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[Anustart]

I couldn't quote a single sports player.

 

[The Incarnation]

Jordan. Literally everyone knows him and his brand is still selling strong worldwide

Could say the same for George Foreman

 

[lovely ladies]

Ali
Michael Jordan
Wayne Gretzky
John Cena

 

[CarpeDeezNutz]

Famous means scandals too right?

 

[krae_man]

Usain Bolt might get there if he 3-peats.

I'd probably pick Ali.

Ali
Michael Jordan
Wayne Gretzky
John Cena

OP said sports person, not walking billboard. Thus race car drivers are also disqualified.

 

[isoquant]

Sachin Tendulkar has to be up there.

Usain Bolt is another dark horse.

In terms of football, I think you'll find that current stars are more well-known than older ones: Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi probably have bigger name recognition than Maradona.

 

[speculawyer]

Could say the same for George Foreman

I wonder how many people with George Foreman grilles have no idea of why he is famous?

 

[Aureon]

The guy from Space Jam

Yeah, that's it. No beating Jordan.
And i'm from Italy, soccer is basically the true religion of the place.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

No one says Gretsky, huh? I'm Canadian and from a certain generation, but I thought he'd be up there...

I thought Gretsky before entering the topic but I'm also Canadian...

 

[terrisus]

Could say the same for George Foreman

I wonder how many people with George Foreman grilles have no idea of why he is famous?

I wonder how many people with Michael Jordan clothing have no idea of why he is famous.

 

[KiwiLannister]

Could say the same for George Foreman

Most people don't even know that he was a boxer. Like I'm not making it up, I had to explain to my family recently that the George Foreman grill was named after a boxer and not some random guy that made it. So I kinda doubt that it counts.

I wonder how popular Ali is in Asia and India. Because if we're looking for who was the most famous at his peak rather than who is the most famous currently, he would probably be in the discussion. However if we're talking about right now than anyone before say, the 90s at earliest, is probably not worth talking about since people forget about people over time. MJ is only in the discussion because of his shoes.

 

[RELAYER]

Probably Muhammed Ali.

"Float like a butterfly sting like a bee" is a widely known and repeated quote.

 

[RustyNails]

I would say Tyson is more famous than Ali.


I knew people would mention Jordan. Not even top 10 imo.

Go to any part of Africa, they will know who Ali is. Tyson? Not so sure.

 

[Instro]

Ali
Pele
MJ

Can't think of anyone else who would come close to these three.

 

[Sephzilla]

Ali, Pele, Michael Jordan

 

[RustyNails]

My list is as follows:

1) Ali
2) Sir Vivian Richards
3) Maradona

Also, does WWE professional wrestling count as sport? then HULKMANIA

 

[krae_man]

My list is as follows:

1) Ali
2) Sir Vivian Richards
3) Maradona

Also, does WWE professional wrestling count as sport? then HULKMANIA

If you're going to count wrestlers, It would probably have to be Bret Hart at the earliest. I don't know if WWE's worldwide syndication network had been completely set up in the late 80's early 90's yet. Also the rest of the world loves the Canadian wrestlers way more then the US wrestlers.

 

[terrisus]

If you're going to count wrestlers, It would probably have to be Bret Hart at the earliest. I don't know if WWE's worldwide syndication network had been completely set up in the late 80's early 90's yet. Also the rest of the world loves the Canadian wrestlers way more then the US wrestlers.

As someone born in 1982 and lived my entire life in the US, I'll say - "Who? Never heard of him."

 

[Raab]

Not sure about my previous post anymore after reading the title. What is the criteria for "sports person"? I'll be that guy :|

Walt Disney

 

[Piano]

I thought Gretsky before entering the topic but I'm also Canadian...

American reporting in.
Nobody where I am cares about Wayne Gretzky any more.
American out.

 

[cafemomo]

No, but I have visited many Asian countries.

You must be an expert in Asian culture then

 

[RustyNails]

As someone born in 1982 and lived my entire life in the US, I'll say - "Who? Never heard of him."

the hitman bro.

 

[hidys]

I have trouble believing it's anyone other than Michael Jordon.

 

[MIMIC]

Ali, Pele and Anderson Varejao.

 

[Dresden]

Michael Jordan. That said someone like Pele, Babe Ruth or Stone Cold Steve Austin comes close.

 

[krae_man]

As someone born in 1982 and lived my entire life in the US, I'll say - "Who? Never heard of him."

You realize that's almost as stupid as saying you've never heard of The Rock, or Stone Cold or Hulk Hogan right?

Bret Hart:

 

[Raab]

American reporting in.
Nobody where I am cares about Wayne Gretzky any more.
American out.

He is the GOAT in the NHL, but Gordie Howe is my idol. A goal, assist, and a fight.

 

[terrisus]

the hitman bro.

Still not ringing any bells.

You realize that's almost as stupid as saying you've never heard of The Rock, or Stone Cold or Hulk Hogan right?

I've heard of Hulk Hogan.
The others though, aside from having heard their name, I couldn't tell you a thing about them, or identify them in a group of people.

 

[krae_man]

Okay now you're claiming you don't know a think about The Rock? You're really doubling down.

 

[Data West]

Andre was far more famous than Bret. In both America, Europe, and Japan. That was their whole thing with Andre vs Hulk was 'most famous in the world' vs 'most famous in the USA'

 

[bomma_man]

Michael Jordan. That said someone like Pele, Babe Ruth or Stone Cold Steve Austin comes close.

Bradman >>>> Ruth

 

[Pachimari]

Some people in here I have never heard about. Like Gretzky and Stone Cold. They're totally no names to me.

I would say Pele or Maradona. And then Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali.

 

[Cyan]

Interested to see answers.

Diego Maradona the most famous sports person of all time imo.

That name sounds vaguely familiar. Is that the guy who's famous for punching a soccer ball one time?

 

[terrisus]

Okay now you're claiming you don't know a think about The Rock? You're really doubling down.

There's more to the world than just what you and people you know have experienced.

I could tell you plenty about Alexander Cartwright, Albert Spalding, Ed Delahanty, or a variety of other famous people.

 

[RBK]

Jordan or Ali.

 

[Data West]

Some people in here I have never heard about. Like Gretzky and Stone Cold. They're totally no names to me.

I would say Pele or Maradona. And then Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali.

I've never heard the name 'Maradona' until this thread.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

I would say Tyson is more famous than Ali.


I knew people would mention Jordan. Not even top 10 imo.

On what world is Tyson more famous than Ali.

On what fucking planet?

The first true American sports superstar was Michael Jordan.

I can't speak for the rest of the world.

Before babe Ruth of course.

My list would be
Ali
Ruth
Pele
Jordan

No particular order

 

[FootballFan]

Probably Muhammad Ali

Surprised it took 8 posts to get to the greatest.

Surely it's ali. Right?

 

[DonasaurusRex]

Jordan or his equivalent soccer player.

 

[Pachimari]

I've never heard the name 'Maradona' until this thread.

And that's my point.

 

[Despera]

Mohammed Ali.

Then it's a toss between Maradona and Pele.

 

[krae_man]

Andre was far more famous than Bret. In both America, Europe, and Japan. That was their whole thing with Andre vs Hulk was 'most famous in the world' vs 'most famous in the USA'

I still say the TV syndication infrastructure WWE had set up from Bret forward easily beats newspaper reports or however Andre's fame would have had to spread.

 

[RustyNails]

I fear for the day my kid grows up and says, "Michael jordan? Who's that?"

 

[Data West]

I fear for the day my kid grows up and says, "Michael jordan? Who's that?"

That's what Isaiah Washington's kids say every day from birth

 

[krae_man]

There's more to the world than just what you and people you know have experienced.

I could tell you plenty about Alexander Cartwright, Albert Spalding, Ed Delahanty, or a variety of other famous people.

So you're a baseball historian. Still doesn't mean I believe you are barely aware of the existence of the most popular wrestlers and Hollywood actors of the past 20 years.

 

[Gorillaz]

Jordan and Ali

 

[FTF]

Jordan is the first name that comes to mind

 

[terrisus]

So you're a baseball historian. Still doesn't mean I believe you are barely aware of the existence of the most popular wrestlers and Hollywood actors of the past 20 years.

Well, you're obviously free to believe what you want.

I don't watch wrestling, and don't watch movies.
And as far as movies - so in terms of people who don't watch wrestling who do watch movies - unless they were playing themselves by their own names in a wrestling movie or scene, it's not like they would somehow draw a connection that "Oh, hey, this guy is a wrestler."

 

[Brakke]

Secret correct answers: Arnold Palmer. Maybe Tiger Woods. Federer maybe?

 

[Rorschach]

Maradona is a fat little tax dodging coke head.

And a terrible manager!