Most Popular Athlete Ever?

[K-Dog]

Pele ?
Mauhamad Ali?
Shaq?
Babe Ruth?

Grace given for "in their hey day".
Who is / was the most world known athlete?

[Romo Ravens]

Michael Jordan for sure.

[darklight1216]

Michael Jordan; I knew he he was when I hated sports.

[robbcs3]

Maybe not so much these days, but Tiger Woods would be in the conversation.

[Ed_Reed20]

I'd say it's Jordan

Diego Maradona's name also deserves to be thrown into the hat.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1282084933' post='453322']
Pele ?
Mauhamad Ali?
Shaq?
Babe Ruth?

Grace given for "in their hey day".
Who is / was the most world known athlete?
[/quote]

Pele ?
Mauhamad Ali?
Babe Ruth?

I removed Shaq so to narrow down your list. I honestly cannot narrow it down any further, but I would lean towards Pe'le'.

[Ed_Reed20]

The reason I'd put MJ above Pele is because Jordan increased globalized basketball's popularity like few athletes have ever done with his Jordan brand and various commercial campaigns. Pele was a megastar during his playing days -- and remains one to this day -- but fútbol was already very popular.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1282089356' post='453358']
The reason I'd put MJ above Pele is because Jordan increased globalized basketball's popularity like few athletes have ever done with his Jordan brand and various commercial campaigns. Pele was a megastar during his playing days -- and remains one to this day -- but fútbol was already very popular.
[/quote]

Exactly. Futbol is the most popular sport world-wide which is why I think he could be the most popular athlete ever.

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

OG Simpson / Thread

[img]http://www.tshirtgalleries.com/wp-content/uploads/oj-simpson-tshirt.jpg[/img]

[thewarden86]

DOH!

[K-Dog]

Personally I think the mid to late 70's Pele was as big if not bigger than any one today. Followed closely by Jordan and Woods.

[quote name='BohBalmerOsbohs' timestamp='1282090985' post='453368']
OG Simpson
[/quote]

Yeah cant forget about him...

[thewarden86]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1282092154' post='453379']
Personally I think the mid to late 70's Pele was as big if not bigger than any one today. Followed closely by Jordan and Woods.
[/quote]

I agree.

[ROH522155]

Its Muhammad get it right! .....I'd say Ali....We're talkin about the whole world not just in the US which is what I think gives him an edge over Jordan..Jordan of course was popular world wide too but I think Ali was more

[thewarden86]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' timestamp='1282093595' post='453390']
Its Muhammad get it right! .....I'd say Ali....We're talkin about the whole world not just in the US which is what I think gives him an edge over Jordan..Jordan of course was popular world wide too but I think Ali was more
[/quote]

You obviously didn't see Pe'le' listed.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Although not THE most popular athlete ever I think Wayne Gretzky is right up there as well

[H8R]

MJ.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' timestamp='1282094204' post='453399']
Although not THE most popular athlete ever I think Wayne Gretzky is right up there as well
[/quote]

Awesome mention man!

Jordan IMMEDIATELY popped into my head so I have to go with MJ.

[H8R]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' timestamp='1282094204' post='453399']
Although not THE most popular athlete ever I think Wayne Gretzky is right up there as well
[/quote]


No staying power though.....

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1282100050' post='453449']
No staying power though.....
[/quote]

I'm lost as to what that even means haha, but a hockey player as the most popular athlete in North America alone would be a real tough sell.

[Malkavian Raven]

Futbol: Pele
Baseball: Babe Ruth
Basketball: Michael Jordan
Hockey: Wayne Gretsky
Tennis: Andre Agassi
NASCAR: Jeff Gordon
Boxing: Muhammad Ali
MMA: Royce Gracie
Swimming: Michael Phelps
Football: Jerry Rice

Of all those mentioned -- I'm going to have to go with the majority and say MJ. Only to be superceded by Ray Lewis.

[H8R]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1282100210' post='453451']
I'm lost as to what that even means haha, but a hockey player as the most popular athlete in North America alone would be a real tough sell.
[/quote]


what I mean is you haven't heard crap about Gretzky since he's retired. He's hasn't been in the public eye very much and Hockey, and it's popularity...or lack thereof in America is VERY WEAK compared to the other major sports. Whereas Jordan, the Player the Brand Name and even the Jump man logo keep his popularity alive.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1282134183' post='453551']
what I mean is you haven't heard crap about Gretzky since he's retired. He's hasn't been in the public eye very much and Hockey, and it's popularity...or lack thereof in America is VERY WEAK compared to the other major sports. Whereas Jordan, the Player the Brand Name and even the Jump man logo keep his popularity alive.
[/quote]
I agree! When I mentioned Gretzky I said that he's not the MOST popular of all time, but he's definitely up there. To the average person if you asked them to name 1 Hockey Player they would probably say Gretzky most of the time.

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' timestamp='1282101041' post='453459']
Futbol: Pele
Baseball: Babe Ruth
Basketball: Michael Jordan
Hockey: Wayne Gretsky
Tennis: Andre Agassi
NASCAR: Jeff Gordon
Boxing: Muhammad Ali
MMA: Royce Gracie
Swimming: Michael Phelps
Football: Jerry Rice

Of all those mentioned -- I'm going to have to go with the majority and say MJ. Only to be superceded by Ray Lewis.
[/quote]

I'm not even a big racing fan but Jeff Gordon as the most popular NASCAR driver ever is ridiculous. Dale Earnhardt sells stuff at an unreal level and he's been dead for almost 10 years. There's people that have never even watched a NASCAR race who can tell you they know who Dale Earnhardt is.

If you're going to talk about the most popular ever on a global scale I think Jordan and Pele have to be at the top of the list.

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' timestamp='1282101041' post='453459']
Futbol: Pele
Baseball: Babe Ruth
Basketball: Michael Jordan
Hockey: Wayne Gretsky
Tennis: Andre Agassi
NASCAR: Jeff Gordon
Boxing: Muhammad Ali
MMA: Royce Gracie
Swimming: Michael Phelps
Football: Jerry Rice

Of all those mentioned -- I'm going to have to go with the majority and say MJ. Only to be superceded by Ray Lewis.
[/quote]
Why Agassi instead of Federer? Especially now that Agassi admitted to using crystal meth?

[PuRock]

[quote name='DrMoonTooth' timestamp='1282140552' post='453589']
Why Agassi instead of Federer? Especially now that Agassi admitted to using crystal meth?
[/quote]

Makes him cooler. It's not like crystal meth elevated his game. You never hear about players using crystal meth to get a "competitive edge."

[DrMoonTooth]

I think it has to be Michael Jordan. Tiger Woods has to be up there though because of his impact on golf. The only reason I've grown to actually stand watching golf on tv is because of Tiger. Even with Woods' current situation, golf has resurfaced as a mentionable sport because of his sole existence.

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1282140798' post='453595']
Makes him cooler. It's not like crystal meth elevated his game. You never hear about players using crystal meth to get a "competitive edge."
[/quote]
Cooler? Not in the tennis world. It doesn't have to elevate his game to put a dent in his popularity. Federer takes the cake anyway. I would have to say the greatest experience of my life thus far was being at the 2009 US Open semifinals watching Federer play Djokovic. His tweener to set up three match points was the most glorious thing I'll ever be a part of...all space and time stopped (just like in movies oddly enough).

[H8R]

I'd put Pete Sampras ahead of Federer.

[DrMoonTooth]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1282141905' post='453603']
I'd put Pete Sampras ahead of Federer.
[/quote]
That's definitely arguable since the topic is "Most Popular Athlete". I can't really put my two cents in on that one though because I was too young when Sampras was still playing.

[Clutch Ravens]

Michael Jordan with Pele as a close 2nd.

If you ask anyone to name a Football (Soccer) player they will say either Pele or Maradonna.

If you ask anyone to name a Basketball player the answer will be Michael Jordan 99.9999999999999999999% of the time.