NFT: Iyo, who is the most iconic/recognizable name in sport ever?

Still Nicklaus, but for younger folk, Tiger is right there.

Ronaldo or Messi. Maybe Tiger Woods, Jordan or Ali.

In comment 14036890 section125 said:

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Still Nicklaus, but for younger folk, Tiger is right there.

if question is iconic/recognizable, Tiger is WAY more recognizable than Nicklaus. Tiger is way more famous. Arnie is also more iconic/recognizable than Jack.

Question wasn't who is the best ever, just more iconic.

But Ali had a greater influence on national consciousness.

I think it is Ali hands down.

In comment 14036892 markky said:

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In comment 14036890 section125 said: Quote: Still Nicklaus, but for younger folk, Tiger is right there. if question is iconic/recognizable, Tiger is WAY more recognizable than Nicklaus. Tiger is way more famous. Arnie is also more iconic/recognizable than Jack. Question wasn't who is the best ever, just more iconic.

Well done and good point and I was an Arnie fan.

I think Tiger is linked with Jack and the older crowd would go with Jack over Tiger vs the younger crowd. So that is kind of split.
Right now Tiger still draws the most (funny but John Daly is another huge draw still).

the percentage of the population who actually saw Ali in his prime is now small enough to make a material difference... it’s one thing to read stories or see video clips, it’s quite another to have lived it. Those of us who lived it know there is so much more to the Ali story than just his boxing prowess... he was iconic... an international icon.

Andre The Giant

Not sure anyone has ever transcended sport into culture the way he did. Athletes come and go and records get broken, but he is so much more than one of the greatest boxers of all time.

A close second is probably Jonas Seawright.

At least in the USA, the name and icon would be: "Yankees" and the famous N over Y Yankees logo. There are plenty of people who don't follow various sports and would not know Pele from Nicklaus, but young or old, everyone has heard of the NY Yankees.

In comment 14036910 Mike from Ohio said:

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Not sure anyone has ever transcended sport into culture the way he did. Athletes come and go and records get broken, but he is so much more than one of the greatest boxers of all time. A close second is probably Jonas Seawright.

Your lack of objectivity is glaring

Michael Jordan/Have Ruth

World

Ali/Pele

..

In terms of pure celebrity and overall legacy I think he’s the one.

Pele.

Ruth.

And I’m not sure there’s a right answer, but I have to say in my lifetime (granted, it may be a different topic than what the OP asked) it is easily Michael Jordan. I have no idea how some are suggesting LeBron on this thread, maybe because he’s fresher in our minds, but he’s not in the same stratosphere as Jordan as far as being iconic and influential. That’s not a knock on LeBron, but the Jordan craze was like nothing I’ve ever seen at the height of his popularity. Every kid on the block had to have Air Jordan’s. Even the kids that hated basketball would tune in to watch Jordan play or Jordan highlights. Jordan created a National fanbase of Bulls fans all by himself. Hell, there are several Bulls fans on this board who became Bulls fans because of Jordan. There was also the other side, which includes me, that would tune in and root like hell for Jordan to lose. He was bigger than the sport. Conversely, I honestly can’t think of a single person that has become lifelong Cavs fans, or Heat fans because of LeBron.

We can debate who the better player is, sure. But as far as popularity, influence and icon status? It’s not close.

I agree with a lot of the answers, but if you consider a wide demographic, I think you'd lose some of these guys (Gretzky, Ali and maybe even Jordan) on the younger crowd. Sports and social media probably make LeBron James or Messi a lot more recognizable to the younger crew globally than anyone else on the list.

.

I'd say there's a progression of black heroes

Jack Johnson, Jesse Owens, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Ali

And it's not even close.

Because not one person in America and many other countries would name him over Jordan or even a LeBron. Pele isn’t even top 5 in the world as far as name recognition goes

Or Bill

In comment 14036895 Matt M. said:

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I think it is Ali hands down.

Agreed.

Soccer is the most popular sport and is played all over the planet, unlike baseball, Hockey, football, basketball.

In comment 14037107 charlito said:

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Soccer is the most popular sport and is played all over the planet, unlike baseball, Hockey, football, basketball.

Basketball is right behind soccer in that regard, it’s played all over and is the largest growing sport.

Jordan>Pele

Easily.

In comment 14036994 jcn56 said:

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I agree with a lot of the answers, but if you consider a wide demographic, I think you'd lose some of these guys (Gretzky, Ali and maybe even Jordan) on the younger crowd. Sports and social media probably make LeBron James or Messi a lot more recognizable to the younger crew globally than anyone else on the list.

Ansolutely a factor. Believe it or not I never saw Ruth play, yet, as far as MLB is concerned I recognize and believe him to be the most iconic BB figure ever

Ali and Ruth. There is almost nobody left alive who saw Ruth play. But, he is still a recognizable name and figure all over the world. Ali is the same. I think Pele, to a slightly lesser degree and that is more worldwide, but not as much in the US.

I may be biased here, but I don't think Jordan is at that level, nor is Gretzky (and I absolutely love Gretzky).

It's a soccer player or possibly Ali. And given the power of the internet to spread info and connect the world, I'd guess Messi is more popular than any athlete has ever been. Many times when you're watching a clip of a crowd gathering in some remote corner of the world, you see a Messi shirt.

Nobody else even comes close.

BABE RUTH!!! In world war 2 the Japanese would try to taunt the Americans by saying Fxxx Babe Ruth.

I doubt most people under 30 know who Pele is.

who totally discount Pele, like North America has a monopoly on sports icons. You do realize almost every country in the world plays soccer and the population of most of the world far exceeds North America, don't you?

In comment 14037064 Stan in LA said:

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And it's not even close.

I agree. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and Pele is a legend.

who said Pele could pick him out of a lineup. Even though I know you said name, I think image should be part of it. I don't know if Pele is as iconic globally as some think.

Ali, Ruth, Jordan, Tiger, even Roger Federer or David Beckham all probably more recognizable and iconic than Pele. I'd even consider Jackie Robinson over Pele.

The fact Ruth and Ali have persevered is a testament to their greatness and personalities but also American media. The others are more modern (except Pele, who even with greatness didn't benefit from American media). Of course other countries have huge sports icons, but it's easier for American icons to become global icons than others.

In comment 14037484 pjcas18 said:

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who said Pele could pick him out of a lineup. Even though I know you said name, I think image should be part of it. I don't know if Pele is as iconic globally as some think. Ali, Ruth, Jordan, Tiger, even Roger Federer or David Beckham all probably more recognizable and iconic than Pele. I'd even consider Jackie Robinson over Pele. The fact Ruth and Ali have persevered is a testament to their greatness and personalities but also American media. The others are more modern (except Pele, who even with greatness didn't benefit from American media). Of course other countries have huge sports icons, but it's easier for American icons to become global icons than others.

??? Since he played for the Cosmos I’m pretty sure many people would recognize him.

He’s a legend in the most popular sport in the world.


Pele greatest ever - ( New Window )

And stole the movie, so there’s that.

like everyone else's is an opinion.

Pele played for the Cosmos in the mid-70's for 2 or 3 years in his late 30's and soccer was never really on TV then and got very little media coverage.

I think people overrate his image recognition. Name recognition I agree, which is why I qualified my statement to include visual recognition.

it's cool if you disagree.

In comment 14037508 pjcas18 said:

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like everyone else's is an opinion. Pele played for the Cosmos in the mid-70's for 2 or 3 years in his late 30's and soccer was never really on TV then and got very little media coverage. I think people overrate his image recognition. Name recognition I agree, which is why I qualified my statement to include visual recognition. it's cool if you disagree.

I just don’t understand the basis for your opinion. Ali fought in the 60s and 70s. The same media limitations apply to him as Pele.

In comment 14036909 robbieballs2003 said:

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Andre The Giant

A great one. Not weird at all.

In comment 14037131 Go Terps said:

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It's a soccer player or possibly Ali. And given the power of the internet to spread info and connect the world, I'd guess Messi is more popular than any athlete has ever been. Many times when you're watching a clip of a crowd gathering in some remote corner of the world, you see a Messi shirt.

Basketball is bigger than you think globally.

In comment 14037064 Stan in LA said:

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And it's not even close.

This is right.

Tiger Woods is in this mix, too. His impact on golf was enormous.

In comment 14038500 djm said:

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In comment 14037131 Go Terps said: Quote: It's a soccer player or possibly Ali. And given the power of the internet to spread info and connect the world, I'd guess Messi is more popular than any athlete has ever been. Many times when you're watching a clip of a crowd gathering in some remote corner of the world, you see a Messi shirt. Basketball is bigger than you think globally.

Even if it is, it's still a blip. I read on ESPN that the 2016 NBA Finals got combined 150 million viewers worldwide in seven games. That's much less than what the Champions League final (one game) gets. And that's not even considering the big national team tournaments that take place every couple years. Some cities in Europe sustain a dozen or so professional teams.

There's no comparison. If basketball is second in the world (i'm not sure it is), it's much closer to third place than it is to soccer.

In comment 14038500 djm said:

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In comment 14037131 Go Terps said: Quote: It's a soccer player or possibly Ali. And given the power of the internet to spread info and connect the world, I'd guess Messi is more popular than any athlete has ever been. Many times when you're watching a clip of a crowd gathering in some remote corner of the world, you see a Messi shirt. Basketball is bigger than you think globally.

Even if it is, it's still a blip. I read on ESPN that the 2016 NBA Finals got combined 150 million viewers worldwide in seven games. That's much less than what the Champions League final (one game) gets. And that's not even considering the big national team tournaments that take place every couple years. Some cities in Europe sustain a dozen or so professional teams.

There's no comparison. If basketball is second in the world (i'm not sure it is), it's much closer to third place than it is to soccer.

In comment 14038500 djm said:

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In comment 14037131 Go Terps said: Quote: It's a soccer player or possibly Ali. And given the power of the internet to spread info and connect the world, I'd guess Messi is more popular than any athlete has ever been. Many times when you're watching a clip of a crowd gathering in some remote corner of the world, you see a Messi shirt. Basketball is bigger than you think globally.

it is Caitlyn Jenner...

It's Cristiano Ronaldo and the man is still writing his legacy.

Greatest player in the history of the world - all sports.

Next....

Especially since the internet and social media have such a huge advantage in today’s society.

Ali was the first name to came to my mind. But as far as marketing and commercialism..... jordan’s Effect hasn’t been reached in my lifetime.

Cristiano Ronaldo has:
140 million followers on Instagram
120 million followers on Facebook
75 million followers on Twitter

......

In comment 14038673 JPinstripes said:

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Cristiano Ronaldo has: 140 million followers on Instagram 120 million followers on Facebook 75 million followers on Twitter ......

never heard of him

In comment 14038673 JPinstripes said:

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Cristiano Ronaldo has: 140 million followers on Instagram 120 million followers on Facebook 75 million followers on Twitter ......

Which totally trumps Babe Ruth’s and Ali’s twitter and Facebook accounts.

In comment 14038679 dep026 said:

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In comment 14038673 JPinstripes said: Quote: Cristiano Ronaldo has: 140 million followers on Instagram 120 million followers on Facebook 75 million followers on Twitter ...... Which totally trumps Babe Ruth’s and Ali’s twitter and Facebook accounts.

yes ... nobody knew these two men without twitter and FB

.

In comment 14038687 EricJ said:

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In comment 14038679 dep026 said: Quote: In comment 14038673 JPinstripes said: Quote: Cristiano Ronaldo has: 140 million followers on Instagram 120 million followers on Facebook 75 million followers on Twitter ...... Which totally trumps Babe Ruth’s and Ali’s twitter and Facebook accounts. yes ... nobody knew these two men without twitter and FB

In today's world social media followers are the best metric to gauge popularity and one's recognizable persona, which was the OPs question. I don't know what to tell you if you don't understand the value of this metric in today's world.

Shout Ali and Babe Ruth all you want but you have really zero basis and a narrow scope to fart that out of your mouth.

Today's world globally says Cristiano Ronaldo is SPORTS most recognized name and it's not even close.

In comment 14037401 weeg in the bronx said:

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I doubt most people under 30 know who Pele is.

With respect to the US you're probably right. Almost anywhere else the world most people under 30 DO know who Pele is.

In comment 14038703 JPinstripes said:

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In comment 14038687 EricJ said: Quote: In comment 14038679 dep026 said: Quote: In comment 14038673 JPinstripes said: Quote: Cristiano Ronaldo has: 140 million followers on Instagram 120 million followers on Facebook 75 million followers on Twitter ...... Which totally trumps Babe Ruth’s and Ali’s twitter and Facebook accounts. yes ... nobody knew these two men without twitter and FB In today's world social media followers are the best metric to gauge popularity and one's recognizable persona, which was the OPs question. I don't know what to tell you if you don't understand the value of this metric in today's world. Shout Ali and Babe Ruth all you want but you have really zero basis and a narrow scope to fart that out of your mouth. Today's world globally says Cristiano Ronaldo is SPORTS most recognized name and it's not even close.

Maybe he is today, but the OP is talking ever.

North America: Michael Jordan

I read on ESPN that the 2016 NBA finals received a total worldwide viewership of 150 million people for the entire 7 game series. That's less than half of what the Champions League final (1 game) gets (~350 million).