The 50 Most Influential Sports Stars in the World – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
In a year filled with breakthrough performances, massive transfers, and bold statements both on and off the field, these 50 stars have stood out not just for what they’ve achieved—but for how they’ve changed the game. Their influence goes beyond stats and trophies: it’s about cultural power, commercial reach, and global relevance.
We’ve taken a closer look at the world’s most influential figures in sports right now—ranking them from No. 50 to No. 1
50. Jorge Mendes
One of football’s most powerful agents, Mendes continues to shape the transfer market. Representing stars like João Félix and Bernardo Silva, his influence stretches across clubs, leagues, and nations.
49. Sheikh Mansour
The man behind Manchester City and City Football Group, Mansour has transformed club ownership into a global strategy. His investment model spans five continents and dominates modern football economics.
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48. Angel City FC Ownership Group
Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman, and Julie Uhrman built Angel City FC into the most valuable women’s sports franchise. Their groundbreaking model fuses activism, innovation, and fan engagement.
47. Cathy Engelbert
As WNBA commissioner, Engelbert has overseen explosive growth, new expansion franchises, and record-breaking viewership. Her leadership is setting the league up for sustainable success.
46. Roger Goodell
The NFL commissioner continues to expand football’s global presence through international games and lucrative media deals. He remains the most powerful figure in American sports governance.
45. Tony Petitti
Big Ten commissioner Petitti is reshaping college athletics through bold media rights strategies and playoff negotiations. His work is redefining the future of collegiate sports.
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44. Virat Kohli
India’s cricket icon remains one of the most followed athletes on the planet. With major World Cup performances and unmatched brand power in Asia, Kohli bridges sport and celebrity like few others.
43. Ilona Maher
A bronze medalist in Paris and breakout social media star, Maher blends rugby success with relatable TikTok charisma. She’s expanding rugby’s appeal to a new generation.
42. Dawn Staley
Staley’s undefeated season with South Carolina cemented her as the dominant force in women’s college basketball. Her voice also leads cultural and equality conversations in the sport.
41. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Though retired, Zlatan remains a giant personality in global football. His influence at AC Milan and within the Swedish sports world ensures his legacy goes well beyond the pitch.
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40. Lewis Hamilton
With seven world titles and a 2025 move to Ferrari, Hamilton remains central in Formula 1’s global narrative. Off the track, he uses his platform to champion equity and environmental causes.
39. Paul Skenes
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ phenom pitcher turned heads in his rookie season, earning an All-Star start. With elite velocity and charisma, Skenes is reshaping MLB’s next generation of stars.
38. Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler added a second Masters win and Olympic gold to his already impressive résumé in 2024. He’s now firmly established as golf’s most consistent and dominant player.
37. Travis Hunter
The Colorado two-way sensation is redefining what a college football player can be. With his coach Deion Sanders, Hunter has become both a sporting and cultural phenomenon.
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36. Dan Hurley
Hurley turned UConn into a college basketball juggernaut with back-to-back national titles. Turning down the Lakers and Kentucky, he cemented himself as a builder of dynasties.
35. Mark Walter
The Dodgers owner pulled off the Shohei Ohtani deal and launched the PWHL, a serious bid to elevate women’s hockey. His quiet influence cuts across multiple sports landscapes.
34. Candace Parker
Now retired from the WNBA, Parker leads Adidas’s women’s basketball division and stars in NBA media. With ownership ambitions, she’s redefining post-career power.
33. Max Verstappen
Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1 remains historic. His relentless pace and global following make him one of the most marketable and intimidating athletes in motorsports.
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32. Aryna Sabalenka
With multiple Grand Slam titles and a growing international profile, Sabalenka is at the forefront of women’s tennis. Her aggressive game and public presence make her a standout in 2024.
31. Katie Ledecky
The long-distance swimming legend added to her medal count in Paris and continues to dominate the 800m and 1500m freestyle. Her dedication and consistency remain unmatched.
30. Mikel Arteta
Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a serious Premier League contender again, building a team with identity and tactical sophistication. His coaching philosophy is shaping a new generation of managers.
29. Connor McDavid
The best player in hockey, McDavid dazzled during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and continues to break records. His speed and skill are unmatched, and he’s pushing the NHL into a new era.
28. Steve Ballmer
The Clippers owner is redefining what franchise investment looks like, opening the $2 billion Intuit Dome in 2024. His blend of tech wealth and basketball obsession makes him a unique figure in sports ownership.
27. Alexia Putellas
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner is the face of women’s football in Europe. As a leader for both Barcelona and Spain, her influence reaches far beyond the pitch.
26. Jude Bellingham
At just 21, Bellingham has become Real Madrid’s heartbeat and one of the best midfielders in the world. His impact in La Liga and for England puts him at the center of global football’s future.
25. Shohei Ohtani
Though not originally on the list, Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Dodgers and transcendent two-way ability makes him a global icon. He's a singular figure in the baseball world and beyond.
24. Anthony Edwards
With star power on and off the court, Edwards is becoming the face of the NBA’s future. He led the Timberwolves deep into the playoffs and brought swagger to Team USA at the Olympics.
23. Jannik Sinner
The 22-year-old Italian became world No. 1 after winning the 2024 Australian Open. His poise, power, and popularity are helping to define tennis’s post-Big Three era.
22. Tom Brady
The seven-time Super Bowl champ is now an NFL analyst, WNBA team owner, and businessman. Even in retirement, Brady continues to shape the narrative and business of football.
21. Xabi Alonso
As Bayer Leverkusen’s manager, Alonso led the club to an unbeaten Bundesliga season. He’s now the most sought-after coaching mind in Europe and a symbol of modern tactical brilliance.
20. A’ja Wilson
Arguably the best women’s basketball player in the world, Wilson added another WNBA title and Finals MVP to her résumé. Her Nike signature shoe drops in 2025, long overdue.
19. Victor Wembanyama
The 7’4” French phenom is unlike anything the NBA has ever seen. In his rookie season, he became one of the league’s most watched and marketable stars worldwide.
18. Stephen A. Smith
Whether on ESPN or his own podcast, Smith drives the U.S. sports conversation daily. His blend of charisma, controversy, and consistency makes him the most influential media figure in American sports.
17. Novak Djokovic
Still chasing records and winning big titles, Djokovic is also a major force behind the scenes in player governance. He remains the most politically powerful athlete in tennis.
16. Pep Guardiola
His coaching tree now spans Europe, and his tactics are replicated across leagues. Guardiola’s dominance at Manchester City is matched only by his broader philosophical impact on football.
15. Emma Hayes
After dominating English football with Chelsea, Hayes took over the USWNT and led them to Olympic gold in her debut tournament. She’s the highest-paid women’s football coach in history.
14. Aleksander Čeferin
As UEFA president, Čeferin is one of the most powerful people in world football. He’s led the charge against a breakaway Super League and shaped the future of European competitions.
13. Florentino Pérez
The Real Madrid president just brought in Kylian Mbappé and continues to build dynasties on and off the field. The renovated Bernabéu and record title haul underline his vision and reach.
12. Simone Biles
Back at the top in Paris, Biles led the U.S. to gold and reignited the conversation on mental health in sports. She’s the most decorated gymnast of all time and still rewriting the rules.
11. Kylian Mbappé
After years of speculation, Mbappé finally joined Real Madrid. Already a global star, his move marks the next chapter in football’s most compelling career — with the power to shift the balance of club and international competition.
10. Adam Silver
The NBA commissioner just secured an $76 billion media rights deal that will shape the league’s next decade. His progressive leadership has made the NBA a global force and a model of modern sports governance.
9. Caitlin Clark
She redefined what’s possible for a college basketball player, then took the WNBA by storm. Clark’s shooting, swagger, and commercial impact have turned her into a generational icon almost overnight.
8. Tiger Woods
He barely plays, but Woods remains golf’s most influential figure. As a key decision-maker in the PGA Tour’s future, and co-creator of his new brand Sun Day Red, Tiger is shaping the game for generations to come.
7. Carlos Alcaraz
At just 21, Alcaraz became the first man since Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. Charismatic and clutch, he’s already one of the most valuable assets in global tennis.
6. Yasir Al-Rumayyan
The governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is the driving force behind LIV Golf, Newcastle United, and a long-term sports strategy that’s reshaping the global sports economy.
5. Patrick Mahomes
Already a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champ at age 29, Mahomes is also a part-owner of teams across MLB, MLS, and F1. He’s building an empire that mirrors his playmaking greatness.
4. Michael Rubin
The Fanatics CEO has built a $31 billion sports retail empire, revolutionizing how fans buy merchandise, place bets, and engage with teams. Rubin’s business footprint touches nearly every league.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Even in the twilight of his playing days, Ronaldo remains the most-followed person on Instagram and one of the most marketable athletes in the world. His move to Saudi Arabia ignited a regional football revolution, and his voice still echoes across every level of the game.
2. Lionel Messi
He made history as the first player to win the Ballon d’Or while playing in MLS and lifted another Copa América with Argentina. Messi’s Inter Miami move didn’t just boost American soccer—it supercharged it.
1. LeBron James
In his 21st season, LeBron is playing alongside his son while remaining a top-tier NBA player. Off the court, he’s an empire unto himself—activist, investor, producer, and the most influential American athlete alive.
