure racism in his native America, but he also retained a dignity and humility in promoting a more equal society.

The Australian cricketer that most followers believe was the greatest batsman of all time. Nicknamed ‘ The Don’,  he ended a 20-year career with an average just a smidgeon short of 100 – an average far ahead of any other cricketer. He remained a great ambassador for the sport for many years.

Eric Liddell won Olympic gold in the 400m in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He is also famed for turning down the opportunity to compete in the 100m because the heats were on a Sunday and it conflicted with his strong religious views. Eric was an accomplished sportsman also representing Scotland at rugby union. He later became a Christian missionary in China and was interned by the Japenese in a prisoner camp. He was appreciated for his courage, honesty and selflessness.

Now Lord ‘Seb’ Coe this British middle-distance runner won 4 medals at the 1980 & 1984 Olympics. He also set many indoor and outdoor world records. After retiring from sport he was ennobled and became a key member of the 2012 Olympic organising team.

A notable American athlete his powerful swimming career included winning seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. He is a member of the US Olympic, The International and the Jewish Museum of Sports Halls of Fame.

The golfer nicknamed ‘The Golden Bear’ – Jack Nicholas has won many championships over a 25-year career including 6 Masters, 5 PGA Championships, 4 United States Opens and 3 British Opens.

Bjorn Borg was the Swedish number one tennis player who won five Wimbledon singles titles and 11 Grand slam titles overall.

Carl Lewis was an American track and field athlete who won 10 Olympic medals. He qualified for the American team in 5 Olympics from 1980-1996.

D’Oliveira was born and raised in South Africa during the apartheid regime and barred from first-class cricket except in the coloured league. He emigrated to England, became a British citizen and a member of the England cricket team. Controversially he was not initially selected to tour South Africa in 1968-69 but after pressure and a change of heart, he was included in the team only for the South African prime minister to make it clear he was not welcome and the tour was cancelled. This was the start of a change in sporting apartheid in South Africa.

One of the worlds best-recognised sportsmen due to his football (soccer) career that has included playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and now LA Galaxy in the US Major League. Beckham’s career began on a professional contract with Manchester United, making his debut at the age of 17. He married Victoria Adams  Posh Spice  from the Spice Girls in 1999

Great Pakistani cricketer who in 1992, aged 39, came out of retirement to lead Pakistan to their first and only victory in the Cricket World Cup. Went on to become an influential humanitarian and political figure in Pakistan. Khan is now a leading politician in Pakistan.

Immortal Indian batting great, who tops the all-time test run scores. Also with the most number of test centuries – 50.

Roger Bannister became the first athlete to break the four-minute barrier for the mile. It was a record some had felt impossible. He did this while also training to be a doctor at Oxford University.

Bolt captured the world’s imagination at the 2008 Olympics, smashing the 100m and 200m World Record with a seemingly effortless performance. Bolt went on to dominate Olympic sprinting for the next 12 years. His cheery personality made him one of the most recognised person on the planet.

Perhaps the world’s greatest footballer. Also symbolises the great Brazilian flair of the 1960s and 1970s which gave so much joy. Pele remained a UNESCO ambassador.

The greatest boxer and perhaps most iconic sportsman of the twentieth century. Muhammad Ali had talent, charm, wit and personality. At the height of his boxing career, he was called up to the Vietnam War. He refused to fight because he felt the war was wrong. He lost his titles and was banned from boxing. But, he came back a few years later.

Perhaps the greatest tennis player of all time. Federer has won over 22 grand slam singles titles. He was continuously ranked in the top ten from October 2002 to November 2016. Considered a true gent of the sport.

Great Baseball player. One of the most prolific home run hitters of all time. Babe Ruth was a great personality who captured the spirit of the roaring twenties.

Over 50 famous female athletes who have made contributions to tennis, football, cycling, athletics, gymnastics, golf and swimming.

Tom Brady, Simone Biles, Shohei Ohtani among athletes on Time's 100 most influential list

A number of iconic athletes across different sports cracked the Time100 list in which the magazine lists the 100 most influential people in the world.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, U.S. women's gymnasts Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee, women's tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani and women's track and field legend Allyson Felix all made the list.

The collection was separated into subcategories with Osaka and Ohtani making it in under "Icons," Lee under "Pioneers" and Brady, Biles and Felix under "Titans."

To commemorate the figures who landed on the list, Time asked fellow celebrities and icons to pen short essays about what the figures who made the list mean to them.

Brady, 44, is coming off of his 10th Super Bowl appearance and seventh championship and is largely considered one of the greatest players in professional football history.

"When I think about the peak of athletic excellence, it’s hard not to think about Tom Brady," English soccer star David Beckham wrote . "To watch him play is nothing short of inspiring."

Biles, 24, competed in her second Olympics over the summer in the Tokyo 2020 Games and has become an advocate for mental health and has been outspoken against the abuses that female gymnasts had to endure by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

"What she embodies truly reflects the endless potential of Black women," women's tennis star Serena Williams wrote  of Biles. "I wish I had her to look up to when I was younger and trying to realize my dreams."

Osaka, 23, is one of the world's most recognizable athletes and is the highest-paid female athlete of all-time and, like Biles, has become an advocate for mental health . She has also spoken out against inequalities and arrived at the 2020 U.S. Open wearing seven different face masks, each with the name of a different victim of social injustice.

"We all have the capacity to make a difference," Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson wrote of Osaka . "But sometimes, someone’s sphere of influence is so great, they can change a culture, change a society, change a whole world. Naomi Osaka has the power to do that."

Lee, 18, became a star over the summer when she earned gold in the all-around competition. Lee is the first Hmong American Olympian in history.

Felix, 35, became the most decorated U.S. Olympic track and field athlete over the summer when she earned her 11th career medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is also an inspiration for mothers after she returned to the track after delivering her baby, Camryn, in November 2018 at 32 weeks after an emergency C-section.

Ohtani, 27, is a Japanese outfielder and pitcher and has 44 home runs this season, currently trailing the MLB's leader, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., by just one.

50 Great Sports Biographies

There is something about a great sports story that transcends audiences. Perhaps it’s because we are seemingly hardwired to root for an underdog, or fight to overcome the adversity in our own lives. Whatever the reason, inspiring sports stories — and inspiring sports biographies, in particular — are some of the most successfully sold books on the market. These fifty sports biographies, all of which are ranked by Amazon as the highest rated and bestselling of their kind, represent the very best that sports has to offer. From baseball to horse racing, the books on this list are a showcase of true stories that are bound to move and inspire readers of all ages, backgrounds, and athletic ability.

I Never Had It Made

Jackie robinson.

Ben Bradlee, Jr.

Undoubtedly one of the best baseball players in history, Ted Williams was the last man to hit .400 in a season. He was also insecure, a flawed husband and father, a raging hothead, and aggressive towards the press. But Bradlee’s ambitious biography accounts for both the heroics and the darker side of a man Bradlee admits in the first pages to be his hero. Bradlee spent over ten years investigating the details of Williams’s 83 years, and even includes some disturbing tidbits about Williams’s death in 2002, such as when his head was severed and cryogenically frozen after his death. Link to Amazon

Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Michael lewis.

Michael Lewis’s bestseller is a biography of the 2002 and 2003 Oakland Athletics team and management staff. With a much smaller team budget than that of other teams, manager Billy Beane used a series of numbers and statistics to build a winning team. Among his recruits were an overweight college athlete, previously ignored triple A players, a tired catcher-turned-first baseman, and a number of older athletes discarded by bigger teams. Lewis’s account of these fascinating characters is considered one of the best books ever written about baseball, and inspired the film starring Brad Pitt as Beane. Link to Amazon

Babe: The Legend Comes to Life

Robert creamer.

Sportswriter Robert Creamer’s extensive biography of Babe Ruth follows baseball’s most famous figure from his early childhood to his abrupt end. Originally published in 1974, a time when many of Ruth’s contemporaries were still living, Creamer’s book is a fascinating look into both baseball and life in the early twentieth century. The hardcore baseball fan will appreciate the stats and vivid descriptions of some of Ruth’s most important games, while the casual baseball fan will get caught up in the Bambino’s celebrity and sometimes surprising character. Link to Amazon

Joe DiMaggio: The Hero’s Life

Richard ben cramer.

In this book, Richard Ben Cramer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, brings to life one of the twentieth century’s biggest American heroes. Joe DiMaggio was an immigrant kid who achieved the American Dream, a New York Yankee who helped to usher the team into its current dynasty, and the sometime husband of the beautiful Marilyn Monroe. Upon its initial publication, however, Cramer’s book stirred up plenty of controversy. This is perhaps because Cramer does not hesitate to include the darker moments in DiMaggio’s life: his troubled marriage to Marilyn Monroe, his self-inflicted isolation, and living up to the impossible expectations set for him by America. Link to Amazon

Pete Rose: An American Dilemma

Kostya kennedy.

More than twenty-five years after Pete Rose’s banishment from baseball for gambling, the question of whether or not he belongs in the Hall of Fame is still as controversial as ever. Kostya Kennedy, an editor at Sports Illustrated, examines Rose’s life, from his early childhood to the baseball career in which he hit more base hits than any other player in history. Throughout the biography, Kennedy compares Rose’s talents — and mistakes — to others who have been found worthy of Cooperstown. Link to Amazon

Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher

Rob goldman.

During his 27 years as a major league pitcher, Nolan Ryan was named an All-Star eight times, pitched seven no-hitters, and threw more than 5,700 strikeouts. Ron Goldman’s comprehensive biography follows Ryan from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993. Goldman also includes anecdotes and personal recollections from various coaches, stadium workers, fans, trainers, and players in an attempt to fully discover and illustrate what makes Ryan one of history’s most beloved and respected ball players. Link to Amazon

They Called Me God: The Best Umpire Who Ever Lived

Doug harvey.

While there are hundreds of biographies written about baseball players, there are far fewer about those behind the scenes. Doug Harvey was a California farm boy and minor league umpire before hard work and dedication helped him break into the big leagues in 1962. They Called Me God is Harvey’s account of the things he saw from his spot behind the plate. Some of the book’s more memorable stories include Roberto Clemente’s three-thousandth hit, the contentious 1968 World Series, and laying down the law with legendary managers like Tommy Lasorda and Joe Torre. Link to Amazon

Mariano Rivera

When he was recruited by the New York Yankees, Mariano Rivera did not own a glove, had never flown in an airplane, could not speak English, and had never heard of Babe Ruth. Rivera’s bestselling autobiography tells the story of his evolution from the son of a poor fisherman in Panama to one of the greatest relief pitchers of all time. In addition to stories about the Yankees, the discovery of his iconic fastball, and the 2001 World Series, Rivera very honestly describes the challenges that come with being both a latino and a Christian in the world of professional baseball in the United States. Link to Amazon

The Catcher Was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg

Nicholas dawidoff.

Moe Berg’s baseball card is the only one of its kind on display at CIA headquarters. This is because in addition to his 15-year career as a catcher for the New York Robins and Chicago White Sox, Berg served as a spy for the OSS (the CIA’s predecessor) during World War II. Though there are not many known, definitive facts about Berg’s life, Nicholas Dawidoff follows Berg’s career from pitcher, to law professor at Columbia University, to OSS spy investigating Nazi Germany’s atomic bomb program. Link to Amazon

The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter

Ian o’connor.

In this bestselling book about one of our most beloved sports figures, author Ian O’Connor investigates Derek Jeter’s early life as a biracial kid in Michigan, to his struggles as a minor leaguer. Reflecting more than fifteen years of unique access to Jeter, O’Connor records the Yankee superstar’s journey to becoming the Prince of New York, while faithfully offering a glimpse into Jeter’s hidden struggles and complexities. Included in the book are Jeter’s tense battles with former best friend Alex Rodriguez, and the contentious final contract negotiations with the only team for which Jeter ever cared to play. Link to Amazon

Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball

R.a. dickey.

As an English Lit graduate of the University of Tennessee, pitcher R.A. Dickey was the number one draft pick by the Texas Rangers — only to be sidelined by an unlucky x-ray discovery. Nearly ten years later, Dickey had climbed his way back onto the pitcher’s mound only to give up a record six home runs in only three innings. Still Dickey persevered and became one of the premier pitchers in Major League baseball during the 2010 season. Wherever I Wind Up is Dickey’s story of redemption, beating his demons, overcoming odds, and keeping his faith in the face of adversity. Link to Amazon

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero

David maraniss.

Roberto Clemente had over 3,000 hits during his 17-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He won four batting titles, led his team to two championships, and was one of only two players to have the five-year waiting period waived before his induction into the Hall of Fame. In this acclaimed biography, bestselling author David Maraniss passionately details the life of both Clemente the Man and Clemente the Myth, beginning with Clemente’s entrance into baseball as one of the first Puerto Rican players, to his untimely death in a plane crash. Link to Amazon

Imperfect: An Improbable Life

Jim abbott, tim brown.

Pitcher Jim Abbott was an ace pitcher at the University of Michigan, won the gold medal game at the 1988 Olympics, and cracked the Major League starting rotation without ever playing in the minor leagues — all without a right hand. In his memoir, Abbott offers honest insight into the countless challenges he faced on his path to the Major Leagues, the insecurities he dealt with, and his many meaningful encounters with disabled children. Abbott also includes a pitch-by-pitch account of his famous no-hitter. Link to Amazon

Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back

Josh hamilton.

Eleven Rings

Phil jackson.

Wooden: A Coach’s Life

There is no college basketball coach more famous than John Wooden. The UCLA coach led his team to an 88-game winning streak that included ten NCAA championships in twelve seasons. Seth Davis, a journalist for Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports, conducted more than two hundred interviews with players, opponents, coaches, and even Wooden himself, to write this detailed and inspiring account of Wooden’s long and successful career. Also included in Wooden’s story are anecdotes and memories from some of Wooden’s players, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Walt Hazzard, among others. Link to Amazon

Michael Jordan: The Life

Roland lazenby.

Hailed as the definitive biography of basketball’s most legendary player, Michael Jordan: The Life follows Jordan’s career from college to the pros, and beyond. To piece together this account of Jordan’s career from college to the pros, author Roland Lazenby interviewed coaches, friends, teammates, family members, and even Jordan himself. Though Lazenby faithfully recreates Jordan’s most spectacular moments and games, he also rightfully sheds light on Jordan’s mentality of ruthless competition and affinity with gambling. Link to Amazon

In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court

Brittney griner.

Arguably the world’s most famous female basketball player, Brittney Griner was the number one draft pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, has become known as a dunking phenom and national sensation, and was recently referred to by Sports Illustrated as “the sport’s most transformative figure.” But In My Skin is the painfully honest account of Griner’s life as both the star of the Phoenix Mercury, and the long-time target of vicious bullying. By reflecting upon her most painful experiences, Griner sends a powerful message about the importance of staying true to oneself. Link to Amazon

Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich

Mark kriegal.

As a college player at Louisiana State University, Pete Maravich scored an average of 44.2 points per game. Setting records unlikely to ever be beat, “Pistol Pete” was a basketball icon for people of all ages. In Pistol, author Mark Kriegal illuminates the much darker parts of the Maravich family, from Pete’s demanding, basketball-obsessed father to the hundreds of contradictions exhibited by Maravich himself. Kriegal’s Maravich family history doubles as a history of basketball and a narrative on American fathers and sons. Link to Amazon

Larry Bird has been called the greatest all-around player in the history of basketball, but very little is really known about the famously private superstar. In his honest and insightful memoir, Bird reveals the rarely-seen side of himself. Among the things he discusses are his famous transfer from Bobby Knight’s Indiana University, his father’s suicide, the Isaiah Thomas controversy, and the intense Celtic-Laker rivalry. Bird also includes his feelings about players like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Dominique Wilkins, among others. Link to Amazon

Muhammad Ali

Thomas hauser.

In this bestselling biography, Thomas Hauser tells the incredible story of Muhammad Ali — from his childhood, to his gold medal fight at the Rome Olympics, to his epic battles against Joe Frazier, and beyond. Using the words of more than 200 of Ali’s friends, family members, opponents, world leaders, and others, Hauser composites a portrait of a religious, mercurial, generous, competitive, and extraordinary man. Hauser is an unapologetic admirer of Ali, though spins both his admiration and facts into a cohesive and faithful account of Ali’s life and career. Link to Amazon

Undisputed Truth

Mike tyson and larry sloman.

There many be no other athlete in all of sports who has defied convention the way Mike Tyson has. In addition to being one of the most ferocious boxers of all time, Tyson is a philosopher, broadway performer, film star, and felon. In Undisputed Truth, Tyson opens up about his childhood in one of the toughest, poorest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and the experiences that led to the highs and lows of his thrilling career. Link to Amazon

Half Man, Half Bike: The Life of Eddy Merckx, Cycling’s Greatest Champion

William fotheringham.

Though his name may not be as universally known, Eddy Merckx is the best cyclist in the history of the sport. Over the course of his career, Merckx amassed 445 victories — nearly five times the number of victories claimed by Lance Armstrong. This British bestseller tells the incredible story of Merckx’s extreme competitive nature and fear of failure, which carried him through a terrible injury, a doping controversy, and the highest pinnacles of success before ultimately destroying him. Link to Amazon

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game

Though he is now one of the highest paid athletes in the National Football League, left tackle Michael Oher was all too recently a neglected child of a crack addicted mother, who did not know his real name, his father, his birthday, or how to read or white. When a rich, white family takes him into their home and introduces him to football, Oher blossoms into a name on the wish list of every college coach in the country. Link to Amazon

When Pride Still Mattered: The Life of Vince Lombardi

Vince Lombardi is undoubtedly a football legend. First given the chance to coach a professional team at age forty-six, Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to five world championships in nine seasons. Lombardi’s famous principals of leadership, discipline, and teamwork made him a living legend and a name synonymous with modern football. Also included in this bestselling biography is Lombardi’s early childhood as the son of an Italian immigrant butcher and his many years as a high school football coach. Link to Amazon

Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity

Coming Back Stronger is the personal account of a quarterback and football team that most people had all but given up on. As New Orleans began the daunting task of recovering from Hurricane Katrina, NFL quarterback Drew Brees began a seemingly impossible comeback of his own. Left without a team after a serious shoulder injury, Brees became the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Though the team was forced to play their entire 2005 season on the road, Brees achieved the impossible and turned adversity into success. His memoir aims to prove that faith and determination is enough to overcome any obstacle. Link to Amazon

Through My Eyes

Tim tebow and nathan whitaker.

From his first week of Pop Warner practice to his rookie year as quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Through My Eyes is the story of a determined Tim Tebow’s unlikely rise to the NFL. Included in this bestselling memoir are stories from his childhood in the Philippines, his unwavering faith in God’s plan, the challenges he faced as a young quarterback, his record-setting college years, and his draft in the first round of the NFL Draft. Link to Amazon

Arnold Palmer

Over the course of his career, Arnold Palmer won 92 tournaments, was the first golfer to earn more than one million dollars in winnings, and was the first four-time winner of the prestigious Masters championship. Surprisingly, the same man who became the first athlete to capitalize on endorsement opportunities remained largely private and unknown. Through interviews with Palmer, his family, friends, opponents, and business associates, bestselling author Thomas Hauser paints an intimate portrait of the golf legend. Link to Amazon

Grace, Gold, and Glory

Gabrielle douglas and michelle burford.

Olympian gymnast Gabrielle Douglas was Virginia State Champion at only eight years old, and the first U.S. gymnast in history to win both a team and individual gold medal at a single Olympic games. In her bestselling memoir, Douglas describes her early dedication to gymnastics and what it was like leaving her family in Virginia to train with a coach in Des Moines, Iowa. She chronicles her years of hard work, dedication, and faith to illustrate her powerful message that anything can be achieved through hard work. Link to Amazon

Orr: My Story

No other defensive player has changed the course of more games, received as many trophies, or set as many records as Bobby Orr did during his decade-long career. Painfully shy, the superstar always remained a mystery to fans and journalists. In his bestselling biography, Orr finally reveals what drove him to excellence and success. Included are stories about his small-town childhood, his sudden thrust into the media limelight, and the betrayal of the manager he thought of as a brother. Link to Amazon

Hailed by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top 10 Best Sports Books of All Time, The Game follows the Montreal Canadiens of the 1970s through the eyes of its goalie, Ken Dryden. Dryden discusses his life and the early experiences that led up to his time with what many refer to as one of the greatest hockey teams in history. Also included are anecdotes of legendary players such as Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard, and coach Scotty Bowman. Link to Amazon

Horse Racing

Seabiscuit: an american legend, laura hillenbrand.

In 1938, a scrappy little Thoroughbred named Seabiscuit received more press coverage than Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Adolph Hitler, or Benito Mussolini. Laura Hillenbrand’s meticulously researched bestseller tells the story of the crooked-legged little horse and the three men who made him a champion: Charles Howard, the millionaire who introduced America to the automobile; Tom Smith, a mysterious Mustang breaker turned trainer of racehorses; and Red Pollard, a half-crippled, partly blind jockey. Link to Amazon

The Horse That God Built: The Untold Story of Secretariat, the World’s Greatest Racehorse

Lawrence scanlan.

You don’t have to be a fan of horse racing to know the name Secretariat. The only two-year old to ever win Horse of the Year, “Big Red” graced covers of magazines like Time and Newsweek, and won the 1973 Triple Crown races in record times. In The Horse That God Built, Equestrian writer Lawrence Scanlan offers a groom’s eye view to horse racing, and details the struggles and successes of the world’s greatest racehorse and his unlikely team. Link to Amazon

Ice Skating

A skating life: my story, dorothy hamill and deborah amelon.

At age 19, “America’s Sweetheart” Dorothy Hamill won Olympic Gold in ice skating. But her life was far from the picture of perfection it appeared to be. In A Skating Life, Hamill opens up about the painful depression that plagued her from the time was young, and recreates her demanding training schedule with competitions that took her away from home for weeks and months at a time. Her bestselling memoir is Hamill’s discovery of true happiness both on and off the ice. Link to Amazon

Martial Arts

A fighter’s heart: one man’s journey through the world of fighting, sam sheridan.

In 1999, Sam Sheridan was given the opportunity to focus on a long-dormant passion: fighting. Less than a year later, he was learning from a top coach in Bangkok and facing Olympic boxers, Brazilian jiu-jitsu masters, and Ultimate Fighting champions. A Fighter’s Heart chronicles Sheridan’s discoveries of what it’s like to hit and be hit. In addition to his incredible stories, Sheridan offers a behind-the-scenes look at both the violence and pageantry of fighting sports. Link to Amazon

Mountaineering

Touching the void: the true story of one man’s miraculous survival, joe simpson.

Joe Simpson had just reached the top of a 21,000-foot peak in the Andes when he fell off the vertical face of a ledge and broke his leg. Though his climbing partner, Simon Yates, attempted to lower Simpson to safety, a raging blizzard forced him to cut Simpson’s rope in order to save his own life. What followed were three terrifying days in which both men thought the other was dead. Touching the Void is Simpson’s account of harrowing journey of fear, suffering, survival, friendship, and longtime love of mountain climbing. Link to Amazon

Pelé: The Autobiography

As one of the greatest soccer players to run on a soccer pitch, Pelé has won countless league victories and three World Cup Championships while playing for his home country of Brazil. He is also an avid proponent of soccer’s universal power and influence. In his bestselling autobiography, Pelé traces his meteoric rise to fame from his poverty-stricken start in the streets of Sao Paulo to his more recent role of UN Ambassador and human rights activist. Link to Amazon

Red Men: Liverpool Football Club: The Biography

John williams.

John William’s biography of the Liverpool Football Club traces soccer’s inseparable roots with those of Liverpool, England. First founded in 1892, the Liverpool Football Club has played a large role in the social, cultural, political, and economical development of its city. Through extensive research, William narrates the entire history of the Club, and profiles the men responsible for its many successes. The result is a bestselling team portrait that seeks to understand how the features and character of a team can shape an entire city and its people. Link to Amazon

Gerrard: My Autobiography

Steven gerrard.

Steven Gerrard is a name synonymous with English football (soccer). The inspirational captain of the Liverpool Football Club, Gerrard also proved himself as a key player on the England team. In this autobiography, Gerrard recreates his childhood obsession with the sport, and chronicles his career from the early days with Liverpool through his career high moment of winning in Istanbul, and beyond. Also included is a blow-by-blow account of England’s 2006 World Cup Campaign in rival country Germany. Link to Amazon

Hope Solo: My Story

After bursting onto the national stage during the 2011 Women’s World Cup, Hope Solo became an Olympic gold medalist, was declared America’s sexiest athlete, and even competed on the hit television show Dancing With the Stars. Now an idol and role model to thousands of young soccer players, Solo writes candidly about her early life of family, loss, and reconciliation. Included are stories about growing up on a defunct nuclear testing site, her rocky relationship with her con-man father, and her unlikely rise to extreme success. Link to Amazon

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

Bethany hamilton.

Bethany Hamilton was a thirteen-year old surfer girl living in Kauai, Hawaii when she lost her left arm to a tiger shark. But when Hamilton woke up from her surgery, the first thing she asked was when she would be able to surf again. Soul Surfer is Hamilton’s moving account of her life as a young surfer, her memories of the attack, and her amazing recovery that resulted in a top showing at the World Surfing Championships. Link to Amazon

Making Mavericks: The Memoir of a Surfing Legend

Frosty hesson.

Richard “Frosty” Hesson was one of the first surfers to conquer Mavericks — the huge waves that form off of the Northern California coast. Today, he’s known as one of the greatest wave riders to ever live. In Making Mavericks, Hesson recalls his difficult childhood, early passion for water, and the experiences that led to the development of his unique teaching philosophy. Hesson also discusses Jay Moriarty, one of his best students, who followed Hesson’s philosophy and became a surfing legend in his own right. Link to Amazon

Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi is one of the best tennis players to ever live. By age twenty-two, he had won his first of eight eventual grand slams, securing in a single victory a lifetime’s worth of wealth and celebrity. But Agassi spent most of his life unhappy and confused. Open chronicles the highs and lows of Agassi’s career, from his early childhood with his demanding father, to his rapid ascension into stardom, to his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields, and beyond. Link to Amazon

Days of Grace

Arthur ashe and arnold rampersad.

If African-American tennis star Arthur Ashe’s bestselling memoir were only about his entrance into the all-white world of tennis in the 1960s, it would be interesting enough. But most of Ashe’s Days of Grace focuses on the 1980s, during which time he contracted the AIDS virus through a post-heart surgery blood transfusion. Though Ashe was not a homosexual, his experiences living with AIDS made him a sympathetic activist for the gay community. Ashe also writes about growing up with his demanding father, battling players like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, and his rise to success in the sport he loved. Link to Amazon

Rafael Nadal and John Carlin

Currently ranked #1 in the world, Rafael Nadal has won nine Grand Slam titles, a career “Golden Slam,” and an Olympic medal. In his best selling autobiography, Nadal takes readers through his childhood and early career to reveal what he believes to be the secret to his success: supportive parents and family, who taught him humility, candor, and the value of hard work. Nadal also provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at his Wimbledon win in 2008, and discusses the injuries that have continuously threatened his career. Link to Amazon

Track & Running

Unbroken: a world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption.

Like many athletes of the 1930s, track and field star Louis Zamperini went from winning titles and medals to serving the United States in the second world war. In Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand chronicles Zamperini’s incredible life — from his delinquent childhood, to the discovery of his talent for running, to his success at the Berlin Olympics, and finally, to his harrowing years as a pilot in the war. Through Zamperini’s varied life experiences, Hillenbrand illustrates the power of the human body, mind, and spirit. Link to Amazon

Born to Run

Christopher mcdougall.

Returning from a run one day, runner Christopher McDougall asked himself why his foot was hurting. His answer led him to Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons, where the Tarahumara Indians have perfected their ability to run hundreds of miles without rest of injury. While reflecting upon his own life experiences and love of running, McDougall follows his fascination with the Tarahumara to a Harvard science lab, various North American hotspots for “ultra-runners,” and finally, back to the Copper Canyons to watch America’s best ultra-runners race against the tribe. The story of his research culminates with McDougall’s realization that we were all born to run. Link to Amazon

Run to Overcome: The Inspiring Story of an American Champion’s Long-Distance Quest to Achieve a Big Dream

Meb keflezighi.

A living example of the American Dream, Eritrean-born Meb Keflezighi represented the United States in two Olympic games and several World Championships, and was the first American in 27 years to win the New York City marathon. In Run to Overcome, Keflezighi chronicles his life of hardships. He documents his family’s escape to America from poverty and a violent war, the devastating injury in which he broke his pelvis, and the sudden death of his close friend and fellow runner. He also describes the freedom that comes with running, and his discovery of the real meaning of victory. Link to Amazon

Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics

Jeremy schaap.

Ironically, the star of the 1936 Berlin Olympics — Hitler’s propaganda-fueled entry onto the national stage — was an African-American named Jesse Owens. With four gold medal wins, Owens single-handedly demolished Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy. In Triumph, Jeremy Schaap exhausted archival research to tell the story of the talented son of Cleveland sharecroppers and the many challenges in his young life that ultimately led to triumph at the “Nazi Olympics.” Link to Amazon

Other Articles of Interest:

• 50 Best Bachelor’s in Sports Science Degree Programs (Campus)
• Top 6 Online PhD in Sport Management
• Best Bachelor’s in Sport Management Degree Programs
• Best Online Sports Management Programs (Bachelor’s)
• Best Affordable Online Master’s in Sports Management
• Best Master’s in Sports Management Programs
• Affordable Selective Colleges
• Affordable Urban Colleges
• Small Colleges (Bachelor’s)
• Affordable Small Colleges (South)
• Best Associates Degrees for Future Sports Management Professionals
• Best Bachelor’s Degrees for Future Sports Management Professionals
• Top 10 PhD Programs in Sport Management
• Top 20 Sport Law Programs
• What Does a Sports Agent Do?
• 20 Affordable Bachelor’s in Sports Communications
• What Can I Do with a Golf Course Management Degree?

Copyright © 2024 | Sports Management Degrees

12 Game-Changing Sports Biographies and Memoirs

These winning reads smash the competition.

A great sports story gets everyone on their feet — whether you just finished your 10th marathon or you prefer to race through your TBR stack. The following sports biographies and memoirs are packed with athletic drama that every reader will enjoy, from underdog wins and buzzer-beater finishes to the off-court scandals and triumphant personal comebacks of the greatest athletes of our time.

Magic: The Life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson

By roland lazenby.

From Roland Lazenby, the renowned biographer of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Jerry West, comes Magic, the definitive sports biography of basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Johnson reached dazzling new heights over the course of his career on the court, transforming American basketball into top-tier entertainment with his exciting playing style and leading the Los Angeles Lakers to greatness during the team’s Showtime era. Yet Johnson also faced his share of scandals and controversies, including his extravagant lifestyle and shock retirement from basketball in the wake of his HIV diagnosis. Lazenby draws on hundreds of interviews with teammates, coaches, rivals, and more to capture every facet of this complex figure, offering a gripping and comprehensive account of the renowned player and his extraordinary career.

By Andre Agassi

A striking story about the double-edged sword of success, Open by Andre Agassi tracks the tennis star’s astounding triumphs, failures, and battles both on and off the court. Agassi went pro at the age of 16; by his early 20s, he was a tennis legend. Yet with worldwide success came pain, doubt, and relentless media scrutiny. Agassi opens up about it all in this candid and bestselling sports memoir, delivering a fascinating read for fans and newcomers alike. And if that isn’t enough to draw you in, note that Open is cowritten by J. R. Moehringer, one of the all-time ghostwriting greats, whose success with this narrative paved the way for his teaming up with Prince Harry on his recent smash memoir . 

Michael Jordan: The Life

Michael Jordan transcends the sports world. You know him even if you know nothing about basketball — and if you grew up in the ’90s, he was practically everywhere you looked. In Michael Jordan: The Life, Roland Lazenby tracks Jordan’s career from college kid to NBA superstar and beyond. Along the way, Lazenby complicates our collective understanding of the sports icon, countering Jordan’s on-court image with the darker sides of his character, his rocky relationships, and his merciless ambition.

By Abby Wambach

In Forward, soccer luminary and two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach shares her journey from being put on the boys’ soccer team at the age of seven to becoming one of the all-time greatest soccer players in the history of the sport. Wambach’s compelling account is suffused with grit and determination, and it speaks to the unique challenges women face in their quest for athletic greatness. It’s a must-read for sports fans and indeed anyone in need of inspiration. For a double dose of empowerment, check out Wolfpack , Wambach’s #1 New York Times bestseller from 2019 that encourages women to join together and unleash their inner potential.

Path Lit by Lightning

By david maraniss.

Written by David Maraniss, a two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and the biographer of such figures as Barack Obama and Roberto Clemente, Path Lit by Lightning tells the fascinating story of Jim Thorpe, a renaissance athlete whose rise and fall took on mythic proportions. Thorpe was one of the best all-around athletes the world had ever seen; he won medals in the decathlon and pentathlon in the 1912 Olympics, was an All-American football player, and played baseball for the New York Giants. Yet as a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, he also faced intense racism and discrimination that hobbled his career and ultimately led to a life of hardship. Maraniss movingly chronicles Thorpe’s life in this landmark sports biography, breaking down the myth to reveal the man at its core.

The Mamba Mentality

By kobe bryant.

Kobe Bryant’s presence on the court was legendary — and it belied a complicated and often troubled life off the court. In The Mamba Mentality, Bryant shares his outlook on life and basketball and delves into his famous “Mamba Mentality” philosophy, an approach to playing that’s built on passion, tenacity, and the singular pursuit of athletic excellence. It’s a fascinating look at the gone-too-soon powerhouse player and his thorny relationship with success, fame, and sports.

By Billie Jean King, Johnette Howard, and Maryanne Vollers

The world of sports would not be the same without Billie Jean King, a legend both in tennis and for her work breaking down barriers for women athletes. All In chronicles King’s career from her formative years through the 1973 Battle of the Sexes exhibition match against Bobby Riggs and the creation of the women’s pro tennis circuit to King’s acknowledgment of her sexual identity and coming out at the age of 51. At once a story of one person’s impact on tennis and a cultural revolution in the sports world, this winning memoir offers insight and guidance on issues from political activism and personal relationships to finding your true self.

Tiger Woods

By jeff benedict and armen keteyian.

In Tiger Woods, sportswriters Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian deliver a fully realized portrait of the eponymous golf titan. The bestselling sports biography draws on interviews with more than 250 people to chronicle Woods’s meteoric rise, scandalous fall, and triumphant return to world-class athletics. The unsparing narrative also shines a light on the damage parents can do in their single-minded quest to turn their children into star athletes, drawing connections between Woods’s unparalleled achievements on the golf course and his parents’ obsession with success. 

The Last Folk Hero

By jeff pearlman.

Bo Jackson was a one-man sports phenomenon in the 1980s and ’90s, excelling in football and baseball, and starring in one of the most successful ad campaigns in Nike history. In addition to his athletic triumphs, wild tales about Jackson leaping over parked cars and helping land a plane in distress elevated the sports star to mythical levels, like a modern-day Paul Bunyan. In The Last Folk Hero, sportswriter Jeff Pearlman tells the story of the man behind the myth. Drawing on more than 700 interviews, this fascinating sports biography is a must-read for Jackson superfans and for those eager to find out more about this larger-than-life American sports icon.

Good for a Girl

By lauren fleshman.

In the bestselling Good for a Girl, elite runner Lauren Fleshman draws on her own story and the work of psychologists and physiologists to advocate for a radical transformation of sports for young women. Competing in institutions that aren’t built for them, women athletes are held back from the beginning and plagued by sexism, eating disorders, and physical and mental injuries. Many would-be elites drop out before they can truly achieve greatness. Fleshman argues that we’re long overdue for a change. Readers will find plenty to love in Fleshman’s rousing narrative, which blends sports memoir with a manifesto and demonstrates a passion for personal success as well as creating a world in which all women athletes are allowed to thrive.

Ali: A Life

By jonathan eig.

Jonathan Eig’s bestselling and award-winning biography of Muhammed Ali turns the facts of Ali’s life and career into a harrowing story of courage, activism, and athletic excellence. The storied heavyweight boxer was not just an accomplished athlete but a natural performer, civil rights activist, and political protester. Drawing on interviews, FBI files, and archival recordings, Eig weaves a gripping tale of Ali’s boxing career, his political victories and personal triumphs, and his lasting impact on American culture.

By Jeff Benedict

We round out our list with a living legend who’s playing at the top of his game. In LeBron, Jeff Benedict chronicles LeBron James’s layered and inspirational story, from his early years of struggle as the son of a young mother to becoming the No.1 overall draft pick in the NBA straight out of high school and his transformation into the greatest basketball player of the 21 st century. Based on three years of research and more than 250 interviews, Benedict’s sweeping narrative goes well beyond James’s success on the court, exploring his relationship to fame and his dual identity as a celebrity and an activist fighting for social justice .

Share with your friends

Related articles.

13 Mind-Expanding Science Books

10 Evocative Literary Fiction Books Set in Small Towns

11 Modern Mystery Books for Agatha Christie Fans

Celadon delivered.

Subscribe to get articles about writing, adding to your TBR pile, and simply content we feel is worth sharing. And yes, also sign up to be the first to hear about giveaways, our acquisitions, and exclusives!

" * " indicates required fields

Connect with

Sign up for our newsletter to see book giveaways, news, and more, get our newsletter.

Our Second Annual Ranking of the Biggest Names in Sports

Who are the most famous athletes on the planet? Ben Alamar, ESPN's director of analytics, devised a formula that combines endorsements with social media following and internet search popularity to create the ESPN World Fame 100 rankings. (Note: NA means either an athlete doesn't have an official account for a social media site or an accurate endorsement figure could not be confirmed.)

• Methodology: How we found fame
• Video: Know your famous athletes
• By the numbers: 2017 Fame Trends
• Ivory Coast
• Northern Ireland
• Philippines
• Switzerland
• American football
• Auto racing
• Table tennis
• Track and field

No results found!

• 1 Cristiano Ronaldo
• 2 LeBron James
• 3 Lionel Messi
• 4 Roger Federer
• 5 Phil Mickelson
• 7 Usain Bolt
• 8 Kevin Durant
• 9 Rafael Nadal
• 10 Tiger Woods
• 11 Stephen Curry
• 12 Novak Djokovic
• 13 Virat Kohli
• 14 Rory McIlroy
• 15 Mahendra Singh Dhoni
• 16 Ronda Rousey
• 17 Jordan Spieth
• 18 Kaká
• 19 Serena Williams
• 20 Kei Nishikori
• 21 Tom Brady
• 22 Gareth Bale
• 23 Maria Sharapova
• 24 Dwyane Wade
• 25 Conor McGregor
• 26 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• 27 James Rodríguez
• 28 James Harden
• 29 Alexis Sánchez
• 30 Mesut Özil
• 31 Wayne Rooney
• 32 Andy Murray
• 33 Derrick Rose
• 34 Kyrie Irving
• 35 Russell Westbrook
• 36 Antoine Griezmann
• 37 Andrés Iniesta
• 38 Luis Suárez
• 39 Anderson Silva
• 40 Paul Pogba
• 41 Carmelo Anthony
• 42 Stan Wawrinka
• 43 Dustin Johnson
• 44 Karim Benzema
• 45 Marcelo Vieira
• 46 Radamel Falcao
• 47 Cam Newton
• 48 Simone Biles
• 49 Sergio Agüero
• 50 Ivan Rakitic
• 51 Chris Paul
• 52 Drew Brees
• 53 David Luiz
• 54 Cesc Fàbregas
• 55 Russell Wilson
• 56 Aaron Rodgers
• 57 Dani Alves
• 58 Sergio Garcia
• 59 Manny Pacquiao
• 60 Eli Manning
• 61 Damian Lillard
• 62 Rickie Fowler
• 63 Blake Griffin
• 64 Odell Beckham Jr.
• 65 Dwight Howard
• 66 Ning Zetao
• 67 Ryan Lochte
• 68 Bastian Schweinsteiger
• 69 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• 70 Javier Hernández
• 72 Toni Kroos
• 73 Justin Rose
• 74 J.J. Watt
• 75 Hope Solo
• 76 Thiago Silva
• 77 Raheem Sterling
• 78 Eden Hazard
• 79 Theo Walcott
• 80 Didier Drogba
• 81 Mario Götze
• 82 Robert Lewandowski
• 83 Marco Reus
• 84 Lewis Hamilton
• 85 Jason Day
• 86 Jimmie Johnson
• 87 Caroline Wozniacki
• 89 Saúl Álvarez
• 90 Yuvraj Singh
• 91 Thomas Müller
• 92 Felipe Massa
• 93 Eugenie Bouchard
• 94 Bubba Watson
• 95 Suresh Raina
• 96 Gabriel Jesus
• 97 Manuel Neuer
• 98 Adam Scott
• 99 Aly Raisman
• 100 Mohamed Salah

ESPN World Fame 100 methodology

The ESPN World Fame 100 is our annual attempt to create a ranking, through statistical analysis, of the 100 most famous athletes on the planet.

We started with Forbes' annual list of the highest-paid athletes and expanded the pool from there using a variety of domestic and international sources to make sure we didn't overlook any legitimate candidates. (You can find the 2016 World Fame 100 here .) We also sought input from ESPN journalists around the world, including colleagues in our bureaus in Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

The data for each athlete in the pool was then fed into a formula created by ESPN director of sports analytics Ben Alamar that weighs athletes' endorsements, their following on the social media Big Three (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and Google search popularity, producing a comparative ranking system. The analysis includes five categories: endorsement money, Twitter followers, Instagram followers, Facebook followers and Google Trends score. For special situations (esports and China) we used two additional categories: other social media -- for when the athlete was more relevant on a platform outside the Big Three (Twitch, for example, although no gamers made the top 100) -- and, in China's case, Baidu search score, because Google is blocked there.

Salary is not used as a factor because of differences among sports. For example, players in a league with a salary cap would be at an unfair disadvantage when measured against players in uncapped leagues. Endorsement dollars, however, reflect the ability to draw attention -- which is a good way to define fame.

Endorsement amounts cover 2016 and were compiled by ESPN researchers. All currency figures were converted to U.S. dollars using March 27 rates. The social media followings and Google Trend scores (which show relative popularity based on how often names are searched on a scale of 0 to 100) were as of April 19. (Note: Where categories in the profiles are marked as NA, the athlete either doesn't have an official account for that social media site or an accurate endorsement figure could not be confirmed.)

Retired athletes are not included. Therefore, popular stars such as Tony Romo (No. 70 in 2016) and Floyd Mayweather (No. 26 in 2016) are absent. We have also excluded amateur athletes -- Deshaun Watson, Lonzo Ball and Katie Ledecky, for example -- due to lack of salary and endorsements.

Contributors: Primary research by Sachin Dave Chandan and Charlotte Gibson. Additional research by Sam Bruce, Jayaditya Gupta, Sam Lyon, Richard Maguire, James Martin, Gueorgui Milkov, Fernando Olivieri, Darren Rovell, Sripath Srinath, Xin Wan, Qixin Wang, Andy Withers and Ricardo Zanei.

We asked fans from around the globe if they could identify athletes in the ESPN World Fame top 10.

ESPN World Fame 100 by the Numbers

Top endorsements, fame gender, ronaldo, king of social media, why he's got fame.

Numero uno? That's where soccer's peacock would still expect to be, his glory as one of the all-time great players still dazzling us as much as his ego, even if a few boos from Real Madrid's absurdly spoiled fans have this season hinted at CR7's fading powers at 32. Still, he steered Real Madrid to another Champions League triumph and Portugal to the European Championship in 2016 and lifted the Ballon d'Or as the world's premier player again.

Best player, worst statue?

Ronaldo's opinion of himself is such, you could only fear for the sculptor of the wonderfully terrible bronze bust that the player unveiled at Madeira Airport, now renamed in honor of the island's favorite son. The likeness was so bad, even Ronaldo had to laugh at himself -- not something you can say too often. -- Ian Chadband

It's been said

"He's a world star in soccer like Michael Jordan was in basketball. They have both been blessed with a genius that has never been seen before." -- Carlos Queiroz, former Real Madrid and Portugal manager

A walk through fame: Cristiano Ronaldo

More: When Zidane talks, Ronaldo listens

• $32M Endorsements 93M Instagram Followers
• 118.1M Facebook Followers 50.4M Twitter Followers

Hero ... villain ... superhero. That's James' career arc in his home state of Ohio. James turned the moribund Cavaliers into a contender -- only to take his talents to Miami in 2010 and win two championships with the Heat. James returned to Cleveland after four years in subtropical exile, and in his second year back, the Cavs memorably overcame a 3-1 NBA Finals deficit to capture their first championship. Fans once jilted by James adore him again, and, still dominating at age 32, he might be delivering them thrills for years to come.

Acting chops

James received rave reviews for his appearance in the 2015 Amy Schumer film "Trainwreck" and is slated to star in the forthcoming "Space Jam 2." Will he add an Oscar to his four MVP trophies? Stay tuned. -- Thomas Neumann

"I've never seen a man in my life tell an entire state: 'Get on my back, I got you. Get on my back and I'm going to carry you.'" -- Richard Jefferson, Cleveland teammate

A walk through fame: LeBron James

• $55M Endorsements 28.5M Instagram Followers
• 22.6M Facebook Followers 34.4M Twitter Followers

He remains the greatest current exponent of global soccer, a player of such otherworldly skill that the one remaining question to be answered in his career is whether he can be considered the best in the game's history. We could wax lyrical all day about the Barcelona and Argentina nonpareil's unreal goals, visionary assists and magic wand of a left foot, but it's surely better to simply follow his old mentor Pep Guardiola's wistful advice: "Don't write about him, don't try to describe him. Just watch him."

Words can't describe

Having run out of superlatives for the man, a new word -- "inmessionante" -- has been created for Messi, earning its debut in a Spanish dictionary. Its meaning? "The perfect way to play football." -- Ian Chadband

"Messi is outside all praise. He does things you do not see even in 'Oliver and Benji' (a soccer-themed anime series) or PlayStation. What he does touches the impossible. We're used to it, but it is a delight and a privilege to have the best player in the world in your team." -- Luis Enrique, Barcelona manager

A walk through fame: Lionel Messi

• $28M Endorsements 65.1M Instagram Followers
• 86.6M Facebook Followers NA Twitter Followers

He's the most successful male tennis player in history, with the most Grand Slam singles titles (18) and final appearances (28). Fed has held the No. 1 ranking for 302 weeks in his career, the most by any man. And he continued to bolster his fame this year when he won the 2017 Australian Open, becoming at age 35 the oldest man to win the event since Ken Rosewall in 1972.

Not mailing it in

In 2007, Switzerland issued a postage stamp bearing Federer's image, making him the country's first living person to be so honored. And he'd won only 10 of his Grand Slams at the time. -- Jim Caple

"What makes it so special is that he doesn't just take something from you and just keep on going. He looks directly at you, says, 'Thank you,' stops to talk, makes you feel that it's no chore for him." -- Colleen Taylor, one of Federer's many devoted followers, on how he treats his fans

A walk through fame: Roger Federer

More: Federer is having too much fun to quit now

• $60M Endorsements 2.8M Instagram Followers
• 14.2M Facebook Followers 6.7M Twitter Followers

He has won five majors. In the era of Tiger Woods and with 11 runner-up finishes in majors, that tends to be both overlooked and underrated. And in the context of his career, those 11 near misses, along with 23 top-three finishes and 38 top-10 finishes at majors -- and his longevity (700-plus weeks in the top 10 of the world rankings) -- puts him in some experts' top 10 of all time.

Mickelson isn't just wealthy for an athlete. He came in at No. 18 on Forbes' 2016 list of America's richest celebrities with a net worth of $375 million, beating Barbra Streisand by one spot. Woods was the only active athlete ahead of Mickelson. -- Melissa Isaacson

"It's not like I have decades left of opportunities to win majors, so each one of these means a lot to me." -- Mickelson, after finishing second at The Open last year at age 46

A walk through fame: Phil Mickelson

• $50M Endorsements NA Instagram Followers
• NA Facebook Followers NA Twitter Followers

The bewilderingly brilliant Brazilian keeps wooing us with tales of the wholly improbable. Last year, it was to deliver the dream finale to Brazil's Olympics with the glorious free kick and winning shootout penalty against Germany to earn gold. This year, it was inspiring the greatest comeback in the game's annals for Barcelona against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League with an individual tour de force that Liverpool great Steve Gerrard hailed as one of the greatest he'd ever seen. And he's still on course to take over from Messi as the world's finest.

Lights, camera, action!

Neymar took down one of the baddies with a nifty bit of footwork in his movie debut in "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" this year. Soccer's greatest actor? Funny, that's exactly what Celtic defender Mikael Lustig said, unimpressed by Neymar's diving in a Champions League game. -- Ian Chadband

"Neymar is increasingly dominating every year. The first season he was just a servant of Messi, but in second he turned into his partner, and now he has all the liberties because he feels like he's the best." -- Jorge Valdano, Argentinian World Cup winner and soccer sage

A walk through fame: Neymar

• $23M Endorsements 68.2M Instagram Followers
• 58.6M Facebook Followers 27.3M Twitter Followers

Being the fastest human in history is a pretty big deal. Bolt has won eight Olympic gold medals in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and the 4x100 relay, the most for any sprinter (it would have been nine if a 2008 Jamaican relay teammate hadn't failed a doping test), and holds the world record in the 100 (9.58 seconds) and the 200 (19.19). Bolt, 30, will get considerable attention this summer during and after the world championships in London, which he has said will be his final competition.

What's next?

He has mentioned playing soccer with Manchester United, but perhaps he will go into cricket, a sport he loved as a kid in Jamaica. He even played in an exhibition cricket match in Bangalore a few years ago, bowling and batting his team to victory. Don't bet too heavily on either, though. -- Jim Caple

"I don't even like to go out onto the streets sometimes because I can't get anything done. People want pictures and autographs all the time." -- Bolt

A walk through fame: Usain Bolt

More: World's fastest man is running out the clock

• $30M Endorsements 6.4M Instagram Followers
• 19M Facebook Followers 4.6M Twitter Followers

A four-time NBA scoring champion, his move from the Thunder to the Warriors sent shockwaves through the basketball world. While the move left some fans in Oklahoma jilted, Durant's overall popularity remains massive. In the April 11 rankings of worldwide NBA jersey sales, he ranked behind only teammate Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Although Durant played only one season at the University of Texas, his No. 35 is one of only three jerseys retired by the Longhorns basketball team.

Global brand

Durant recently announced plans for a visit to India this summer. He will be the first NBA player to visit the league's new developmental academy in Delhi, and he also plans to visit the Taj Mahal. -- Thomas Neumann

"The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player -- as that has always steered me in the right direction." -- Durant, on his decision to sign with the Warriors in 2016

A walk through fame: Kevin Durant

More: Why Durant sees world differently now

• $36M Endorsements NA Instagram Followers
• 10.3M Facebook Followers 15.5M Twitter Followers

Nadal is the undisputed King of Clay, with a record nine championships at Roland Garros to go with five other Grand Slam singles titles. He won at least one Slam in a men's-record 10 consecutive years (2005-14) and has surpassed $80 million in career earnings. Although he received attention earlier in his career for wearing sleeveless shirts and capri pants on the court, he's updated to a more conventional look (yet his odd habit of picking at his shorts continues).

More than a star

All famous athletes are stars, but Nadal goes beyond that; he's an asteroid. Well, there is an asteroid named after him -- 128036 Rafaelnadal, which is 2½ miles in diameter. (No planet is named after a tennis player yet, unless you count Venus Williams.) -- Jim Caple

"I am a little bit more famous now, but I don't have changes in my life. I live in the same place, I have the same friends. Nothing, nothing changes for me, and I don't want change." -- Nadal, in August 2005, a couple of months after winning his first French Open

A walk through fame: Rafael Nadal

• $32M Endorsements 2.6M Instagram Followers
• 12.2M Facebook Followers 12M Twitter Followers

At 21, he was the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world. By age 30, he had won 10 majors and seemed sure to eclipse the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus. By 40, he had more career wins than anyone but still was four majors short of Jack. On the negative side, an infidelity scandal that went public in 2009 threatened to undermine his legacy, and he was arrested on a DUI charge on Memorial Day of 2017.

Course work

Although Woods' playing career has been sidetracked by a seriously balky back, he has a side gig designing courses. Two of his designs have opened at private clubs, and construction of his first public course, due to open in 2019, is underway in Missouri. -- Melissa Isaacson

"People who meet him for 30 seconds love him, and people who spend several hours with him think he's aloof and weird, while people who hang around long enough to know him end up both loving him and being oddly protective. His truest self is shy, awkward and basically well-intentioned, as unsuited for life in public as he is suited for hitting a ball." -- Wright Thompson in his 2016 piece in ESPN The Magazine

A walk through fame: Tiger Woods

• $45M Endorsements 754K Instagram Followers
• 2.9M Facebook Followers 6.2M Twitter Followers

Curry is one of the most dazzling shooters in basketball history, a guard of ordinary size who topples bigger and stronger opponents with precision and regularity. His style and grace captivate the masses of NBA fans, as evidenced by his jersey sitting atop the league's worldwide sales list for the second year in a row. Curry possesses virtually limitless range and helped lead the Warriors to their first NBA championship in 40 years in 2015.

"Getting by" on an average of $11 million a year while winning two MVPs under his current four-year deal, Curry has been one of the league's greatest bargains. But that's about to change. When he hits free agency this summer, he'll reportedly be eligible for the first NBA deal that eclipses $200 million. -- Thomas Neumann

"I never really set out to change the game. I never thought that would happen in my career. What I wanted to do was be myself." -- Curry, after becoming the NBA's first unanimous MVP in 2016

• $35M Endorsements 15.1M Instagram Followers
• 7.3M Facebook Followers 8.4M Twitter Followers

Not only has he won all four Grand Slams (12 total) and been ranked No. 1 for more than 200 weeks, Djokovic speaks five languages (Serbian, German, French, English and Italian) -- so a wide range of fans can enjoy listening to him talk after watching him play. He also is thoughtful, articulate and often funny, known for his impersonations of fellow players -- he once sported a long, blonde wig to mimic Maria Sharapova -- and wearing a Darth Vader mask onto the court.

He is what he eats

Djokovic has a restaurant group that offers gluten-free meals, as well as a vegan restaurant in Monaco. He credits his tennis success to going gluten-free, which he wrote about in an enlightening book, "Serve to Win: The 14-Day Gluten-Free Plan for Physical and Mental Excellence." -- Jim Caple

"People look up to me as somebody who is able to switch the image of our country from negative to positive." -- Djokovic, who grew up in Serbia during the Balkan wars

• $34M Endorsements 3.1M Instagram Followers
• 7M Facebook Followers 7M Twitter Followers

One of the best batsman in all of cricket seems to be getting better, and 2016 was particularly great. Kohli took over India's one-day international captaincy and scored over 2,500 runs in ODIs. On top of all that, he's back together with Bollywood star Anushka Sharma.

Elite company

In February, the 28-year-old Kohli joined the likes of Usain Bolt, Rickie Fowler and Thierry Henry as a Puma endorser. His eight-year deal with the shoe company is worth more than 100 crore rupees (approximately $15 million US), the largest ever for an Indian athlete. -- Aishwarya Kumar

"Virat Kohli is a rare talent. I was fortunate to be part of that process of seeing him grow, and that gives me immense pleasure." -- Gary Kirsten, former Team India coach

• $17.4M Endorsements 13.4M Instagram Followers
• 33.9M Facebook Followers 13.9M Twitter Followers

Still only 28, McIlroy already has won four majors -- he's a Masters shy of a career Grand Slam -- and spent 95 weeks as the world's top-ranked golfer, the fourth most in history. The Northern Irishman has serious global appeal, having been named PGA Tour Player of the Year twice and European Tour Golfer of the Year three times.

Pretty good shape

McIlroy is considered one of the fittest golfers on tour, but he was humbled when joined by Tom Brady and Peyton and Eli Manning while working out at Augusta National a couple of years ago. "Friday morning, I got in the gym about 6. Brady walked in at 6:15, and the Mannings walked in at 6:30. That was my time to leave.'' -- Melissa Isaacson

"You'll never even find me at a red-carpet event. One of the reasons I don't spend much time in Ireland or the UK anymore is because of that tabloid culture. I live in Florida now, and I can walk down the street and do whatever I want and nobody cares." -- McIlroy in a 2016 interview with Vice Sports UK

• $35M Endorsements 1.2M Instagram Followers
• 1.1M Facebook Followers 3.1M Twitter Followers

You know how much your country loves you when you have millions of heartbroken fans crying, begging you to not step down as the one-day international captain. Just as gracefully as he took on the mantle, he left the limelight after having captained India's national cricket team for 199 ODIs and 72 T20s.

Made for the movies

The much-anticipated biopic based on his life, "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story," hit theaters in September 2016 and was released in 61 countries. As he promoted the three-hour-plus movie in cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi and New York, fans saw a side of Dhoni nobody has seen before -- chatty, nervous and excited. Dhoni was played by Sushant Singh Rajput in what became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 2016. -- Aishwarya Kumar

"Dhoni has got this ability of rising from the ashes. It is his temperament where he has treated those two imposters -- fame and failure -- in just the same manner." -- Sunil Gavaskar, former Indian batsman

• $16M Endorsements 5.1M Instagram Followers
• 19.7M Facebook Followers 6M Twitter Followers

Why she's got fame

There is the sheer brutal dominance with which she has exercised her craft in mixed martial arts, of course. But the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo elevated herself to the next level of celebrity by her sheer audacity and refreshing candor, talking about her struggles with body image as easily as admitting to assaulting an ex-boyfriend and revealing she had suicidal thoughts after her first UFC loss.

Superstar power

Despite coming off a 13-month hiatus, Rousey commanded a purse of $3 million for her most recent fight -- 30 times more than her opponent, UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, was guaranteed. -- Melissa Isaacson

"For the millions of people who admire her, she is somebody who is actually worth the admiration. Believe me, there's a lot of celebrities out there that are popular. I meet them all the time. They are not worth your admiration. They suck." -- UFC president Dana White on Rousey after her loss to Nunes

• $8M Endorsements 9.5M Instagram Followers
• 11.3M Facebook Followers 3.4M Twitter Followers

He might be just 23 years old, but the Texan has a Masters victory, a U.S. Open title, a Ryder Cup trophy and a FedEx Cup championship -- and he sat atop the world rankings for 26 weeks. He has nine PGA Tour victories since turning pro in 2012 and has finished in the top 25 in roughly 70 percent of his starts. And we mentioned he's only 23, right?

Spring forward

Two days after this April's Masters, Spieth joined Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Smylie Kaufman for their now-famous annual spring break vacation to the Bahamas, playing golf in swim trunks, drinking their traditional "boom tower" beverages and documenting it all on social media. -- Ben Arledge

"I plan to be aggressive because at this point it's win or go home. Finishing fifth versus finishing 10th doesn't mean much to me." -- Spieth on playing from behind at the 2017 Masters

• $32M Endorsements 1M Instagram Followers
• 417K Facebook Followers 1.7M Twitter Followers

Back in his Milan heyday, the Brazilian was for a moment in time the best player on the planet, and a World Cup winner to boot. The film of him robbing and outpacing Leo Messi to score a wondrous goal in a 2006 international against Argentina reminds us why Real Madrid once broke the world record transfer fee to buy him. He can still play a bit, even if these days it's in the less-frenetic service of Orlando City, where he's rewarded as the highest-paid performer in MLS at $7.167 million a year.

Feeding the world

Being a well-educated Brazilian soccer idol and the first sportsman to woo 10 million Twitter followers has enabled the devout evangelical Christian to use his fame as an Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations' World Food Programme and to pay more than mere lip service to the humanitarian causes dear to him. -- Ian Chadband

"Kaká has the technique of a Brazilian and the physical qualities of a European. He is the standard bearer of the modern game." -- Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Brazil's former national coach

• $5.5M Endorsements 10.4M Instagram Followers
• 31.2M Facebook Followers 26.5M Twitter Followers

She's just the greatest women's tennis player in history. Her win at this year's Australian Open gave her 23 career singles Grand Slams, the most of any player in the open era. Williams has been ranked No. 1 for more than 300 total weeks and has picked up four Olympic gold medals. And unlike most English-speaking players, she can address fans in French or Italian when she plays at tournaments in those countries.

In April, Williams announced that her first baby was on the way and she won't play again this season. If she was indeed 20 weeks pregnant, as her Snapchat post indicated at the time, that means she was with child when she won the Australian Open in January. -- Jim Caple

• $20M Endorsements 5.3M Instagram Followers
• 5.1M Facebook Followers 7.9M Twitter Followers

Nishikori has never won a Grand Slam, but he is the first native Asian to reach the men's singles final of one (the 2014 US Open) and the highest-ranked Japanese men's player in history, peaking at No. 4 so far. He is the only Japanese player to win an Olympic medal since tennis returned to the games in 1988, taking bronze in 2016. At age 27, there's still time for him to become the first Asian Grand Slam men's singles champion. Michael Chang, who advises Nishikori, won a French Open but is an American of Chinese descent.

Can't go home again

Nishikori resides in Florida, in part to avoid the fishbowl of being a revered figure back home. Before last year's Japan Open, an estimated 9,000 fans turned out just to watch him practice.-- Jim Caple

"He's a very focused young man, and he wants to make history. That's where his focus is, not on money or endorsements." -- Olivier van Lindonk, Nishikori's agent

• $30M Endorsements 225K Instagram Followers
• 671K Facebook Followers 748K Twitter Followers

Twelve years ago, Brady was bizarrely pictured snuggling a goat in a GQ photo spread. Now, after winning his fifth Super Bowl championship, there is little doubt that Brady is the GOAT. He and supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen are one of the most celebrated couples in pop culture. If you want gaudy statistics, Brady has those, too, ranking among the NFL's top five in career passes attempted, passes completed, passing yards and touchdown passes.

He's not done yet

Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently indicated that Brady, 39, said he would be willing to play six or seven more years -- a terrifying thought for opponents. -- Thomas Neumann

"Believe me, I'm much easier to be around when we win than when we lose." -- Brady

More: NFL lags on international playing field

• $8M Endorsements 2M Instagram Followers
• 4.3M Facebook Followers NA Twitter Followers

Wales, a country with rugby at its heart, has become besotted with the soccer maestro whose inspirational feet and feats did most to transport the national team to the unlikeliest of semifinal appearances in Euro 2016. Bale's flowering as the best British player in the game makes him unquestioned monarch in his home country. The Welsh capital's airport was even renamed the Cardiff Bale Airport for a day when the team returned home from the Euros.

Being remunerated at around £300,000 a week allows Bale indulge his passion for golf, so that he even has recreated three legendary holes in the back garden of his Welsh home -- yes, the 17th at Sawgrass, the 11th on Augusta's Amen Corner and Troon's Postage Stamp all nestled in the Vale of Glamorgan. -- Ian Chadband

"He has a lot more to come. At 27, he has his whole life ahead of him to learn and, above all, make history in this great club." -- Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid manager

• $11M Endorsements 27.1M Instagram Followers
• 28.3M Facebook Followers 11.2M Twitter Followers

The Siberia-born Sharapova has been one of the best players of her era -- she won Wimbledon at age 17 and went on to complete the career Slam -- and one of the most marketable. The attention she gained in the past year or so, however, has been the negative kind, but it hasn't affected her level of fame. Despite testing positive in 2016 for the banned substance meldonium, which resulted in a 15-month suspension, she is one of just three women in the top 25 of this list.

Her candy company, Sugarpova, has become so popular that it's expanding distribution into 7-Eleven and Kroger stores in the United States. Candy might not be great for nutrition, but at least a player can eat a Sugarpova Dark Chocolate with Toasted Coconut bar without worrying about being busted for a PED. -- Jim Caple

"It's strange for my friends when they see me on TV and in magazines, because the person that they see doing interviews and pictures on the red carpet is not the person that they know." -- Sharapova

• $15M Endorsements 2.3M Instagram Followers
• 14.9M Facebook Followers 5.2M Twitter Followers

While Wade isn't the same player who could effortlessly slash through defenses and create his own shot under almost any circumstance, he's still an immensely popular impact player at age 35. Back in 2010, Miami-Dade County literally changed its name to Miami-Wade County for a week in hopes of convincing the star guard to not leave the Heat in free agency. Wade decided to re-sign with Miami, a move that paved the way for the arrival of LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Wade is married to actress Gabrielle Union, and with three NBA rings and 20,000-plus career points under his belt, he can start writing that Hall of Fame speech.

Sweet home Chicago

After spending his first 13 NBA seasons in Miami, Wade signed a two-year contract last year with his hometown Bulls worth $47 million. Not bad for a player in his career twilight. -- Melissa Isaacson

"I have never forgotten where I came from, and I am thankful to have an opportunity to play for the team that first fueled my love of the game." -- Wade, on his decision to sign with the Bulls

• $13M Endorsements 8.9M Instagram Followers
• 11.1M Facebook Followers 6.4M Twitter Followers

Described as looking "exactly like the Notre Dame logo," the Irish fighter is the reigning UFC lightweight champion and former undisputed featherweight champ (which he became with a 13-second stoppage of Jose Aldo during the fastest championship victory in UFC history). He's the UFC's biggest pay-per-view draw and a colorful talker and boaster, which has prompted comparisons to Muhammad Ali.

Dream fight

McGregor has earned as much as $3 million for a fight (not counting pay-per-view bonuses), a UFC record; but that's nothing compared to $75 million or so that has been speculated if a deal ever gets done for him to box against Floyd Mayweather. -- Jim Caple

He has that thing that you can't teach people, whatever it is that makes people gravitate toward you. He has that more than any fighter I've ever met. He makes you believe everything he believes. -- Dana White, UFC president

• $4M Endorsements 11.1M Instagram Followers
• 5.2M Facebook Followers 3.6M Twitter Followers

If you asked the 35-year-old Swede himself, he'd doubtless tell you he should be No. 1 on this list. But then, to be fair, Ibrahimovic's opinion of his own grandeur is probably shared in every city where they've swooned at his brilliance, be it Amsterdam, Turin, Milan, Barcelona, Paris or Manchester. His next stop, if there is one, is up in the air after he suffered a season-ending knee injury while on a one-year contract with Manchester United.

Loud and proud

When you're Ibra, you can say anything and get away with it. In Paris, he promised he would stay on at Paris Saint-Germain only "if they replace the Eiffel Tower with a statue of myself," while his latest boast is that he should be the next James Bond. -- Ian Chadband

"Lions, they don't compare themselves with humans." -- Ibrahimovic, when asked why he had not mentioned his own name while listing the Premier League's best strikers

• $7M Endorsements 25.1M Instagram Followers
• 26.1M Facebook Followers 4.4M Twitter Followers

Colombia's baby-faced star of the 2014 World Cup has found it hard to live up to that initial piece of global showstopping in the unforgiving goldfish bowl that is Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium. Paraded with grand fanfare after winning the Golden Boot for his six World Cup goals, including the extraordinary chest-and-swivel volley that won him the Puskas Award for best of the year, it's all rather gone downhill with the man who's named after James Bond looking grumpily shaken and stirred by his lack of playing time. Still, his luminous ability will ensure no lack of suitors if the widely predicted parting comes this summer.

Cherished at home

He's one of the most protected individuals in Colombia every time he gets back home. That's because his nation's love for him knows no bounds, and the depressing price of this level of fame remains the occasional crazed death threat. -- Ian Chadband

"It's not easy to achieve what I've done, but my view is that when you have a dream, you really pursue it and you imagine these things happening, then it can become a reality." -- Rodríguez

• $7M Endorsements 29.3M Instagram Followers
• 31.7M Facebook Followers 11.9M Twitter Followers

It's only fitting that Harden is the most famous athlete in Houston, the city that gave birth to the legendary bearded blues rock band ZZ Top. Of course, Harden is much more than just a glorious beard. Since being traded to the Rockets in 2013, he has proven himself as a franchise player by averaging 27.4 points, 7.6 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game. But you have to admit, the beard is glorious indeed.

Bye-bye bench

It's easy to forget Harden wasn't even a starter during his three seasons playing third fiddle to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets, however, saw much more than a sixth man when they acquired him in 2012. Harden has earned All-Star status in each of his five seasons in Houston, and he has played more minutes than any other NBA player over the past three seasons. -- Thomas Neumann

"I enjoy the grind. I enjoy how hard it is. I think that makes you tougher. That makes you who you are." -- Harden, on his reluctance to take games off

• $20M Endorsements 4.8M Instagram Followers
• 748K Facebook Followers 4.1M Twitter Followers

Sánchez's gift as a striker is immense, but it's his big heart that equally endears him to Chile. The Arsenal sorcerer was named player of the 2016 Copa America Centenario after his three goals helped Chile win the tournament for the second consecutive year. On top of being one of the world's best players, he is appreciated as the guy who was too poor ever to own a pair of boots as a kid but now gets huge joy by coming home to Tocopilla to help fund new pitches and hand out equipment and footballs to youngsters. "I love this," he says. And they love him for it.

Lofty stature

You know you've got to be pretty special if you end up unveiling a giant statue of yourself in your home city when your career hasn't even finished, as the 28-year-old Sánchez did in March. -- Ian Chadband

"Never feel sad because someone tells you you can't do something in your life." -- Sánchez, engraved with his Hollywood-style hand and foot imprints at the statue display

• $20M Endorsements 5.5M Instagram Followers
• 4.7M Facebook Followers 2M Twitter Followers

On his day, Özil is a portrait of the artist as a footballer. In a sport that is currently being dominated by the attacking prowess of the inverted winger, the man with the melancholy eyes is the closest thing we've found to a spiritual heir to Juan Roman Riquelme. Özil's arsenal is that of guile, subtlety, technique and preternatural vision and timing -- no wonder, in the superkinetic EPL, he's underappreciated.

When Özil went from Real Madrid to Arsenal in 2013 in the most expensive transfer ever for a German player, it didn't go over well with Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo: "The sale of Özil is bad news for me. He was the player who best knew my moves in front of goal. I'm angry about Özil leaving." -- Dotun Akintoye

"Every time he touches the ball, the ball smiles." -- Jose Mourinho, who managed Özil at Real Madrid

• $6.5M Endorsements 11.1M Instagram Followers
• 31M Facebook Followers 14.4M Twitter Followers

His star might be dimming rapidly now as the England and Manchester United captain who can't even get in his club or country's first 11 anymore, but nothing can take away from his moment in January 2017 when a beautifully executed free kick broke Bobby Charlton's record as United's all-time leader with his 250th goal for the club. The debate still rages about exactly how good the teenage phenom ever really did become, but Rooney, with his panoply of special goals and never-say-die attitude, is, according to Leo Messi, "the great English player of the generation."

Future generations of fans can judge his greatness or otherwise when a special section of Manchester United's museum is devoted to his career, including a video loop of every one of his club goals. -- Ian Chadband

"You'll only truly appreciate Rooney when he's retired. I would absolutely urge all those youngsters in the squad to watch and learn off him; they are extremely lucky to be on the same training pitch as him." -- Thierry Henry, retired French superstar

• $6M Endorsements 9.5M Instagram Followers
• 25.1M Facebook Followers 14.5M Twitter Followers

The latest-blooming member of tennis' Big Four, Murray saw his fame in the UK soar when he won Wimbledon in 2013 to become the first British man to win the London event in 77 years. The Scotsman has notched two other Grand Slam titles, including a second at Wimbledon, plus two Olympic gold medals. And he unseated Novak Djokovic as the world's top-ranked player last year. While Murray has 3.7 million Twitter followers, he gets additional attention thanks to his mum, Judy Murray, who also tweets about him to her 200,000 followers.

That's Sir Andy

Murray received knighthood at the end of 2016 -- reluctantly, because he didn't want it to distract from his performance -- becoming the first active tennis player to be so honored. Top that, Fed! -- Jim Caple

"If you live normally without being a prat, you don't tend to get thousands of people following you, photographers and whatnot. That is not what I need, especially this week." -- Murray, after winning the 2009 Queen's Club Championships in London

• $15M Endorsements 1.1M Instagram Followers
• 3.7M Facebook Followers 3.7M Twitter Followers

He was 19 when he went home to Chicago in 2008 as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, with the city expecting nothing less than a return to former glory for its team. And seemingly shrugging off the pressure, the do-it-all point guard became the NBA Rookie of the Year, the Bulls' first All-Star since Michael Jordan and league MVP -- all in his first three seasons.

Worth the risk

Despite a history of knee injuries that have limited his availability and effectiveness, the Knicks were still willing to trade for Rose and pick up the last year of his contract ($21.3 million) in a five-player deal in 2016. -- Melissa Isaacson

"Not even thinking money. I've got more than enough money saved. If I stopped playing basketball now, I'll be all right. I want to win. I want to be happy and feel at peace with myself wherever I'm at." -- Rose, on becoming a free agent this offseason

• $14M Endorsements NA Instagram Followers
• 10.4M Facebook Followers 2.5M Twitter Followers

He played for Duke, was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA draft, won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA championship in 2016, the city's first major sports title in 52 years. Born in Australia to American parents, Irving was considered for the 2012 Aussie Olympic team (he has dual citizenship) but decided to stick with the U.S. program. He went on to win a gold medal with Team USA in in the 2016 Rio Games.

Irving, 25, has written, directed and starred in a number of Pepsi's longer "Uncle Drew" commercials, and there are plans for him to play the character in a full-length movie. -- Jim Caple

"I'm very flawed. I make mistakes all the time. But I'm not afraid to make those mistakes or be flawed. So, that fear is all gone. I'm not afraid of almost any situation or anything that I'm in." -- Irving

• $13M Endorsements 8.7M Instagram Followers
• 2.7M Facebook Followers 3.3M Twitter Followers

The do-it-all Thunder point guard literally did it all this season after Kevin Durant's departure to Golden State. The 28-year-old's star is still very much on the rise after he led the NBA in scoring and became the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season since Oscar Robertson did it 55 years ago. Westbrook's jersey is the No. 4 seller worldwide in the NBA rankings, behind only Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Durant. Look for Russ to move up on this list in 2018.

Man of style

Westbrook is known for his eclectic fashion sense, and he used it to his advantage before this year's All-Star Game. When asked several times about playing alongside Durant and other Warriors players, he instead answered each time by discussing sartorial subjects. -- Thomas Neumann

"I always thought he was a great basketball player. I was talking to some basketball people the other night, and I said, 'I don't think any of these guards can beat him in a one-on-one game.' I think he's been tremendous for the team, his fans and also for television." -- Robertson, on Westbrook

• $15M Endorsements 6.8M Instagram Followers
• 4.7M Facebook Followers 4.1M Twitter Followers

Salute the new poster boy of European soccer, the best player at the 2016 European Championships on home soil in France. The livewire Atletico Madrid striker has become the game's most wanted with giants such as Manchester United reportedly on his trail, waving fat checkbooks. David Beckham is his hero, and with his boyish good looks, cheeky persona and a talent that outstrips his idol's, perhaps we've found the Gallic "Golden Balls."

Secret slips out

If your gift is sublime, you can get away with the ridiculous. When a TV camera caught Griezmann's shorts having slipped down slightly during a match, it was noted with some amusement that he was wearing SpongeBob SquarePants boxers beneath. He explained with a grin that it was just his matchday superstition. -- Ian Chadband

"He's become a fantastic player. He's out of this world. He's gone from being a big signing for Atletico Madrid, who people doubted at first, to becoming an icon at the club." -- Martin Lasarte, the former Real Sociedad coach who gave Griezmann his debut in Spain

• $5.7M Endorsements 8.7M Instagram Followers
• 6.7M Facebook Followers 3.4M Twitter Followers

Hail the Fred Astaire of world soccer. Those mesmeric feet might not be tripping the light fantastic at Barcelona's Nou Camp as regularly as they once did as damnable age pursues him, but the shy genius can still exert a magical hold over us all. It was fitting that a man described by Sir Alex Ferguson as "a perfect player," but one who might have lived in the shadow of Leo Messi in the Barca dream factory, will always have his 2010 World Cup final-winning goal for Spain in Johannesburg as the exclamation mark to his beautiful career.

Royal achievement

When your talent and humility is as regal as Iniesta's, then how fitting it was that Queen Sofia of Spain herself should present him in January 2017 with her own award to mark his special contribution to the national sporting life. -- Ian Chadband

"You will retire me one day, but this kid will retire us both." -- Pep Guardiola, when Barcelona captain, talking to a then-young Xavi about the even younger Iniesta

• $2.4M Endorsements 17.2M Instagram Followers
• 23.2M Facebook Followers 15.5M Twitter Followers

For someone who has courted as much controversy as Uruguay's hero, whose bad behavior has included episodes of biting -- thrice -- kicking, punching, racial abuse and cheating down the years, it's amazing how becalmed his life seems to have become at Camp Nou as one of a now legendary striking trident with Neymar and Leo Messi. How dull that all anyone wants to talk about now are his goals, goals, goals as the Golden Shoe winner in 2015-16 as Europe's leading marksman.

Something in the water

When people ask if you could be the best striker in the world, it's very grounding to know that back in Salto they wonder if you're even the best in your little hometown. Edinson Cavani, the brilliant Paris Saint-Germain striker, also hails from there. -- Ian Chadband

"I know biting appalls a lot of people, but it's relatively harmless. Or at least it was in the incidents I was involved in." -- Suárez, in his autobiography

• $5M Endorsements 20.3M Instagram Followers
• 18.3M Facebook Followers 8.7M Twitter Followers

With the UFC records for longest championship reign (nearly seven years), longest win streak (16 fights from 2006 to 2013) and most consecutive title defenses (10 as a middleweight), "The Spider" is without question one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. The 42-year-old Brazilian also has seen his share of controversy, failing multiple drug tests in 2015 and being slapped with a one-year suspension. Add in his flamboyant remarks about achieving the impossible and Silva is one of the most entertaining personalities the sport has seen.

Shooting star

When not trying inflict damage with his fists and feet, Silva enjoys using less dangerous weapons. He has documented multiple paintball excursions on social media, and when he couldn't train while recovering from a broken leg, he said he played lots of "Call of Duty." -- Aishwarya Kumar

"You must have a dragon hidden inside you. When you need, you let the dragon out." -- Silva

• $8M Endorsements 2.6M Instagram Followers
• 5.9M Facebook Followers 7.9M Twitter Followers

When you're the world's most expensive soccer player, woe betide if you don't deliver. It has been occasionally painful to see the young French midfield dynamo carrying that monstrously heavy £90 million price tag around his shoulders in his difficult first year back at Manchester United since his move from Juventus, because he's so obviously trying so hard. The occasional starbursts of magnificence amid the underperforming at Old Trafford, though, suggest a talent that cannot be subdued for long.

Fashionably early

Being able to launch his own clothing line -- the Adidas x Pogba Collection -- was very lucrative, thank you. But the timing of the launch -- shortly after Pogba had endured a bit of a stinker in the big match against Liverpool -- was all a bit nickel and dime.-- Ian Chadband

"I am scared about the level of envy coming in. It's not Paul's fault he gets 10 times the money some players did in the past. It is not his fault some pundits need every coin to survive, while Paul is a multimillionaire. I think Paul deserves respect." -- Jose Mourinho, Manchester United manager

More: Why Pogba is heir apparent to Ronaldo, Messi

• $3.6M Endorsements 13.2M Instagram Followers
• 6.3M Facebook Followers 3.2M Twitter Followers

Ever since turning pro at 19, Anthony has been one of the most consistent and exciting scorers in the NBA, averaging more than 20 points per game in each of his 14 pro seasons. Melo has benefited from the publicity of playing in America's largest media market for the past six years, but he also has weathered years of the dysfunction that now epitomizes the Knicks franchise.

Melo Center

Although Anthony played just one college season, the basketball facility at Syracuse University is named in his honor. Melo famously led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA championship, and he later donated $3 million to help build the Carmelo K. Anthony Center. -- Thomas Neumann

"I live for stuff like that, getting the ball in the last seconds. Whether I make the shot or miss it, I would rather put that pressure on me." -- Anthony, after hitting a game-winning shot

• $8M Endorsements 4.9M Instagram Followers
• 5.4M Facebook Followers 8.8M Twitter Followers

He hasn't achieved nearly the success of Swiss countryman Roger Federer, but Wawrinka has won three Grand singles Slam titles -- 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open and the 2016 US Open -- each time beating the No. 1 player in the world in the final. Wawrinka, who has been ranked as high as No. 3, also won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics while playing doubles with Federer. And he gained additional attention while winning the French Open thanks to his pajama-like plaid shorts that created quite the social-media sensation.

Permanent reminder

Wawrinka has an interesting tattoo on his left forearm, a quote from playwright Samuel Beckett that reads, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." Wawrinka told the Guardian that he got it because there is always heartache in tennis. -- Jim Caple

"Everybody talks about the shorts. I quite like them. Apparently, I'm the only one." -- Wawrinka

• $15M Endorsements 674K Instagram Followers
• 734K Facebook Followers 1.1M Twitter Followers

Johnson grabbed the No. 1 world ranking earlier this year and cemented his position by winning his following two PGA Tour starts. That is a much happier narrative than the allegations of drug use, heavy drinking and other indiscretions that have dogged him in past years. He's engaged to model and Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina Gretzky, and the couple has one child and another on the way.

Mr. Consistency

Johnson has won at least one tournament in each of his 10 seasons as a professional. He captured his first major championship at the 2016 U.S. Open, winning by three strokes despite a controversial one-stroke penalty. -- Thomas Neumann

"I always feel like I'm the best player in the world, and I always expect to contend." -- Johnson

• $15M Endorsements 472K Instagram Followers
• 146K Facebook Followers 529K Twitter Followers

Seemingly unloved by his club's fans and unwanted by his country, this is the enigma who consumes and obsesses France. An uncommonly gifted striker with Lyon and Real Madrid, his career has been disfigured by off-field scandal, the latest being a charge of allegedly blackmailing a France teammate over a sex tape. Benzema, who has Algerian roots, claimed his exclusion from France's Euro 2016 squad was racially influenced, which raised poisonous responses from far-right politicians. And amid all this negativity and controversy? Well, he has not stopped what he does best -- scoring goals. Two hundred and fifty-plus and counting.

They reckon Benzema is as good in the air when he's indulging in a passion for piloting helicopters as he is on the soccer field with his swooping headers. -- Ian Chadband

"It's hard for me. Some people say I don't love the French national team. If that were the case, I would have said so directly to the coach, because I'm a big boy." -- Benzema

• $5M Endorsements 17.3M Instagram Followers
• 22.7M Facebook Followers 5.2M Twitter Followers

When an 18-year-old Brazilian kid from Fluminense FC was signed by Real Madrid a decade ago, no one seriously expected Marcelo to one day surpass the achievements of the fullback he'd been hired to replace, compatriot and club legend Roberto Carlos. Yet with tireless verve and excellence down that left flank, always accompanied by a big smile underneath big hair, this now-inspiring figure for Madridistas might have done just that. Understated he might be in Real's flashy world, but he has played a major role in three La Liga and two Champions League wins.

King of ink

Few soccer players love a tattoo quite as much as Marcelo. One of hundreds that festoon him honors his late grandfather Pedro, who always found the money to help fund his dream of playing when growing up in poverty in Rio. -- Ian Chadband

"Now, he's the best left-sided defender in the world. Technically, he is better than me -- I was more power and punch. I hope Marcelo is not better than me, but he is doing very well!" -- Roberto Carlos, when asked about his successor

• NA Endorsements 16.5M Instagram Followers
• 17.6M Facebook Followers 64M Twitter Followers

Did we dare suggest last year that El Tigre had lost his roar and become a bit of a toothless tabby? Well, the great news is that Falcao has this season at Monaco rewound the clock, after his miserable interlude at Manchester United and Chelsea, to remind us of when he was one of the world's deadliest strikers before the ACL injury that made him miss the 2014 World Cup. In particular, the goal he chipped against Manchester City in this season's Champions League was simply exquisite. Colombia has its idol back.

Fit for a prince

Prince Albert of Monaco was apparently none too impressed when Falcao left the club during his first spell in the principality, but, like everyone else, he's now hopelessly besotted once again. -- Ian Chadband

"I've known Radamel since he was a boy. I love him as a person. There's no ceiling to his ambition. He is a player who makes the difference. If he's playing well, you have a chance of winning." -- Diego Simeone, Falcao's former manager at Atletico Madrid

• $2M Endorsements 8.1M Instagram Followers
• 12.8M Facebook Followers 12.4M Twitter Followers

Newton is a quarterback in the body of a linebacker, the likes of which pro football hasn't seen before. His combination of speed, strength, toughness and ability to make dynamic plays with both his arm and his legs make him one of the NFL's most exciting players. Newton has been criticized as aloof and moody, but it's difficult to dispute the results: a Heisman Trophy and national championship at Auburn in 2010, plus a 15-1 record and Super Bowl berth with the Panthers in his MVP season of 2015.

Fearless fashion

Newton knows how to turn heads with his sartorial choices -- especially at postgame news conferences. He's unafraid to experiment with myriad colors, styles and accessories, as evidenced by the pink suit, green fedora and multicolored bow tie he rocked in Week 8 last season. -- Thomas Neumann

"It's no secret that I am not afraid to shine bright and be festive, and I like to encourage that in others." -- Newton

• $12M Endorsements 3.7M Instagram Followers
• 2M Facebook Followers 945K Twitter Followers

Referred to as the Michael Jordan of gymnastics, Biles won four golds in Rio -- something no other American female gymnast has accomplished in a single Games. The byproduct of her success? She became a megastar, appearing on "Dancing With the Stars" and being named a finalist for Time Magazine's Person of the Year, an honor that eventually went to President Donald Trump. What did you do when you were 19?

Zac attached

She became besties with her crush, actor Zac Efron, who came to visit Biles in Rio in a meeting set up by NBC's "Today" show. (Oh, and she was selected to carry the U.S. flag at the closing ceremonies.) -- Anthony Olivieri

"There are so many memes going around whenever I stand next to a tall person. They're like, 'Get the picture, get the picture!'" -- Biles, who is 4-foot-8 and has become a target of photographers when around high-rise celebs such as Magic Johnson and LeBron James

• $1.7M Endorsements 3.5M Instagram Followers
• 955K Facebook Followers 941K Twitter Followers

Commentator Martin Tyler's strangled cry of "AGUERRROOOOOOOOO!!!" when the brilliant Argentine scored the goal that earned Manchester City the title in the 93rd minute of the last match of 2011-12 Premier League season ensured that Agüero's name would always be written in English soccer lore. Even his old father-in-law Maradona, who called Agüero a "wimp" after he split up with his daughter, would ruefully acknowledge "Kun" has always had a touch of El Diego's sorcery with Argentina's Independente, Atletico Madrid and now City.

Rags to riches

Agüero spent his summer flitting between a luxury fishing yacht and a multimillion-dollar rented home in Miami. He has come a long way from the crime-ridden shanty town near Buenos Aires where he lived with his six brothers in a doorless shack with a tin roof. -- Ian Chadband

"Watching Agüero is like having an afternoon wandering round the Prado Museum." -- Anatoliy Byshovets, Russian coaching icon

• $3M Endorsements 6.3M Instagram Followers
• 11.2M Facebook Followers 11.1M Twitter Followers

The epitome of an unsung hero, it's easy to see this gifted Swiss-born Croat as being some glorified water carrier in a Barcelona side gleaming with stars such as Messi, Suarez, Neymar and Iniesta. Yet, of course, he's much more than that, someone whose midfield industry and intelligence enabled him to take over from the incomparable Xavi so seamlessly after his signing from Sevilla that he was key in helping Barca to the Champions League/La Liga/Copa del Rey treble in his first season in 2014-15 and a Liga/Copa double the next.

Big in Japan

Rakitic might be in shadows in the Barca firmament, but when he went to Japan with the team for the Club World Cup the locals went mad for him, noticing an uncanny similarity between him and wild-haired manga hero Goku. -- Ian Chadband

"To replace Xavi is impossible. I want to give what I can give. I want to be Ivan Rakitic. Not Xavi or Iniesta. They have other qualities. I want to give what I can do." -- Rakitic

• $10M Endorsements 7.6M Instagram Followers
• 3.5M Facebook Followers 628K Twitter Followers

Paul is one of the most instinctive point guards in NBA history, a fierce competitor who might rank much higher on this list if a proposed trade to the Lakers hadn't been quashed by then-commissioner David Stern in 2011. Instead, he went to the laughingstock Clippers, a team that reached the playoffs just four times in their first 33 seasons in California. With Paul running the offense, the Clips have earned six consecutive postseason berths.

Athlete activist

Paul, along with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, made a powerful statement about race relations and gun violence at The ESPYS last year and encouraged fellow athletes to speak out about social issues. -- Thomas Neumann

"As a point guard, I'm like the quarterback, so a turnover is like an interception. And when you have as much firepower as we have, a turnover takes away that opportunity." -- Paul, after a 20-point, 20-assist, zero-turnover game

• $8M Endorsements 6.3M Instagram Followers
• 4.8M Facebook Followers 6M Twitter Followers

Brees will be forever beloved in New Orleans for delivering the Saints an emotional Super Bowl championship four years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He also will go down as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history, currently ranked third in career passing yards and touchdowns. Indeed, Brees has come a long way since being benched in favor of 41-year-old Doug Flutie back in 2003.

Philanthropic passion

Brees and wife Brittany have been active in charitable endeavors, including rebuilding efforts after Katrina and assistance for cancer patients. -- Thomas Neumann

"We're here because of their strength and everything they fought through here the last few years. They've given us so much support, so we owe it all to our fans." -- Brees, after the Saints' victory in Super Bowl XLIV

• $12M Endorsements 465K Instagram Followers
• 2M Facebook Followers 2.7M Twitter Followers

The world's 13 biggest soccer transfers have involved creative attackers. The 14th? Well, the frizzy-haired Brazilian, who went to Paris Saint-Germain from Chelsea for £50 million and back again for another £38 million, has always been a very different sort of defender, a careering, daring talent whose risk-taking has your heart engulfing your mouth. He often has looked like an accident waiting to happen, and sometimes it really does. Yet now Luiz seems to have grown into the stoic, dependable stalwart behind the Blues' march toward another Premier League title.

Genuine emotion

When Luiz tearfully apologized to "all the Brazilian people" for a 7-1 humiliation against Germany in the World Cup semifinal, the nation was touched. One young fan wrote to him: "You were a great captain. Life is like this, sometimes people lose and sometimes people win but people only need to be happy. David Luiz, you are my champion." Ah, bless. -- Ian Chadband

"David's beyond funny, he's crazy. Nobody's relaxed when he is around because he either jumps on you or surprises you." -- John Obi Mikel, a former teammate

• $460K Endorsements 16.2M Instagram Followers
• 25.8M Facebook Followers 8.4M Twitter Followers

Few have the vision and skill to pick a pass quite like the intelligent Spanish midfielder who has won everything in the game except a Champions League winner's medal -- and that could arrive next season if he continues to play a key part in Chelsea's flowering. Manager Antonio Conte did not have much use for Fàbregas at the start of his reign, but when the former Arsenal and Barcelona playmaker got the chance, he made enough telling interventions to be indispensable. You don't earn 13 trophies without being a serial winner.

Made for television

In 2008, he was perhaps the first footballer to be given his own one-hour TV special. Sponsored by Nike, "The Cesc Fàbregas Show" aired on Sky Sports and featured various distinguished talking heads from sport, stage and screen all raving about him. Not bad for a 21-year-old. -- Ian Chadband

"Like Andrea Pirlo, if Cesc doesn't run 100 meters in 10 seconds, I can allow him this, because he's a genius with the ball. His velocity is in his mind." -- Antonio Conte, Chelsea manager

• $5M Endorsements 8.5M Instagram Followers
• 7.2M Facebook Followers 9M Twitter Followers

The Seattle Seahawks became perennial contenders upon Wilson's arrival as an underrated third-round draft pick in 2012. After he led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl victory in his second pro season, he became the NFL's most popular player in terms of licensed products sold. Despite that, he might be only the second-most famous person in his household since marrying singer/actress Ciara last year.

Now boarding

Wilson has a deal to be "chief football officer" for Alaska Airlines, which has offered priority boarding for flights out of Seattle during football season for passengers wearing the quarterback's No. 3 jersey. -- Jim Caple

"I think for me, football comes first. If I don't focus on football, those other things won't come my way. I think you earn respect and earn what you're worth by the way you present yourself, by the way that you play, by the way that you work." -- Wilson

• $10M Endorsements 2.9M Instagram Followers
• 2.2M Facebook Followers 3.2M Twitter Followers

Rodgers is the face of the franchise for one of the NFL's most storied teams and an omnipresent pitch man whose championship-belt touchdown celebration has been immortalized in a series of insurance commercials. He famously dated actress Olivia Munn for three years before their recent split. Oh yeah, Rodgers also just happens to be a Super Bowl champion, a six-time Pro Bowler and the NFL's career leader in passer rating.

Brain power

Rodgers showed off his knowledge with a victorious appearance on "Celebrity Jeopardy" in 2015. The quarterback outsmarted astronaut Mark Kelly and "Shark Tank" regular Kevin O'Leary to earn a $50,000 donation to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund. -- Thomas Neumann

"I still feel pretty young. I think I have a number of years left in me [where] I can play at a high level." -- Rodgers, in January 2017, a month after he turned 33

• $8M Endorsements NA Instagram Followers
• NA Facebook Followers 2.9M Twitter Followers

In the storied Brazilian tradition of Carlos Alberto and Cafu, Alves is the greatest right-back of his generation. He trails only Paolo Maldini's haul of major European trophies (Champions League, Europa League and Super Cup), having claimed nine to the Italian icon's 10. He has more assists for Leo Messi than anyone else in Barcelona history.

Perfect comeback

A 2014 incident in which a Villarreal fan threw a banana on the field as Alves was taking a corner kicked caused an international anti-racism social media campaign after Alves picked the fruit up and took a bite. Fellow athletes and at least one head of state posted pictures of themselves, in unity with Alves, eating bananas. -- Dotun Akintoye

"I don't understand why everyone fights for power, money, fame. Has no one stopped to think that fame is s---?" -- Alves

• $4.2M Endorsements 13.1M Instagram Followers
• 8.1M Facebook Followers 7.8M Twitter Followers

"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" summed up the perception of Garcia for nearly two decades. He had long been one of the world's most popular golfers, but his failure to win a major championship despite 22 top-10 finishes helped define his career. That narrative ended this spring when Garcia, a five-time Ryder Cup champion who once ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, won the Masters.

The first heartbreak

Months after turning pro in 1999, Garcia announced his presence to the golf world in a memorable duel against Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship. Just 19 at the time, Garcia would finish second, one stroke behind the 23-year-old Woods, for the first if his four runner-up performances in majors. -- Thomas Neumann

"It's been an amazing week, and I'm going to enjoy it for the rest of my life." -- Garcia, after winning the 2017 Masters

• $13M Endorsements 123K Instagram Followers
• 129K Facebook Followers 711K Twitter Followers

Perhaps the only adequate way to describe the miracle of Pacquiao's career is to ask you to imagine an eighth grader traveling around the world and knocking out the toughest high school seniors he can find. Winning world titles in a record eight weight classes ranging from flyweight (112 pounds) to super welterweight (154 pounds) is one of the major achievements in the history of sports -- in fact, it's one of the major achievements of the human body.

Manny of many talents

When you're as famous as Pacquiao, people let you do things for which you have no obvious previous competence, like coach and start at point guard for a professional basketball team or get elected to the Philippine senate. -- Dotun Akintoye

"Not only boxing, but the world would be better off if every division had a Manny Pacquiao. We'd have peace in the Middle East and global warming would cool off." -- Larry Merchant, legendary boxing analyst

• $2.5M Endorsements 3.7M Instagram Followers
• 11.5M Facebook Followers 124K Twitter Followers

Manning is part of the first family of NFL quarterbacking, the aww-shucks son of Archie and little brother to Peyton. He's capable of leading an unlikely comeback or making a game-changing mistake. But no matter how many interceptions Eli throws -- he has led the league in picks three times -- he will always have those two glorious Super Bowl victories over the Patriots, justifying the Giants' trade to acquire him on draft day in 2004.

Commercial arts

Eli isn't quite as prolific in the endorsement world as Peyton (is anyone?), but the brothers have teamed up for some memorable and regrettable commercials over the years. -- Thomas Neumann

"This isn't about one person. This is about a team coming together." -- Manning, on winning Super Bowl XLVI after the Giants went 9-7 in the 2011 regular season

Lillard wears uniform No. 0 for the Portland Trail Blazers, which might as well represent the amount of hesitation he shows under pressure -- evidenced by the series-clinching 3-pointer he hit to oust the Rockets in the 2014 playoffs. In reality, the zero represents the letter O, a nod to his hometown of Oakland, his college town of Ogden, Utah, (home of Weber State) and his pro state of Oregon. Lillard was unanimously named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013, beating out No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Davis. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most consistent scorers in the league.

Like many athletes before him, Lillard has ventured into the music world. Unlike with most of those before him, his work has actually received positive reviews. His debut album, released last year under his Dame D.O.L.L.A. pseudonym, includes guest appearances by Lil Wayne, Jamie Foxx and Juvenile. -- Thomas Neumann

"A lot of times, the team will go as I go. That goes for more than just scoring the ball. That means how focused I am, how accountable I'm holding myself." -- Lillard

• $10M Endorsements 3.3M Instagram Followers
• 2.7M Facebook Followers 1.2M Twitter Followers

Fowler hasn't won a major yet, though he has come close, finishing second at the U.S. Open and British Open in 2014. At age 21 in 2010, he became the youngest American to compete in the Ryder Cup. And unlike many male golfers who declined to play, Fowler proudly represented his country at the 2016 Olympics. And regardless of his results, he has gained attention with his brightly colored fashion style on the course, sometimes wearing all orange or all blue.

Showing some moves

Fowler and three other pro golfers, Ben Crane, Bubba Watson and Hunter Mahan, danced and sang in a faux boy band called Golf Boys for the music video "Oh Oh Oh," which has received close to 8 million views on YouTube. -- Jim Caple

"I don't want to be just known for the way I dress. I want to be known for how I play, how I treat people and how I am as a role model. I don't just want to be, 'He dresses cool' or 'He dresses crazy.' You're going to have lovers and haters." -- Fowler

• $11M Endorsements 1M Instagram Followers
• 111K Facebook Followers 1.4M Twitter Followers

Griffin soared to fame as a founding member of the Lob City dunking fraternity, with Clippers point guard Chris Paul throwing passes aloft and Griffin and teammate DeAndre Jordan slamming them home. He also tasted infamy for punching a team equipment manager in 2016, breaking his hand and earning a suspension in the process. Griffin led Oklahoma to the Elite Eight of the 2009 NCAA tournament and then became the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft that year.

He's shot an efficient 51.8 percent from the floor in his career, but he's also shown a deft touch for deadpan comedy in commercials, original videos on his "Funny or Die" channel and the occasional stand-up routine. -- Thomas Neumann

"He's a monster. He's so skilled and smart, and he's the perfect player." -- Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets coach, on Griffin

• $8M Endorsements 3.1M Instagram Followers
• 3.9M Facebook Followers 4.1M Twitter Followers

Beckham is as exciting as any player in the NFL, a shape-shifting receiver who vaulted himself to stardom in the blink of an eye with an inexplicable, one-handed catch as a rookie in 2014. He set the bar high in that Sunday night game against the Cowboys, reeling in a 43-yard touchdown catch behind his head with one hand while fully extended, leaning backward and tip-toeing along the sideline.

Bieber curse strikes

Beckham and three Giants teammates made headlines by partying in Miami with Justin Bieber and Trey Songz following the team's 2016 regular-season finale. The players were scrutinized for the trip heading into a week of postseason preparation, and, sure enough, the Giants suffered 38-13 playoff loss days later. -- Thomas Neumann

"When I was coming into the league, people were talking about Sammy Watkins and a lot of the other guys in my draft class, and I thought, 'I want to be talked about like that. How come no one's talking about me?' Now I look back and think, 'Careful what you wish for.'" -- Beckham

• $6M Endorsements 7.8M Instagram Followers
• 1.4M Facebook Followers 2.1M Twitter Followers

Howard will indelibly be remembered for winning the slam dunk contest at All-Star weekend in 2008 while wearing a blue Superman jersey and a red cape -- and in his case the costume was appropriate. Although his greatest heroics might be behind him -- he led the Orlando Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals in his fifth season -- Howard ranks among the top big men of his era, a broad-shouldered, shot-blocking, rebounding machine.

After Howard departed the Lakers for the Rockets as a free agent in 2013, former teammate Kobe Bryant created headlines by unfollowing him on Twitter. The fact that such a pedestrian event created such a stir indicates the level of celebrity of the players involved. -- Thomas Neumann

"This opportunity is a dream come true and a blessing for me and my family. I look forward to pouring my heart out every night for this city, my teammates and the fans." -- Howard, on signing with his hometown Atlanta Hawks last year

• $4.5M Endorsements 2.1M Instagram Followers
• 4.8M Facebook Followers 6.7M Twitter Followers

Zetao might be as famous for his good looks as his swimming achievements, becoming a social media sensation (more than 8 million followers on China's Weibo website) in the world's most populous country and beyond. His biggest splash in the pool came in 2015, when he became China's first male swimmer to win a FINA World Championships sprint event, taking the gold in the 100 meters. Although he failed to reach the finals in his two individual events at the 2016 Rio Games, the 50 and 100 freestyle, he garnered fawning internet headlines, such as "People Can't Stop Talking About This Hot Olympic Swimmer."

Too much of a good thing?

Zetao has many sponsorship deals, from Adidas and Skullcandy to FitBit China and De Beers China. However, some of his endorsements were for competitors of the national team's sponsors, a no-no that led to him being kicked off the squad. -- Jim Caple

"Before the race, I didn't even think about a medal, I just wanted to show my best. I have had dreams about gold medals, but when I touched the wall I didn't realize I had it." -- Ning, after his historic win at the 2015 worlds

• $1.5M Endorsements NA Instagram Followers

The American swimmer has won 12 medals in four Olympics, including six golds, but he was often overshadowed by the great Michael Phelps in the pool. Lochte's fame -- or infamy, perhaps -- skyrocketed during the 2016 Rio Olympics, when he claimed to have been robbed at a gas station. But it turned out he wasn't exactly an innocent victim and he admittedly had "overexaggerated" the incident, which dominated headlines for much of the games. It led to a 10-month suspension and cost Lochte several endorsement deals, but it also made him a household name.

Fancy footwork

He was asked to compete on "Dancing with the Stars" shortly after the Rio Olympics, and more controversy ensued when two men wearing anti-Lochte T-shirts tried to attack him during his debut on the show. He wound up lasting until Week 8 of the season before he was eliminated. -- Jim Caple

"The fact that people actually want my autograph is crazy." -- Lochte, to Men's Health after the 2012 Olympics

More: Will you still hate Lochte by the end of this story?

• $800K Endorsements 970K Instagram Followers
• 628K Facebook Followers 1.2M Twitter Followers

He's not going to win another World Cup with the Chicago Fire, but he'll always have Brazil. Germany fans will never forget the sight of "Schweini," blood running down his face, refusing to give up in the 2014 World Cup final victory against Argentina. That determination -- might we even say pigheadedness -- defined his illustrious career with Bayern Munich and later Manchester United.

Not-so-secret admirer

Schweini is supposedly soccer-loving German chancellor Angela Merkel's favorite player, and German newspaper Die Zeit ran a series of fictional love letters between the two, one of which read. "Dear Basti, you play like a chancellor!" -- Elaine Teng

"I was always glad when he was on the pitch beside me. You could always count on him." -- Philipp Lahm, former Bayern Munich and Germany teammate

• $4.3M Endorsements 8M Instagram Followers
• 9.5M Facebook Followers 4M Twitter Followers

Junior is a racing legend, a status built from his first full Cup season in 2000, when he won twice. Equal parts performance, pedigree -- Dale Sr. is one of the sport's all-time greats -- and personality, the younger Earnhardt's star has been aided by his longtime relevance in pop culture. He has attended award shows and even appeared in Jay Z's "Show Me What You Got" music video. NASCAR will have a big void to fill when the 42-year-old retires after this season.

Mr. Popularity

In December, fans voted Junior as NASCAR's most-popular driver for an incredible 14th straight year even though he was shelved for much of the 2016 season because of concussion symptoms. -- Anthony Olivieri

"When I run a race, I, maybe inadvertently or unknowingly, concern myself with whether the fan was entertained or got what he expected or whether they got what I think they deserved out of me and out of the race." -- Earnhardt in 2014

• $9M Endorsements 421K Instagram Followers
• 2.9M Facebook Followers 2M Twitter Followers

Chicharito -- "little pea" -- as he's known, has played for some of the world's most popular teams -- Chivas, Manchester United and Real Madrid -- and is now wowing the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen. Yet first and foremost, Hernández is the obsession of a country, not a club. Mexico was proud of him when he became the trailblazer who went to United; it turned on him when he spurned the Olympic team; and now it has fallen in love all over again with the man who in March equaled the national team record with his 46th international goal.

Peas from a pod

It's in the blood. Hernández is the third generation of his family to play in a World Cup, his grandfather having played in 1954 and his dad in 1986. Will there be a fourth-generation pea? No wonder Mexico has such an interest in Chicharito's love life. -- Ian Chadband

"He's the only thing Mexicans believe in right now. We don't believe the government, the institutions, the political parties. But through months and months of this crisis, Chicharito has brought us good news in front of the whole world." -- Guadalupe Loaeza, Mexican writer and cultural commentator during turbulent months in 2011

• $3M Endorsements 3.8M Instagram Followers
• 4.9M Facebook Followers 7.4M Twitter Followers

Check the résumé: No. 1-ranked men's table tennis player; award for best male athlete of 2016 from CCTV, China state television; one of the most decorated players in table tennis history (23 ITTF World Tour singles titles). And after not qualifying individually for the London Games, Ma completed a career grand slam with a gold in Rio. The captain of the Chinese men's table tennis team, a rásumá-builder on its own, is kind of a big deal.

Quenching a thirst

Nothing wrong with a stiff drink after a long day. But for most of us, it's not necessary for improved job performance. But Ma's coach, Liu Guoliang, told AFP that he directs Long to the closest watering hole when "the pressure gets very high." In China, at least, something tells us drinks are on the house. -- Anthony Olivieri

"After the Olympic Games, table tennis is very popular in China, I hope we can make it more popular in all parts of the world." -- Ma

• NA Endorsements NA Instagram Followers

When he was a kid, Kroos was so good a high school PE teacher made him play barefoot to give the other boys a chance. Now the linchpin of Real Madrid's midfield, Kroos was a role model for Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who said, "When I neared the end of my career, I followed him closely and tried to play like Kroos." Never mind the fact that Scholes is more than 15 years older than the 27-year-old German.

There's no better bargaining chip than being the best. When Bayern Munich refused to raise Kroos' salary in 2014 to match those of more established stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm, he simply shrugged his shoulders and left. For Real Madrid -- "a cut above Bayern," per Kroos' description. -- Elaine Teng

"Kroos is a wonderful player. He's doing everything right. The pace in his passes is great, and he sees everything. It's nearly perfect." -- Johan Cruyff, late soccer legend

• $3.2M Endorsements 11.4M Instagram Followers
• 11.6M Facebook Followers 4.5M Twitter Followers

Rose, an Englishman born in South Africa, was the U.S. Open champion in 2013 and the gold medalist for golf's return to the Olympics in Rio last year. With seven career PGA Tour wins and nine more on the European Tour, he is a regular on the English Ryder Cup team and mainstay in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking. He just missed out on a second major when he lost a playoff with Sergio Garcia at the 2017 Masters.

Flashing the gold

At the urging of Phil Mickelson and Jim "Bones" Mackay, Mickelson's caddie, Rose wore his Olympic medal while putting out on the final hole at The Barclays tournament last August, drawing cheers from the crowd. -- Ben Arledge

"You can drink out of the Claret Jug and I guess the Olympic gold would be a nice coaster for the glass of wine." -- Rose, comparing The Open trophy, which he hasn't won, to his Olympic prize

• $10M Endorsements 359K Instagram Followers
• NA Facebook Followers 721K Twitter Followers

Watt is one of the most feared players in the NFL, a sack-happy defensive end whose size, strength and quickness create matchup problems for even the most adept offenses. He's also practically able to leap tall buildings in a single bound . The Houston Texans stalwart started 83 consecutive games to begin his career and was seemingly indestructible until a back injury cut his season short in 2016.

Hard hitter

In addition to demolishing quarterbacks, Watt has been known to crush objects with a bat while taking batting practice with the Astros and during his annual charity softball game and home run derby. -- Thomas Neumann

"You're away from the game for a year, like I've said many, many times before, it reaffirms how much you love it, how passionate you are about it, how badly you want to go out and play with your teammates and just enjoy the game." -- Watt, this offseason, after missing 13 games last year

• $7M Endorsements 2.5M Instagram Followers
• 1.9M Facebook Followers 3.2M Twitter Followers

Hope Solo might be the most dominant goalkeeper women's soccer has ever seen, but that's not what she's most famous for. That's a tossup between domestic assault charges, many controversial comments and multiple suspensions from U.S. Soccer. A polarizing figure who never has shied away from attention, Solo inspires love and hate in extremes. Her teammates have come to her defense: Abby Wambach told ESPN in 2015 that Solo "was turned into the villain" because, perhaps, "a villain was what the team needed."

To the victors ...

Say what you will about Solo, but after the United States won the 2015 Women's World Cup she and her teammates received a key to New York City from Mayor Bill de Blasio, met President Barack Obama and were the first women's sports team to receive a ride down New York's Canyon of Heroes. -- Elaine Teng

"No matter what, people will think I'm selfish, outspoken. Controversial. I can never just be 'Hope Solo, the longtime goalkeeper for the national team.'" -- Solo

• NA Endorsements 856K Instagram Followers
• 2M Facebook Followers 1.1M Twitter Followers

The most talented, skillful, imperious central defender of his era -- and with all due respect to the likes of Ramos, Pique and Bonuccci, it's not even close. When Qatar Sports Investments bought Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, the new ownership group made Silva one of its first targets in its bid for European prominence. There simply is no other defender in the world who is that valuable.

You haven't really accomplished a thing until rappers start naming songs after you, an accolade Silva earned in 2016 with the Dave and AJ Tracey track "Thiago Silva." -- Dotun Akintoye

"You can't say, 'I'll sell Silva and buy a similar player.' There are no similar players around, only worse ones." -- Alessandro Nesta, former teammate

• NA Facebook Followers 114K Twitter Followers

Is he the real deal or just another overhyped English soccer hope who's a triumph of 21st-century excess over real substance? Either way, it should be exciting to find out more about the electric Manchester City winger who at 22 is already the most expensive English player of all time, having moved from Liverpool for £49 million. Actually, it's easy to feel a little sympathy for the Jamaican-born lad who already has felt the unfairness of being the scapegoat when England fails. Instead, we should celebrate that, on his day, Sterling is solid gold.

From humble beginnings

Sterling has been able to buy a £1 million mansion in Kingston, which is a world away from where he grew up in a violent slum in the Jamaican capital before moving to London as a kid. Hs critics sometimes forget how hard Sterling has had to battle to arrive where he has. -- Ian Chadband

"He is the best young player in European football at the moment. At 19 years of age you don't see anyone better." -- Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager, in 2014

• $6.4M Endorsements 2.3M Instagram Followers
• 2.2M Facebook Followers 1.3M Twitter Followers

If Messi and Ronaldo are the best in the world -- in whatever order -- is it perhaps time to put Hazard, the breathtakingly quicksilver, slaloming Chelsea star, in the argument for the third man? After his inexplicably flat season following his coronation as 2014-15 PFA Player of the Year, he has soared to fresh heights again, making redundant all the old jokes about the difficulty of naming a famous Belgian. At this rate, even Eddy Merckx had better watch out, especially if Real Madrid end up breaking the world transfer record to take Eden to their Bernabeu paradise.

A fresh coat

The weirdest honor to Hazard is to be found outside the stadium in the little Belgian town of Tubize, where he spent his formative footballing years. It's actually a statue of the former French great Michel Platini which has been repainted by a local artist to look like their favorite son. Er, and it doesn't. -- Ian Chadband

"I want to see him go third on the Ballon d'Or list one day soon and I think he'll do it." -- Thorgan Hazard, Borussia Monchengladbach player and Eden's brother

• $4M Endorsements 8.1M Instagram Followers
• 8.6M Facebook Followers 4.8M Twitter Followers

Sometimes, fame strikes early and the achievements never quite catch up. When he became the youngest England soccer international at 17 years, 74 days, Walcott had the world at his mercurial feet. Though the Arsenal winger has enjoyed a determined and worthy -- if injury-scarred -- career, still the feeling nags away that he has underachieved, or at least only intermittently achieved, for club and country. He scored his 100th goal for the Gunners this year and has had an impressive campaign, suggesting that he's still diligently trying to improve at age 28. We're still waiting, Theo.

Pie's the limit

They named a pie after him -- a yummy spicy jerk chicken and porter ale pastry -- at Arsenal's favorite local pie emporium to inspire him before the 2015 FA Cup final. Not only did "The Theo Walcott" win a silver medal in British Pie Awards, Walcott went on to score the opener in the win over Aston Villa. -- Ian Chadband

"The kid is lightning; he can run through puddles and not make a splash." -- Harry Redknapp, who managed Walcott at Southampton, with the famous comment that helped build the hype around a teenage phenom

• $7.6M Endorsements 2.1M Instagram Followers
• 4.4M Facebook Followers 1.4M Twitter Followers

When you score your country's first World Cup goal ever, as Drogba did for Ivory Coast in 2006, you won't soon be forgotten. Known for his strength, ball control, and free kick prowess, Drogba is the all-time leading scorer for Ivory Coast (65 goals) and ranks fourth on Chelsea's career list (164). The two-time African Footballer of the Year helped Chelsea win four Premier League championships and a Champions League title.

Rising to the challenge

The 39-year-old signed on this year to play for Phoenix Rising FC, an Arizona club in the second-tier United Soccer League with aspirations of joining MLS. He also received ownership equity in the team and plans to move into the front office when he's done playing. -- Ben Arledge

"I believe I can help them reach MLS. They called me and asked me to be the face of the franchise. That was amazing to me." -- Drogba, on choosing to help Phoenix Rising secure an expansion spot in the top U.S. league

More: Next chapter in Drogba's adventure

• $5M Endorsements 4.9M Instagram Followers
• 9M Facebook Followers 1.3M Twitter Followers

"Show the world you are better than Messi," Germany manager Joachim Löw told substitute Götze before sending him on in the 88th minute of the deadlocked 2014 World Cup final. And so he did, scoring the extra-time goal that crushed Messi and Argentina's dreams of World Cup glory. On top of that, the 24-year-old attacker already has five Bundesliga titles and three German Cup medals to his name. Need we say more?

Many admirers

Though he's currently sidelined by a metabolic disorder, Götze has been praised by nearly every luminary in the game. Matthias Sammer called him "one of the greatest talents we have ever had," Felix Magath said he was a "once-in-a-century talent," and Pep Guardiola, when he became Bayern Munich's manager, put Götze at the top of his wish list. -- Elaine Teng

"Götze is a miracle boy, a boy wonder. He can play any position up front. I know he's always able to decide a match." -- Joachim Löw, German national team manager

• $2.7M Endorsements 8.2M Instagram Followers
• 10.5M Facebook Followers 3.6M Twitter Followers

When you can come off the bench and achieve the frankly unreal feat of scoring five goals in nine minutes as Lewandowski did for Bayern Munich in a Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, you know you're talking of somebody who's just a bit special. Built for the 21st century with his lethal technique and supreme athleticism that has been honed by his karate champion wife, Anna, "Lewangoalski" might just be the most complete center forward in the business.

Power couple

Lewandowski and his wife are Poland's answer to the Beckhams, a source of endless fascination, myth and mystery. In 2015, it was reported he hired a helicopter to fly to a distant bakery so Anna could buy her favorite brioche. Yes, a €5,000 brioche. -- Ian Chadband

"He could have scored seven. We have to be critical of that and remind him of the chances he missed. It's unacceptable!" -- Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, jokingly, after Lewandowski's five-goal outburst

• $2.5M Endorsements 8.5M Instagram Followers
• 9.1M Facebook Followers 751K Twitter Followers

It's a testament to how magnificent Reus can be that despite his seemingly unending series of injuries, he's still coveted by Europe's top clubs. Borussia Dortmund fans love the face of the "FIFA 17" video game for his pace, technique and, above all, loyalty. Unlike Mario GÖtze, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski, his teammates in BVB's memorable run to the 2014 Champions League final, he's turned down multiple offers to leave his boyhood club, which had released him as a teenager thinking he was too small.

Fine by him

When you earn €10 million a year, it's easy to pay one of the biggest driving fines in German history. During a routine stop in 2014, police discovered that Reus never had a valid driver's license. Turns out he'd been cruising around in his Aston Martin with a fake Dutch license for years, and he was fined €540,000 (approximately $650,000). -- Elaine Teng

"I've told Marco that he has earned a place in heaven for that. I've never seen anything like it." -- Jürgen Klopp, Borussia Dortmund manager, on a Reus assist in a win over Hamburg

• $1.8M Endorsements 5.2M Instagram Followers
• 13.5M Facebook Followers 2.8M Twitter Followers

Take the racial barrier he's broken, his decade of dominance, his swashbuckling dare-it-all style on the track, his effortless panache, and you've got Formula One's only legitimate crossover driver. He Instagrams with the best of them, lets Beiber hang in his pit, mugs on the cover of Time magazine and shows up in The New York Times style section.

Winning all over

The three-time season champion owns F1 victories on a record 24 different courses after he finally notched his first victory in Brazil last year in his 10th start at Interlagos. That leaves Baku, Azerbaijan, which was added to the calendar last year, as the only active circuit Hamilton hasn't conquered. -- Dotun Akintoye

"You make hay while the sun shines, and if he keeps focused he can break every record out there." -- Nigel Mansell, racing legend

• $4M Endorsements 3.9M Instagram Followers
• 3.8M Facebook Followers 4.2M Twitter Followers

Day has been a fixture in the top 10 since 2014, finishing the 2016 season as the world's top-ranked player. He won the 2015 PGA Championship, shooting a major-record 20-under. He is a four-time runner-up at other majors. And he's done all that despite having to fight off bouts of vertigo during his career. An Australian native now living in Ohio, Day also received some attention when LeBron James accidentally collided with his wife during a Cavaliers game.

Humble beginnings

Day has done pretty well for himself as a pro golfer, earning more than $35 million in prize money since turning pro in 2006. That's pretty impressive, considering he grew up in poverty in Queensland. He has told reporters he found his first golf club in a garbage heap and that his family had to heat water in a kettle for showers because there was no working hot water tank. -- Jim Caple

"There's a lot of spotlight that comes along with being the best in the world." -- Day

• $8.5M Endorsements 416K Instagram Followers
• NA Facebook Followers 432K Twitter Followers

A seven-time NASCAR Cup champion and the first to win five in a row, Johnson has more than 80 career wins and has finished in the top 10 in 60 percent of his starts. Off the track, he launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation more than a decade ago, helping families in need.

That's entertainment

Johnson appeared as himself, along with Jeff Gordon, in the 2005 movie "Herbie: Fully Loaded" and had a cameo as a pilot in the 2016 music video for The Avett Brothers' "Ain't No Man." In 2015 he provided the voice of a lobster in the animated kids show "Bubble Guppies." -- Ben Arledge

"I never dreamed of being famous. I never wanted to be famous. I never wanted to be a champion. I just wanted to race." -- Johnson

• $7M Endorsements 324K Instagram Followers
• 1M Facebook Followers 2.4M Twitter Followers

Wozniacki is the only tennis player from Denmark, woman or man, to be ranked No. 1 in the world, a spot she held for 67 weeks over two stints from 2010 to 2012. She has won 24 WTA singles titles and more than $23 million in her career. But she hasn't broken through in a Grand Slam, despite eight trips to the quarterfinals or beyond, including losses in the 2009 and 2014 US Open finals. She also ran the 2014 New York City marathon in under 3½ hours. And she is best friends with her biggest competitor, Serena Williams.

Significant others

In 2014, Wozniacki announced on Twitter that she and Rory McIlroy were engaged, but the pro golfer later broke off the relationship after wedding invitations had been mailed. Lately, she has been spending time in the company of San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee. -- Jim Caple

"She's one of my true friends that will tell me the truth no matter what because she doesn't have anything to gain or to lose, and that's what I love about her." -- Williams on Wozniacki

• $7M Endorsements 1M Instagram Followers
• 1.5M Facebook Followers 1.9M Twitter Followers

When it comes to Chinese athletes, this badminton star is revolutionary. In a country where most athletes are government employees expected to toe the line, Lin is a bad-boy sex symbol whose notoriety only adds to his celebrity. Known as "Super Dan," he's a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is still ranked in the top 10 in the world. Many expected him to retire after the Rio Olympics, but now age 33, he's reignited a popular longtime rivalry -- and bromance -- with veteran Malaysian pro Lee Chong Wei.

Formidable pair

Lin is one half of badminton's golden couple, married to former world No. 1 Xie Xingfang. He launched his own brand of men's underwear in 2015, with himself as the model. -- Elaine Teng

"I think they [Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei] are irreplaceable, now or in future. They are good role models we young players should learn from." -- Chen Long, reigning Olympic champion

More: Why Lin is the bad boy of badminton

• 303K Facebook Followers NA Twitter Followers

Inside the ring, the man called Canelo is a proponent of suffocating and sophisticated aggression (just watch the jab feint and overhand right that finished Amir Khan last May). Outside the ring, he's been blessed with a superhero's jawline and a devoted fan base that's been following his exploits since he debuted as 15-year-old in Mexico.

Bigger in Texas

His September 2016 bout against Liam Smith was attended by 51,240 fight fans at AT&T Stadium, breaking the Dallas arena's previous attendance record for a boxing match set in Manny Pacquiao's defeat of Joshua Clottey in 2010. -- Dotun Akintoye

"Canelo does everything good. He goes to the body good, he got a good jab, he's a good counterpuncher, he's not 42-0 for nothing ... well, now he's 42-1, but in my eyes he's still a champion." -- Floyd Mayweather, after his victory over Álvarez in 2013

• $1.5M Endorsements 1.4M Instagram Followers
• 1.9M Facebook Followers 866K Twitter Followers

After beating a rare form of lung cancer, Singh has given fans someone to look up to when things gets tough. And boy has he remade his life, as a successful cricketer, businessman, philanthropist and new husband to actress Hazel Keech. He also has launched the YouWeCan foundation to fight cancer.

Yuvi's got style

Even before Singh started his sportswear brand YWC in the fall of 2016, we knew he had style. But his new line provided a deep dive into his fashion sense, and it was amazing. YWC's blue hoodies for men and crop tops for women are particularly popular. -- Aishwarya Kumar

"I was not going to feel sorry for myself. No, why should I? When my form came back, or when I picked up wickets, or when I got the big scores, or when I got player of the match, or hit six sixes, had I ever asked God, 'Why me?' Of course not. ... So when the illness came, I had no right to ask, 'Why me?'" -- Singh, in his autobiography "The Test of My Life"

More: Singh is playing the game of his life

• $1.3M Endorsements 3M Instagram Followers
• 13.3M Facebook Followers 4.1M Twitter Followers

Müller doesn't look like your typical striker, with his skinny legs and slouchy socks, but he's lethal in front of goal, especially during the World Cup. He's only the third player to score five goals in a World Cup tournament twice, and at 27 he has one eye on former Germany teammate Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup record of 16 goals.

Horsing around

Born in the Bavarian countryside, Müller has stuck close to his roots. He and his wife, Lisa, spend much of their free time at the stables, where she rides horses and he breeds them. "I come here to watch if everything's fine," he told CNN in 2015. "And for the carrots! I'm the managing director of carrots!" -- Elaine Teng

"Muscles don't grow on me. If you can't count on your physical attributes, you have to switch on your brain and make certain runs to avoid getting tackled." -- Müller

• $3.2M Endorsements 3.8M Instagram Followers
• 9.3M Facebook Followers 3.2M Twitter Followers

Having maneuvered through success, heartbreak and near tragedy, all with equal humility, it's no wonder the Brazilian is beloved in Formula One circles. Despite winning the 2008 finale at Interlagos, he painstakingly lost the season title to Lewis Hamilton by a single point. The next year, he almost lost his life in a freak accident when he crashed after a loose spring from another car struck him in the head. He came back in 2010, and although he hasn't since added to his total of 11 wins, his popularity hasn't waned.

Off again, on again

Massa announced his retirement near the end of last year -- there was even a teary farewell at the Brazilian Grand Prix -- but his fans' heartbreak was short-lived, as he agreed to continue driving for Williams after Valtteri Bottas bolted for Mercedes. -- Aishwarya Kumar

"I am very proud to have been here so long. Even if I lost the championship by one point, I managed to achieve many dreams. I achieved more than I ever expected." -- Massa, after announcing his retirement, which turned out to be temporary, last year

• $7M Endorsements 2.6M Instagram Followers
• 769K Facebook Followers 1.1M Twitter Followers

Bouchard shot to stardom in 2014, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and French Open before going a step further at Wimbledon and becoming the first Canadian woman to play in a Grand Slam final. She also has the looks of Grace Kelly/Margot Robbie, which has expanded her fan base beyond tennis' borders. In 2015, SportsPro Media ranked Bouchard as the world's most marketable athlete. Her playing career, however, has sputtered -- a concussion-causing slip in the locker room at the 2015 US Open didn't help matters -- and she has dropped out of the WTA top 50 after peaking at No. 5.

Her own army

Members of a global fan club known as the Genie Army attend her matches wearing Genie Army T-shirts and singing fun lyrics that play off old hits, turning "Shake Your Booty" into "Shake your Bou-chard" and "Hey Jude" into "Hey Bouchard." -- Jim Caple

"It was really cool to see that kind of support, something that they organized so well. Even if I'm down, they're trying to sing their songs and stuff. They're more positive than me almost." -- Bouchard, on the Genie Army

• $5.5M Endorsements 1.4M Instagram Followers
• 1.5M Facebook Followers 1.2M Twitter Followers

Watson is a putting paradox -- extremely popular with fans but something of a pariah to many of his peers on the PGA Tour. The two-time Masters champion is known for his colorful public personality and willingness to speak candidly. He also was listed as the player least likely to receive help in a fight in an anonymous poll of PGA Tour members in 2015. On the course, Watson has won nine PGA Tour events over the course of his career and climbed as high as No. 2 in the world rankings.

In Tiger's territory

In 2013, Watson bought a ritzy Florida mansion from fellow multiple-Masters winner Tiger Woods, who had good reason to unload the property. It was the site of 2009 SUV crash that was the first public sign of trouble for Woods in what evolved into a sex scandal. -- Thomas Neumann

"I don't play the sport for fame. I don't try to win tournaments for fame. I don't do any of that. It's just me. I'm just Bubba. I goof around. I joke around. I just want to be me and play golf." -- Watson

• $7M Endorsements 555K Instagram Followers
• 428K Facebook Followers 1.9M Twitter Followers

He led the first-year Gujarat Lions to the 2016 Indian Premier League playoffs, and in the process, he became the first Indian cricketer to score 6,000 T20 runs. This year at the IPL auction, he showed his leadership skills again by snatching a league-high 11 players for the Lions. With this strong statement, he is looking to make a strong comeback after a lukewarm season in the international arena.

Captaincy calling

As a middle order batsman with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and India's national team, Raina was in the shadows of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. So when the Super Kings were suspended in 2016 and the Lions tabbed Raina to lead them, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, signing a $2 million deal. -- Aishwarya Kumar

"I never have issues in handling the fame. I was in a boarding school, as I am from a middle-class family. We didn't have a lot of money, so we all learned to respect money and understood its real value." -- Raina

• $339K Endorsements 2.7M Instagram Followers
• 2.8M Facebook Followers 7.7M Twitter Followers

Last year, no less a soccer seer than Pep Guardiola personally got on the phone to convince the then-teenager to join him at Manchester City. He won the Bola de Ouro, given to the best player in Brazil, captured the Olympic gold on home soil, helped form a devastating attacking trident for the rejuvenated Selecao along with Neymar and Philippe Coutinho and led Palmeiras to a championship in the Brazilian top flight. All of this before he turned 20.

Religious experience

The home fans at his former club in Brazil, Palmeiras, loved him so much their adulation bordered on sacrilege. "Glory, glory, hallelujah, he's Gabriel Jesus," they'd sing. -- Dotun Akintoye

"He's the best player I've seen come through the ranks in Brazil since I returned from Germany in 2006. I've seen a lot of players come through. But Gabriel Jesus is different. He has some spectacular talents." -- Ze Roberto, former Brazil and Bayern Munich midfielder

• $6.2M Endorsements 2.3M Instagram Followers
• 54K Facebook Followers 139K Twitter Followers

He was 3 when he was the last kid to arrive at practice, and the only spot left was in goal. Lucky for Germany and Bayern Munich, because Neuer went on to redefine the position. The World Cup winner never lost the thirst to play outfield, and instead incorporated his skill with the ball into his goalkeeping. The ultimate sweeper-keeper, he's as good with his feet as with his hands. Today, thanks to Neuer, it's no longer enough for keepers to just block shots; the offense starts there.

Getting animated

Neuer is the German version of actor John Krasinski -- at least according to Pixar, which tapped the five-time Bundesliga champion for the voice of blue creature Frank McCay in the German version of "Monsters University." -- Elaine Teng

"He gives his team calmness with his aura, is great with the ball on his feet and makes impossible saves. He has his own era. He is the best one in the category 'modern keeper' for years." -- Gianluigi Buffon, legendary Italian keeper

• $2.2M Endorsements 6M Instagram Followers
• 9M Facebook Followers 3.8M Twitter Followers

Scott is only a few years younger than Tiger Woods but has long been a fan of his swing, and he aimed to emulate that perfect motion. That technique has worked out pretty well, with Scott going on to become the first Australian to win a Masters -- after a thrilling playoff duel against Angel Cabrera in 2013 -- and the second Aussie to reach No. 1 in the world. When not golfing, he enjoys pursuing his other athletic passion -- surfing.

Hey, good looking

As if being a green jacket holder wasn't cool enough, Scott was named the sexiest golfer on tour based on a survey by Golfmates.com, a dating website for single golfers. His smile and charming personality made him the obvious choice, with 58 percent of men and 50 percent of women voting for him. -- Aishwarya Kumar

"Australia's a proud sporting nation and this was one notch on the belt that we'd never got." -- Scott, after his breakthrough Masters victory

• $8.5M Endorsements NA Instagram Followers
• 188K Facebook Followers NA Twitter Followers

Six Olympic medals (including three golds), two World Gymnastics Championship golds and three U.S. championship golds ain't too shabby. Raisman captained both the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic teams and joined Gabby Douglas as the only Americans with back-to-back team gold medals. On a different kind of floor, Raisman appeared on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2013 and finished fourth.

Experienced -- not old

Raisman was kiddingly called "Grandma Aly" by her teammates on the 2016 U.S. team because of her age -- at 22, ancient by Olympic gymnastics standards, she was the team's oldest member -- and her fondness for naps. She was also the senior member of the 2012 squad. -- Ben Arledge

"You know, we get so caught up in winning all the time but it's also even more important to be a good person, so that's what I learned." -- Raisman

• $450K Endorsements 2.2M Instagram Followers
• 508K Facebook Followers 914K Twitter Followers

Hailed as "Messi of the Pyramids" in the Italian media, the Egyptian winger started his career at left-back. When he was 16, his local team beat their rivals 4-0. Instead of celebrating with his teammates, Salah burst into tears, distraught because he hadn't scored in the historic win. This prompted his coach to move the defender up front, where he scored 35 goals the next season and never looked back. Having made his name in Switzerland at FC Basel, Salah endured an unsuccessful spell at Jose Mourinho's Chelsea before moving to Serie A.

That's amore

There is no declaration of love in Italy like having a pizza named after you, which is exactly what happened to Salah when he played in Florence. -- Elaine Teng

"He's young, he's fast, he's creative, he's enthusiastic. He looks the kind of humble personality on the pitch, ready to work for the team and to work and to adapt himself to a new life." -- Mourinho

• $5M Endorsements 3.9M Instagram Followers
• 6.7M Facebook Followers 2.2M Twitter Followers

More Stories

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Disney Ad Sales Site
• Work for ESPN
• Corrections

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Sports Aspire

26 Famous Athletes Who Changed the World of Sports Forever

Successfully working in the world of sports is no easy task. Immense hard work, perseverance, and skill is required to make it to the top, and stay there. This article talks about 26 such sports athletes who changed the world through their immense influence on the games that they played.

Did You Know?

The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame was started in 1959 in remembrance of James Naismith, who invented basketball in 1891. This place is testament to the greatest moments of the game and its brightest stars.

Whenever people talk about sports, it is inevitable that comparisons among players are debated a lot. While most of the discussion looks at cold and hard statistics, the character, guts, and the overall impact of the players on the game is just as important. In the following paragraphs, we have created our list of all-time sports greats, who inspired generations through their game play, and brought in such incredible skills that the way the game is played has changed, and occasionally, the rules of the game had to even be amended just for them.

Athletes That Changed Their Sports

Arguably one of the best players in the history of baseball, Hank Aaron is known for having the career home run record (755 home runs). He was one of the first black players in Major League Baseball, where he was a 25-time All Star, 4-time National League home run, 3-time Golden Glove Award, and 2-time National League batting champion. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball All Century Team.

This athlete won 10 medals at the Olympics track and field events, of which 9 were golds. This makes Carl Lewis one of the most decorated Olympians of all time. Apart from this, he also won 10 World Championship medals, of which eight were gold. His excellence in 100 m, 200 m, long jump, and various relay races earned him the titles of ‘World Athlete of the Century’ by the International Association of Athletics Federations, and ‘Sportsman of the Century’ by the International Olympics Committee.

Shaquille O’Neal

Universally accepted as one of the best center players in basketball, Shaquille had only one weakness: free throws. Due to this, he was often victim to a strategy which involved fouling the center player, regardless of whether he was holding the ball at the time or not, forcing knock down free throws. Shaquille O’Neal made the league change the rules in 2008. Now, an intentional foul on a player without the ball leads to a penalty similar to that of a technical foul, including two free throws by the team in possession, before receiving the ball back.

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds set many records in Major League Baseball, including maximum home runs in a season (70), maximum walks (177), and slugging percentage (.863). He became the only player in the history of baseball to score 400 career home runs along with 400 stolen bases. All of his achievements were marred by accusation and conviction of the use of performance-enhancement drugs in 2005. However, the conviction was overturned in 2015 in a federal appeals court.

Despite retiring from the game of American Football at only 29 years of age, Jim Brown’s nine-year career with the Cleveland Browns left a legacy which all running backs look up to even today. He created records for career touchdowns and rushing touchdowns, and became the only rusher in the history of the NFL to average more than 100 yards per game in a career. He also scored in 6 games with at least 4 touchdowns, which is a record that still stands unbroken. In 2002, he was named the Greatest Professional Football Player Ever. Besides his football exploits, he was also a very good lacrosse player, and has been inducted into NCAA’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

This amazing athlete is the only person to be in the All-Star teams of the National Football League and the Major League Baseball during the same season, winning several awards and accolades along the way, including the prestigious Heisman Trophy, which is awarded only to the most outstanding footballers in the United States.

Martin Brodeur

The trapezoidal area behind the net in an ice hockey game has its origins with Martin Brodeur. In his early career, when the trapezoid did not exist, Brodeur used his supreme skills of handling the puck to act as a pseudo Third Defenseman, aside from his true post of being a goalie. Since no other goalie in the NHL could do what he did, Brodeur’s team had an advantage in every game that they played. In 2005, the NHL created the trapezoidal area, which would be the only area where goalies would be allowed to handle the puck. Even though the justification was that, the rule prevented goalies from taking undue advantage of their position, it was clear that they were talking only about Martin Brodeur.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods is the youngest golfer to ever win the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship, in a single year, and he has repeated the feat two more times. He has won the PGA Player of the Year 10 times. The dominance of Tiger Woods in the game of golf is so high, that after winning the Masters of Augusta National with a 12-stroke margin, the famed golf course went through significant changes to make it difficult for this great golfer. Despite the changes, Woods is still expected to be at an advantage, because the difficulty has increased for all the other golfers as well. With his 14 major titles, 16 World Golf Championship wins, and 71 PGA wins, Tiger Woods is a sporting legend like no other.

Venus and Serena Williams

These two sisters dominate women’s tennis, changing the sport from one of finesse and skill into one characterizing violent power. Venus Williams has seven grand slam titles, of which 5 are at Wimbledon, making her one of the best in the game. On the other hand, Serena Williams far surpasses her sister, with 20 Grand Slam wins, and has been ranked as the world No. 1 six times.

Magic Johnson

When Magic Johnson entered the NBA in the 1980s, he was an immediate hit. He could play skillfully at any position, especially that of a point guard, with superb no-look passes, and such cool moves which enthralled spectators. His rivalry with Larry Bird earned him and the NBA huge fame at a time when fan interest was waning. His skill had him proclaimed as the ‘greatest point guard’ of the game. This 5-time NBA champ won 3 MVP and Finals MVP awards, along with 9 NBA First Team selections.

Wayne Gretzky

Along with his teammates from the Edmonton Oilers, Wayne Gretzky was such a pro at exploiting open ice situations after off-setting penalties, that the National Hockey League made changes which completely removed such play from the game. This rule was however criticized heavily in all quarters, and was eventually removed in 1992. He revolutionized the game with his team centric approach, and is often thought to be the greatest ice hockey player ever.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

With his massive height of 7’1″, dunks were a cakewalk for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, when he played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the 1960s. To neutralize this unfair advantage, the association banned dunking from the entire game. However, this posed little problem to Kareem, as he would simply score the points by bouncing the ball of the glass board, which won consecutive national championships for his team, the Boston Bruins. Eventually, the ban on dunking was lifted in 1976. However, the ban benefited Kareem actually, as it forced him to work on the sky hook, which would become his signature move during his NBA career, allowing him to score the most points in the history of the league.

Lisa Leslie

An exceptional player in women’s basketball, Lisa Leslie is one of the few women who have made the Women’s National Basketball Association a nationally respectable sports body. She was the first player to score a dunk in a WNBA game. She has won 3 MVP awards, 9 All WNBA selections, 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards, and 15 WNBA Player of the Week awards, which is an unbroken record in the league. Besides this, she is also a 4-time gold medalist with the U.S. Women’s Basketball Team, and has also been part of two World Championship winning teams.

Roger Federer

With 17 grand slam titles, Roger Federer is a male tennis player with the highest number of championship wins. He also held the World No.1 position for an astounding record 302 weeks, which is why he is unanimously considered to be the greatest tennis player of all time.

Diego Maradona

Considered as one of the best soccer players in the world of his time, this Argentine captained his country’s team in 1986, winning the World Cup. Although Diego Maradona was a controversial sports figure, there is no question that his skill in the game was more than amazing.

Althea Gibson

One of the best black woman athletes that changed how sports was viewed, Althea Gibson achieved greatness in not just one, but two sports: golf and tennis. After winning several local tournaments in New York, she won a scholarship for college, after which there was no looking back. She was the first black woman to have been invited to compete at Wimbledon in 1951. Then, in 1956, 1957, and 1958, she won the French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open titles respectively, becoming the first black woman to win a Grand Slam title. In 1964, she became the first African-American woman to enter the Ladies Professional Golf Association, where she reached the 27th rank, despite being subjected to racial prejudice throughout her career. In 1980, she was finally inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, testament to the steel of her character.

Muhammad Ali

Named by BBC as the Sportsman of the 20th century, few have come close to attaining the level of fame or skills of Muhammad Ali in the world of professional boxing. Born Cassius Clay Jr., Ali began his tryst with boxing only to punish a thief who had stolen his bicycle. But within the next 6 years, not only had he won the Golden Gloves Championship, but had also become a gold medalist at the Olympics, showing that he truly could ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’. Following his success at the Olympics, he won almost every boxing tournament he entered throughout the 1960s, making him the only person to win three World Heavyweight Champion titles. Even today, he serves as an inspiration for millions of boxing aspirants across the world.

Jesse Owens

Known for being the first American athlete to have won four gold medals in a single Olympics, ‘Jesse’ James Cleveland Owens started his race to fame in high school, where he set national records for long jump and the 100- and 200-yard races, and continued to create new milestones when he attended Ohio State University. All this, besides him being the son of a slave. However, this sports athlete truly changed the world’s perspective, by challenging prejudices about race, when he won 4 gold medals in the track and field events in the 1936 Summer Olympics of Berlin, in Nazi Germany. This was a powerful punch against Hitler’s claims of the greatness of pure Aryan blood. For this accomplishment, Owens received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976. In 1990, ten years after his death, President George Bush posthumously awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal, an honor truly well deserved.

Michael Jordan

When we talk about athletes who have changed sports, we cannot omit ‘His Airness’. Few have had as much influence on a sport as him. Coming with a bang into the NBA in 1984, he led the Chicago Bulls through a sensational championship run, with exquisite leaps, dunks, scoring, and awesome defense. What is truly astounding however, is that Jordan retired from basketball after the Bulls won all three titles from 1991 – 1993. He however returned in 1995 to again win three championships from 1996 – 1998. Apart from these, he has won almost every accolade in the sport, including 5 MVP awards and 10 scoring titles. It can be said that, he took the NBA, which was till then popular only in the United States, and gave it international fame.

Bill Russell

While Bill Russell played basketball for the University of San Francisco, his average Points Per Game and Rebounds Per Game were an astounding 20.7 and 20.3 respectively. One could attribute this achievement to the fact that he was allowed to hold his post within 10 feet of the paint, which he ruthlessly exploited with his 6’9″ body and superb athleticism. When he won his team the national championship two years in a row, the National Collegiate Athletic Association decided that changes were to be made to even out the odds for the other players. This led to the free throw lane being widened to 12 feet, a measure that is used even today. He was also a part of the U.S. Olympic gold medal winning team, and went on to win 5 MVP awards, 12 All Star selections, and 11 All NBA selections. He won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

Wilt Chamberlain

A man ahead of his time, Chamberlain averaged a staggering 50 points and 25 rebounds per game in the 1962 NBA season. Such was his athleticism, that he could simply leap from behind the foul line to directly dunk the ball or score from a close range. This prompted a rule, which made it mandatory for a player not to cross the foul line before the ball crossed the basket rim. He is a 2-time NBA champion, with 4 MVP awards. Apart from his basketball exploits, Wilt Chamberlain has also earned himself a spot in the Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Born Edison Arantes do Nascimento, this Brazilian football legend is arguably the best footballer in world history, even being named the Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999. In his career, Pelé scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, and is the only footballer to have been the part of three World Cup winning squads. Known for his immense athleticism and superhuman skills of dribbling, passing, heading, and scoring, he was the face of international football till David Beckham’s arrival in the 1990s, and was probably the only footballer to be recognized in the United States in his time.

Jackie Robinson

Since the segregation of the Major League Baseball in 1889, no African-American had played for the tournament. However, when the Brooklyn Dodgers invited Robinson to play for their team in 1947, he became the first black player to enter the majors in around 80 years. This kicked off a decade-long, legendary career, which included 6 pennants, and a World Series Championship win, despite a daily heap of racial abuse. He earned the titles of National League Rookie of the Year, Most valuable Player of the Year, and was even inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Even today, long after his death, Jackie Robinson is still a part of American public consciousness, leading to a movie, a commemorative stamp, and even a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Congressional Gold Medal.

Wilma Rudolph

Despite being born prematurely and having contracted polio at a young age, Wilma Rudolph worked her way into her high school basketball team, even taking them to the state championship level, all the while working to strengthen her twisted leg. Her skills were noticed by the coach of the Tennessee State University, where she became a member of the track and field team, and made her first Olympic appearance at the age of 16, in Melbourne. However, she gained world fame at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where she won the gold medal in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4 × 100 meter relay races, even setting a world record in the process. Proclaimed to be the ‘Fastest Woman in History’, Wilma Rudolph is an inspiration for multiple generations of athletes, not only through her achievements, but also the struggles she went through to get her wins.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Known as the ‘World’s Greatest Woman Athlete’, Zaharias dominated multiple sports, including golf, tennis, basketball, baseball, and track and field games, breaking the traditional stereotype of femininity. She played baseball so well, that she earned the nickname ‘Babe’, comparing her to the baseball legend Babe Ruth. At the 1932 Olympics, she won two gold medals and a silver for her efforts in track and field events. However, her primary sport was golf, where she won more than 80 amateur and professional tournaments. It can easily be said that her name should be included in all lists of greatest athletes in any form of media.

Despite a world of pressure regarding race and gender, nothing could dampen the competitive spirit of these sports persons and their love for the game. All of us owe them a debt of gratitude for not admitting defeat, and bringing the various sports to where they are today. if you strongly feel that someone else besides these deserves a mention, feel free to let us know through the comments section below.

Like it? Share it!

Get Updates Right to Your Inbox

Further insights.

Privacy Overview

My Notes From Sports Autobiographies

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ THE DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Sports autobiographies are my favourite book genre. I started this page in May 2018 and you’ll find my notes from the sports autobiographies I’ve read from global superstars (players and coaches) to journeymen. I had been wanting to recap the sports books I read for a while now. Thanks to Derek Sivers and Nat Eliason for the inspiration on how to organise my notes.

Click on each title you want to read the notes of.

RIC FLAIR: TO BE THE MAN – by RIC FLAIR (7/10)

Date Finished: January 2018 BUY ON AMAZON

I was never a massive fan of Ric Flair growing up, but in hindsight, I can see why some do call him the greatest wrestler of all time. In this book, you’ll hear plenty of stories an insight into the business and Ric’s key to looking the best. The only downside for me is the book jumped around a bit too much which made it confusing at times.

Cyrille Regis: My Story – by Cyrille Regis. (7/10) Having never heard of Cyrille Regis before opening this book, I wish I got to see him play. One of the pioneers of black footballers becoming a norm in English football. Doesn’t hold back in his story, even if it’s embarrassing.

Best Seat In The House: Your Backstage Pass through My WWE Journey – by Justin Roberts (8/10) The world of WWE is full of drama on the outside, and it looks even more complicated on the inside as we learn from Justin. Lots of gems about building relationships, following your passion, and dealing with bullying.

Running for My Life: One Lost Boy’s Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games – by Lopez Lomong (10/10) If you one a dose of humility, this is a must-read. Lomong was born in Sudan, before being captured by rebel soldiers while attending church. Less than 20 years later he achieved his dream of becoming an Olympian with the U.S.A. on his chest. An inspirational autobiography with bits of humour that put it into the 10/10 category.

Getting A Grip: On My Game, My Body, My Mind… My Self – by Monica Seles (8/10) A great insight into Monica’s life as a tennis prodigy who quickly became a 16-year-old world sensation. She talks about her brief entry into the world of a celebrity, realizing she’s better off being ‘just famous’. Then the stabbing and all the after effects. She’s brutally honest and doesn’t mind shying away from emotions, though it felt repetitive at times and there were some areas that could have gone deeper. Definitely, one of the toughest and best athlete autobiographies someone has had to write.

A Life Well Played: My Stories – by Arnold Palmer (9/10) The smile of Arnold Palmer is far from fake. This book features various stories from Arnold’s life, many leave you saying “only Arnie” . In between smiles you’ll get lots of glimpses of how to live a moral life. And yes, a few golf tips along the way. This is always going to be on the list of best sports memoirs.

The Power of Negative Thinking: An Unconventional Approach to Achieving Positive Results – by Bob Knight (10/10) EVERYONE can learn a lot from this book. Don’t make assumptions about the book based on the title as there’s no weird new age mythical stuff in this book. Bob gives insights from his successful career about what he thought about when coaching in various situations which when seen in isolation can be negative, but as a whole is totally practical.

Bigger Than the Game: Restitching a Major League Life 9/10 Dirk calls himself an author and you can tell in the flow of the story, he is serious. A great candid read where Dirk goes through a tough period of his career, and for us, we get to hear him talk about it openly. This must have been tough to write, but a great story told by a quality writer who experienced what many of us can only dream of.

David Beckham: My Side 7/10 Published in 2004, there are lots of gems in this book right from his childhood through but it dragged on a bit too often at times (especially during the times he retold details from matches). Considering it was written during an interesting time in David’s career (one year into playing with Real Madrid) there is so much that happened afterward, you need to read all his books to get the full picture (I haven’t yet).

Pacman: My Story of Hope, Resilience, and Never-Say-Never Determination (7.5/10) This book could easily be one of the best books written by athletes if there was some basic editing done. That was frustrating at times, but as long as you can see past that, you’ll find this book all about focus, appreciation, and giving back. It’s to give back to his people that Manny has transcended boxing and gone into politics, he has seen the possibilities that exist beyond the Philippines and wants to give his people the opportunity to experience that. Boxing is his segway to his community though, that is something he really understands and is the reason he has fought so many times. He gives them hope!

Strongman: My Story – by Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall (8/10) A good length of a book that takes you from Eddies somewhat troubled childhood (that included being a prominent swimmer) to achieving success in business through to being one of the worlds best in strongman competitions. Not hiding behind words in this book, plenty of inspiration for you to apply to your life in and out of the sports industry.

Letters to a Young Gymnast – by Nadia Comaneci (9/10) Written to the young who write her letters, we can all learn from Nadia in this book. I loved her positive outlook on sacrifice, and while she doesn’t open up 100%, she shows a lot of vulnerability in throughout the book. The other lesson I took away is perfection, there is no such thing as perfection even though we constantly seek it.

Jonah Lomu Autobiography – by Jonah Lomu (6/10) The great man wouldn’t appear again in the black jersey after this book was published, but he went on to achieve great work post-rugby. Some nice touches on the All Blacks culture and fellow players are in the book but lacks depth in personal areas he could have opened up about (kidneys, relationships, expectations). Hated having to give this a 6 but also confirmed to be the best sports autobiographies are written at least five years after retirement from the top level.

Roberto: Kicking Every Ball – by Roberto Martinez (4/10) I don’t understand the layout of the book. The chapters jump back and forth, it would have been easier to stick to a chronological order. The last chapter was complete filler. Some gems in there, but his followup book will be 10x better.

Neymar: Conversations With My Father (7.5/10) Wowee, an interesting book despite coming so early in his career. The sections by his Dad (Neymar Sr) are brilliant as he has so much experience and his lessons are way deeper imo. But the passion you sense from Neymar Jr is also impressive. A great read on one of the biggest superstars ever (can’t wait for the sequel).

This Road I Ride: – by Juliana Buhring (7/10) 1. Growing up in a cult | 2. Losing the love of your life. Those two events are enough suffering for everyone to push themselves to extremes in life. This ike chronicles the events leading up to her decision to cycle around the world (in a world record time), with various events coming into play throughout the book from past events.

Jamie Vardy: From Nowhere, My Story – by Jamie Vardy (7/10) The title of one of the more inspirational autobiographies I’ve read so far is totally accurate. After excelling as a child, Jamie fell off the bandwagon when he was rejected by the club he loved so dearly. He hit some low points, but with a combination of family, talent, and the belief of a few individuals Jamie again the tools to not only win a Premiership but to go on and represent England after turning professional at the age of 24. The dream was always there, yet the journey was certainly rocky. One of the top sports autobiographies with a story of redemption.

Blood, Sweat, and Treason: My Story by Henry Olonga (8/10) Most well known for taking a stance against Robert Mugabe while playing for the Zimbabwean cricket team which meant he couldn’t safely return to Zimbabwe. Has some interesting insights from how mentors affected him throughout life in a professional career where he was a good cricketer but was never going to be a great.

Relentless: From Good To Great To Unstoppable – by Tim Grover (8/10) Tim was the coach of some of basketballs greatest players. His methods have been tried and tested throughout the years, and he knows what works. You’ll learn about the Zone, stress, being a leader, all about striving to be the best. Lots of quotables.

Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches by Carlo Ancelotti (9/10) I resonated with this book as a quieter person. This autobiography about a leader of various teams gives some great advice on relationships, communication, and leadership. A valuable book that you can learn from about leading teams in any industry. His early chat about the leadership arc chat was also an interesting insight.

My Story: Crossing the Line by Luis Suarez (7/10) Growing up in Uruguay, Luis had to fight his way to get from the backstreets of his homeland all the way to Barcelona. You’ll learn a lot about how much it takes to fight to reach your goals and dreams from this book in addition to learning about Luis Suarez thinks about some of the more controversial moments in his career.

Sir Curtly Ambrose: Time To Talk (5/10) If you’re not a cricket fan, you’ll struggle with this cricketers autobiography as there is a decent amount of cricket speak involved. But if you want to hear from someone who has succeeded when they others might not have because of pride, this is for you. Considering he wrote this book 15 years after retiring from international cricket, this book left a lot to be desired other.

A Different Kind Of Daughter by Maria Toorpakai (9/10) Wholly shit, this is real. Since 2001 we’ve heard a lot about the Taliban in the media, but Maria grew up surrounded by the Taliban. And they wanted her dead. She had liberal parents (they were Muslim) and the family is crazy strong, and Maria drew strength from them clearly as she was determined to not let them control her life. An amazing, vivid, powerful sports biography about the story of a professional squash player from Pakistan.

The Artist: Being Iniesta by Andre Iniesta (7.5/10) I’m not the biggest football fan, but Andre Iniesta is one of the faces I recognise. In a star-studded team like Barcelona, he was a fixture in the team, his teammates acknowledge the things he did in the middle of the field helped them win a lot of games. This family man is open and honest throughout the book and has asked for input in the book from those he has learned to trust most throughout his career.

Gunning for Greatness: My Life by Mesut Ozil (8/10) In the current world, immigration is a big issue and while Mesut grew up and has represented Germany, his Turkish blood still causes many, many issues. Even after living there for 20+ years! He talks openly about the conflict and his viewpoints, and how we should all be integrated and work together. Just like millions do on the football pitch.

Pepe: My Autobiography (8/10) Pepe, a goalkeeper, usually remembered for his bad saves than his great saves. It takes a certain personality to be a great goalkeeper, and if I was too take three quality from this book that applies to Pepe’s success they’re luck, gratitude, consistency. He knows luck plays a role in making it to the top of the football world and is forever grateful he has the chance (and is grateful for the fans and his family). But he has always worked hard to maximize his success. An inspirational autobiography from a positive human.

Johnathan Thurston: The Autobiography (8/10) If you’re a fan of rugby league or familar with the sport at all, you’ll love this tell-all autobiography from one of the games best players the game has seen. From growing up with a massive family, struggles in his teenage years to get any kind of recognition, to numerous off-field incidents that could have snowballed into a disaster. Johnathan had to work hard to get where he ended his playing career, a rugby league legend. But as they say, nothing comes easy. If you’re not familiar with the sport, this rugby league autobiography might be hard to follow at times.

I Am Duran: The Autobiography (4/10) I am definitely not a Roberto Duran fan. This may be why I’ve given him such a low score, but the book in fairness is written in a conversational style which is cool…he also owns up to his mistakes, but it’s the contradictions throughout the book which frustrates me. He isn’t someone you’ll want to look up to, but you can take bits and pieces from his grit and determination when he is inside the ring (oh, except for the fight when he quit).

Heyya, Jub here.

I hope Tiki Touring Kiwi isn't making your day too miserable.

If you ever spot a man with a cat shirt and a beard, it's probably me :)

• Sports Betting
• Sports Entertainment
• New York Knicks
• Brooklyn Nets
• Transactions

Recommended

Mike Vaccaro

Everyone did their part in this impressive, high-stakes win for knicks as they take series lead.

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

There’s no sentence in the King’s English that contains less truth than this: “Sports is fun.”

You know better. You know sports is a lot more agony of defeat than thrill of victory. You know the highs rarely outpace the lows. You don’t watch playoff games — any sport — as much as endure them. Sleep? No shot. Not when the games mean this much.

But sometimes you get a night like this one at Madison Square Garden. Sometimes you really do feel like everyone is in this together: players, coaches, ushers. And fans. Of course, the fans. Sometimes you get a game like Knicks 121, Pacers 91 — a game in which the Knicks, with only a few exceptions, led comfortably across the final 30 minutes or so.

A game in which 19,812 customers cleared their throats early, then emptied the tank across the next 2 ¹/₂ hours. None of you who were there will claim you were more important than Jalen Brunson — 44 points, seven rebounds, plus-31 for the night. Or Josh Hart (18, 11 and plus-21). Or Isaiah Hartenstein (17 rebounds, 12 of them on the offensive glass).

Don’t take my word. Asked about the 62-point turnaround — !!! — between Games 4 and 5, Brunson offered an explanation: “Maybe the home crowd. They were phenomenal.”

For one night, this really was about everyone doing their part. This was about the Knicks on the floor coming through in a must-have game with as impressive a win as any of the 56 that preceded it. It’s about Tom Thibodeau, who brilliantly slotted Deuce McBride into the starting five and was rewarded with 17 points, a plus-26, with terrific defense.

And, yes, this was about the fans in the stands, all way from the floor to the bridge and everywhere in between, refusing to halt the tumult even as the lead approached 30 at the end. You’ve earned that much. Hell, at these prices, sports owes you a lot more.

But this one’ll have to do. This is one you can savor for an extra day, since this increasingly contentious series won’t resume until Friday night in Indianapolis — where the Pacers, undefeated at home in the playoffs, will try to buy themselves at least an extra weekend of basketball season.

The Pacers came out hot, hitting everything they took beyond the 3-point line. Brunson missed a few shots. There were some pockets of quiet despair at the start, when it looked like the Pacers might’ve brought Sunday’s Game 4 momentum with them on the team plane, loaded in the overhead bins. It was 16-9, Indiana, with 5 ¹/₂ minutes gone.

It was 112-75, Knicks, over the next 42 ¹/₂.

They’ll be sore Wednesday morning. You’ll be hoarse. Everybody doing what they had to. Outsiders wants to know why the Knicks — not just Thibodeau, the whole team — worked like lunatics to inch their way into the 2-seed? This is why. For a night like this. For a game like this. For a blending of soul and sound and savagery you would’ve heard on both ends of Manhattan if they’d opened the doors.

“A hard lesson,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “They have a cold-blooded desire to get the ball.”

Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the NBA playoffs

• Knicks’ Game 7 pressure even greater with no guarantee of return
• Inside look at some of Knicks’ other memorable Game 7s
• Knicks-Pacers Game 7 could be decided by who wins this key battle
• Knicks have Game 7 Garden history on their side going into win-or-go-home Pacers matchup

Donte DiVincenzo agreed: “That,” he said, “is who we are.”

The Knicks? Cold-blooded is an apt description. For two days the narrative was simple: The Pacers were younger, faster and had seized their confidence last weekend in Indiana. The Knicks had reached a point where they’d achieved something almost no New York team ever does: Some had actually started to pity them.

The Knicks refused that largesse. They simply came out and maximized the essence of what makes them who they are. They outrebounded the Pacers 53-29. They limited Tyrese Haliburton to nine shots and 13 points, a stark contrast to the way he chewed through Games 3 and 4, leading with his mouth.

What's happening on and off the Garden court

Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+.

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter!

“It’s always defense first,” McBride said. “Whatever comes on offense comes from how we play on defense.”

In the third, when Myles Turner knocked down three straight 3s to single-handedly trim a 16-point lead to seven, the Knicks barely blinked.

It helps to have Brunson on your team, of course, and Brunson looked as healthy as he’s been since banging up his ankle in Game 2.

“As much as you talk about him,” Thibodeau said, “it’s never enough.”

Lately it’s also been nice to have Alec Burks on the team, a third straight double-digit output straight out of witness protection, 18 points and five 3s.

“They’ve shown it all year,” Thibodeau said. “That’s who we are. This is our way. We have to play hard every possession and keep doing it. When we do, it’s enjoyable for everyone.”

There was fun in full supply Tuesday night, and now there will for sure be at least one more basketball gathering at the Garden in 2024. And by the time you digest what you saw, you can start to hope that maybe that won’t be Game 7 on Sunday, but Game 3 of the conference finals next week. You’ve earned the right to dream, too.

Share this article:

Advertisement

2024 Kentucky Derby full finishing order and results: Mystik Dan wins in thrilling photo finish

Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby

Mystik Dan is your winner of the 150th Kentucky Derby, winning in a photo finish by a hair over Sierra Leone and Forever Young. Mystik Dan entered the race with with 18-1 odds.

The underdog made up ground in the second half after the pack got off to a hot start with early leaders Fierceness and Track Phantom taking the pack through first half of the race in 46.63. The finishing order is 3-2-11-4.

Mystik Dan’s trainer Ken McPeek becomes the first trainer since 1952 to win the Oaks and Derby in the same year.

Kentucky Derby: Mystik Dan wins in photo finish over Sierra Leone, Forever Young

The 2024 Kentucky Derby was an incredible event that somehow exceeded its hype

Here’s what I learned about the Kentucky Derby today: It lives up to the hype and then some.

It’s a great event. The sound that comes from the grandstand as the horses make their turn towards home is something you can’t forget.

Advertisement

Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan wore the same bridle to win their races

The press conference ends with the reveal that Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan wore the same bridle to win their races. McPeek says maybe they should auction it off to charity. “That’s a pretty lucky bridle. I gotta get back there and make sure nobody swipes it.”

A Kentucky Derby love story

“Years ago, when Lance and I were dating, he was late to pick me up because he was at the races. I wasn’t going to go,” says Sharilyn Gasaway. Why she’s glad she did? “I didn’t know but my mom knew he was going to ask me to marry him that night.”

McPeek says he felt sure they had won even with that photo finish, and then gets choked up sharing how it felt to turn to his wife who was standing there next to him to see it happen.

'I was just smiling the whole time'

“I was just smiling the whole time. It’s an amazing feeling when you have the horse under you and you now they’re gonna go forward and forward and forward.” Brian Hernandez reflects on how strong Mystik Dan felt throughout the race, from a powerful start with sure footing all the way to the finish.

An emotional win for Mystik Dan owner

“To me, this is for him,” says owner Lance Gasaway, whose father passed away a year ago today. “Dad would’ve loved it, he loved the game."

Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan were too fast for each other

Thorpedo Anna, the winner of Friday night's Kentucky Oaks, and Mystik Dan used to be training partners. But then they weren't anymore. Why? McPeek says they were too fast for each other and that you don’t want to push them over the edge.

Jockey jokes about photo finish wait

“From the fastest two minutes in sports to the longest,” says Brian Hernandez with a laugh, referencing the long minutes of waiting to hear which horse won the photo finish.

Mystik Dan jockey reflects on race

“Oh god, did we win the Kentucky Derby?” The thoughts on jockey Brian Hernandez’s mind the second after he crossed the finish line.

“My horse was just cruising along so comfortably, it never felt like we were going that quickly. Other horses were piling up and we had a little pocket there. We may have taken a little off the inside fence but that’s okay," said Hernandez.

Mystik Dan, the 'old soul'

“This horse is an old soul, he’s just so chill,” says Sharilyn Gasaway, one of Mystik Dan’s owners.

No Preakness guarantee yet

Trainer Kenneth McPeek didn’t commit to running in the Preakness. Says he doesn’t make fast moves, "never make a decision until you absolutely have to."

'I believe in mojo'

(Photo: Hannah Vanbiber / The Athletic)

"I believe in mojo," Mystik Dan trainer Kenneth McPeek said.

McPeek has praise for his jockey, too, not just the mojo. “This is typical Brian, he knows what he’s doing out there. We rarely second guess anything he does.”

What happened to Fierceness?

Favorite Fierceness ultimately finished in 16th, which put him below the alternate, Epic Ride, The offspring of Justified, Just Steel and Just a Touch (who a few people picked as the winner on the broadcast) finished in the bottom five.

Fierceness’ low finish probably took down a lot of exacta and trifecta bets where bettors paired their longshot pick with the 3-1 favorite. I’m sure we’ll get some answers later as to what happened with Fierceness.

Mystik Dan’s jockey still in shock

“It still hasn’t sunk in," said Mystik Dan’s jockey Brian Hernandez. Hernandez hails from Lafayette, La., something Louisianans are very proud of.

"We have to thank all the guys back at the barn…. I don’t know how long it’ll take to sink in but it’s a surreal moment."

Full finishing order

Here is the full finishing order of the 150th Kentucky Derby. Fierceness, the big favorite before the race, finished just behind Epic Ride, who was a late add this week after a scratch.

• Sierra Leone
• Forever Young
• Catching Freedom
• T O Password
• Honor Marie
• Track Phantom
• West Saratoga
• Domestic Product
• Society Man
• Grand Mo The First
• Just A Touch

The press is awaiting the winners. As are these hats and seats.

That was an expensive sip

Woodford Reserve made only 150 bottles of the “Baccarat” version. One of those has been set aside for the winner, although it wasn’t clear when they would receive the bottle.

The Baccarat edition costs $15,000. You can get the regular 150 bottle (seen on the stage) for about $45-50 at your local liquor store.

Someone got thirsty?

(Photo: Andrew DeWitt / The Athletic)

Here at the winners press conference, it appears someone broke into the Woodford Reserve bottle early and took a nice swig out of one of the bottles.

Given the level of drinking we’ve seen here today, that isn’t too surprising.

Oh, you thought the racing was over?

If you thought the party ended with the Kentucky Derby… not so fast. There’s still racing at Churchill Downs. In about 30 minutes, Race 13 will go off, with several Derby jockeys on different horses. Discreet Mischief is the 9/5 current favorite

Advertisement

See it: eli manning joins morgan wallen on metlife stadium stage, share this article.

Country singer Morgan Wallen took the stage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday night but he wasn’t alone.

During his notable Goldberg-style entrance, Wallen was joined by New York Giants legend Eli Manning. It was naturally entertaining and a bit awkward, which is par for the course with Eli.

An offer for Giants fans For the best local North Jersey news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to NorthJersey.com. $1 for 6 months ELI MANNING walk out with Morgan Wallen at MetLife Night 1 pic.twitter.com/SbHXU8HURo — Dylan Kanner (@DKanner10) May 18, 2024

After Wallen took the stage, Manning joined the other 55,000 people in attendance for the concert as the popular artist kept the New York theme going.

Wallen, a native of Tennessee, played his hits with his six-member band in a close to two-hour show for more than 55,000 in the audience, which included former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. The two-time Super Bowl champ was shown on a video screen with Wallen just before singer took the stage. Wallen kept the New York sports legends theme going later in the show when he donned a New York Knicks Patrick Ewing jersey for the encores. He didn’t refer to either Manning or Ewing during the show. He did perform the song, “98 Braves,” which references the 1998 Atlanta Braves, but did so without comment.

“Man, when I was growing up I never thought New York and New Jersey would have such [good] country music fans,” Wallen told the crowd, via the Asbury Park Press . “Thank you so much for that warm welcome. I really appreciate that — thank you.”

This is not the first time we’ve seen a current or former Giants player take the stage with a popular country singer. Quarterback Daniel Jones has been a regular alongside Zach Bryan in recent years.

Vikings mascot shades Giants over 'Century Red' anniversary uniforms

Ex-giant kawika mitchell shares heartwarming amani toomer story, 10 things hard knocks could reveal about giants.

Read all the best Giants coverage at NorthJersey.com and Giants Wire.

Want the latest news and insights on your favorite team?

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Giants Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

Most Popular

Nfl legend tom brady respects eli manning, michael strahan: 'i hate haters', giants 2024 schedule: game-by-game with predictions, giants legend carl banks: we're in 'goofy land' with the daniel jones hate, giants' offense ranked among league-worst following 2024 nfl draft, giants unveil 'century red' alternate uniforms: social media reacts.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Here’s Why Tons Of People Are Blocking Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, And Other Massive Celebrities Across Social Media As Part Of The Blackout 2024 Movement

There's a new movement on social media, "Blackout 2024," in response to celebrities' views (or lack thereof) on Palestine.

To understand the context of the campaign, let's rewind back to last week's Met Gala. In a now-deleted video, influencer Haley Baylee (real name Haley Kalil) posed outside the event dressed in an extravagant floral gown and headpiece. She said, "Let them eat cake," speaking along with a TikTok sound.

As the story goes, Marie Antoinette was told French peasants had no bread to eat. She responded, "Let them eat cake" — demonstrating her out-of-touch attitude toward her starving subjects. Many historians have stated there's no evidence that the French queen actually said this, but it remains a chilling folktale about severe wealth inequality.

Additionally, pictures of one of fashion's biggest nights flooded social media at the same time as images of Israel's attack on the Palestinian city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The juxtaposition of celebrities dripping in wealth and Palestinian parents mourning their dead children shocked the world.

On Oct. 7, Hamas killed a reported 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostage. Since then, Israeli attacks have killed a reported 35,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — with over 77,000 injured . Northern Gaza is experiencing a full-blown famine , which is quickly spreading, and the humanitarian crisis is profoundly severe.

People made comparisons to The Hunger Games , where wealthy Capitol residents dressed in opulent clothing while children were murdered in the games. Some pointed out that the idea for the books came to author Suzanne Collins when she experienced something similar: flipping through TV channels between coverage of the Iraq War and contestants competing in a reality TV show.

In 2008, Suzanne told Publishers Weekly , "The lines began to blur in this very unsettling way."

Student encampments and protests are taking place around the world, but many celebrities have still remained silent on what's happening in Gaza.

Fed up with celebs failing to use their platforms and influence to speak out on behalf of Palestinians, TikTok user @ladyfromtheoutside decided to spark the Blackout 2024 movement, according to NBC News . "It’s time to block all the celebrities, influencers, and wealthy socialites who are not using their resources to help those in dire need," she said in a video with 2.5 million views. "We gave them their platforms. It’s time to take it back, take our views away, our likes, our comments, our money."

Unfollowing and blocking famous people and their companies prevents their ads from reaching those participating in the Blackout 2024 movement. With enough people boycotting celebs and their products, the goal is to potentially affect their ad revenue, business sales, engagement, and more. @ladyfromtheoutside is calling the movement a digitine (a digital guillotine).

I've seen several different lists floating around social media, and some people seem to disagree on who deserves to be blocked or not. Folks will likely have their own parameters, such as if a celeb has spoken out against Palestinians, if they've remained silent, if they haven't used their platform enough, etc. For example, some believe that Billie Eilish should be boycotted for not posting about Palestine on social media, while others argue that she wore a Ceasefire pin to the Oscars, making her stance clear.

In the past week, some celebrities have already spoken out. Haley Baylee posted a nearly 9-minute apology video where she clarified that she didn't receive an actual invitation to the Met; she was a host interviewing celebs as they departed a hotel. "I'm not elite. I'm a normal person," she insisted. Hayley also offered an explanation for why she hasn't spoken about Palestine: "I am not informed enough to talk about it in a meaningful and educational way."

Her apology garnered immediate backlash, with many sharing clips of the home tour that Hayley — a model who's previously been featured in Sports Illustrated — gave a year ago, showing off her $17,000/month NYC apartment. Others argued that ignorance is not an acceptable reason for silence, and that in the seven months since the recent attacks began, there's been more than enough time to educate yourself.

Three days ago, Lizzo posted a TikTok video sharing GoFundMe pages and an organization dedicated to helping people in Palestine, Sudan, and Congo. The singer said she has personally donated to all three, and she shared the links for folks who want to donate, too.

People in the comments pointed out the curious timing of Lizzo's post. One comment that received over 85,000 likes reads, "The timing is soooo interesting."

Additionally, many comments noted Lizzo's wealth in comparison to regular people. One person wrote, "Girl bffr..you are a millionaire???? Leave us alone we don’t even have enough for groceries 😭." Another comment reads, "But...you could donate the entire amount without your bank account even noticing..."

It seems like the campaign may already be starting to make an impact. Haley, who previously posted a video over her excitement at reaching 10 million followers, has currently dropped down to 9.9 million. Social media users claim that Kim Kardashian has also lost a number of followers — a week after outrage over her responding, "Free everybody" to a protestor shouting, "Free Palestine."

What do you think of the Blackout 2024 movement? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Recommended Stories

Pga championship: xander schauffele drains dramatic birdie on 18 to win first career major.

Xander Schauffele hit a six-foot putt on 18 to win the 2024 PGA Championship.

Scott McLaughlin leads Penske front row sweep for Indianapolis 500; Kyle Larson to start 5th

McLaughlin posted a four-lap average of 234.220 MPH.

Junkyard Gem: 1995 Mazda B4000 LE Cab Plus

A 1995 Mazda B4000 LE Cab Plus pickup truck, rebadged twin to the Ford Ranger, found in a North Carolina wrecking yard.

I’m rooting for Melinda French Gates to fix tech's broken ‘brilliant jerk’ culture

On Monday, Melinda French Gates resigned from the philanthropy organization she ran with ex-husband Bill Gates. French Gates will leave next month with an additional $12.5 billion, she said. The Gates Foundation famously works on projects to help impoverished people, especially in developing countries, such as fighting malaria, polio or improving sanitation.

Secondhand Rolex sales surge in 'underdeveloped' US market

Luxury watch prices are moderating on the secondary market, but retailers like Watches of Switzerland see demand continuing to outpace supply.

Oklahoma City Thunder 2024 NBA offseason preview: The future looks brilliant, but the improvements are obvious

With the right summer moves and expected health, there's no reason to believe the Thunder couldn't win the whole thing next season.

Hollywood agency CAA aims to help stars manage their own AI likenesses

Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of the top entertainment and sports talent agencies, is hoping to be at the forefront of AI protection services for celebrities in Hollywood. With many stars having their digital likeness used without permission, CAA has built a virtual media storage system for A-list talent -- actors, athletes, comedians, directors, musicians, and more -- to store their digital assets, such as their names, images, digital scans, voice recordings, and so on. The new development is a part of "theCAAvault," the company’s studio where actors record their bodies, faces, movements, and voices using scanning technology to create AI clones.

The 40+ best Amazon early Memorial Day deals: Save up to 80% on summer essentials, vacuums, tech and more

A No. 1 bestselling Ninja air fryer for $80 is calling our name, as is a sleek stick vac marked down by over 50%. That's just for starters.

The 27 best Walmart deals to shop this weekend — save up to 75% on early Memorial Day sales, summer essentials and more

Ready for your pre-summer perusal: A massive patio umbrella for over half off, a 65-inch Hisense smart TV for under $500 and a Keurig hot/iced coffeemaker for nearly $70 off.

Dow at 40,000: Why stocks still have 'plenty of room to run'

Wall Street pros say there's more room to grow with stock markets around record highs.