US tv names top five sporting GOATs list sparks instant controversy
A familiar sporting argument resurfaced this week after an older ESPN segment from 2023 began circulating again, showing longtime boxing analyst and broadcaster Max Kellerman outlining his personal list of the greatest athletes in history.
The renewed attention had less to do with the names included and more with the global icons left out.
A list shaped by controversy
The segment, originally aired on ESPN, showed Kellerman taking a stance that runs counter to much of international opinion. He omitted football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two players who often dominate GOAT discussions within the world’s most popular sport. He also bypassed Olympic legends Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, both widely regarded as once-in-a-generation athletes.
Instead, Kellerman opened with Serena Williams in fifth place, highlighting her record-setting career. “At number five it is Serena Williams,” he said. “Look, she's got more Grand Slams than anyone in history, male or female.”
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The resurfaced clip has since reignited long-running debates about what “greatness” means across different sports, eras, and competitive landscapes.
How Kellerman justified his top selections
Kellerman placed Tom Brady fourth, crediting the NFL quarterback with redefining the GOAT conversation within American football, calling him “the unanimous selection” in that sport.
Third on the list was Babe Ruth, whom Kellerman praised for his rare two-way dominance and historic influence. He argued that Ruth “basically invented modern baseball,” noting his World Series performances remained unmatched for decades.
In second place, Kellerman named Muhammad Ali, framing him not only as the most impactful heavyweight boxer but as a global figure whose influence extended far beyond sport.
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He acknowledged that Sugar Ray Robinson may have been the more complete boxer pound-for-pound, but emphasized Ali’s stature both literal and cultural gave him a different kind of supremacy.
Jordan stands alone
At the top, Kellerman placed Michael Jordan, pointing to the combination of athletic ability, competitive triumphs and statistical excellence.
“He ran the fastest, jumped the highest, dunked the best… and he also put up the best numbers,” Kellerman said, adding that Jordan’s championship record hardened his case once he had elite teammates around him.
Fans weigh in
Reaction online has been energetic and sometimes blunt. Many football supporters argued that Messi and Ronaldo continue to be undervalued by American commentators. Others questioned the absence of Bolt, Phelps and Tiger Woods.
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Several users pointed out that measuring athletic greatness through U.S. sports alone produces an incomplete picture, with one commenter noting that Bolt “dominated and broke world records for nearly a decade.”
Sources: ESPN
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