OT: Most influential U.S. athlete of the past 25 years?

[Jaydumo20]

In your opinion, who is the most influential athlete in America over the past 25 years? You define influential.

Tiger? Caitlin Clark? Brady? The only thing is their influence has to be directly felt, not tangentially. And they have to have been active in the 2ks.

Im keeping this confined to this country. If you are big elsewhere, even better, but for this post's purpose, like the pop music charts- you ain't a hit unless you're a hit here.

(They dont have to be American born)

 

[husky429]

My gut says Lebron, but I'd be willing to listen to other opinions.

 

[Deepster]

Has to be Tiger. He brought an entire generation of kids (and non-white kids) into golf and dominated the sport unlike anyone has ever dominated their sport before. Add in his "brand" and the commercials. The red shirt on Sunday. The iconic highlights.

I don't even see it as close.

Tiger










Everyone else.

 

[RichCTBB]

Tiger? I can’t think of anyone else who has had as much of an impact on retail branding than Michael Jordan….Tiger comes to mind first…..can’t say I recall people wearing Tom Brady trainers or turf shoes casually

 

[superjohn]

Is this a serious question?

 

[Jaydumo20]

Im gonna say Steph Curry. It can be argued that he transformed every single position on the basketball court.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

I’ll thrown in Mahomes but can’t argue with Tiger, Curry or LeBron.

 

[Jumpman62114]

Has to be Tiger. He brought an entire generation of kids (and non-white kids) into golf and dominated the sport unlike anyone has ever dominated their sport before. Add in his "brand" and the commercials. The red shirt on Sunday. The iconic highlights.

I don't even see it as close.

Tiger










Everyone else.

100% agree, I would say Tiger. Inspired a generation of people to watch and play golf that probably otherwise wouldn't have. Without him the entire sport wouldn't be where it is today. I would say close #2 between Lebron and Steph. LeBron lived up to the hype and ascended to reach the lofty ceiling so many envisioned. Steph changed the way basketball is played and the immense gravity otherworldly shooting brings. Every kid I see at the park today wants to be Steph, for better or worse.

 

[Citrusdog]

Tiger Woods - arguably the golfer the world has ever seen.

 

[Jaydumo20]

We cant overlook the bar that Brady set in terms of conditioning and playing at an all-pro level well into one's late 30's-early 40s. LeBron is in that category too of course.

 

[RuffRuff]

We cant overlook the bar that Brady set in terms of conditioning and playing at an all-pro level well into one's late 30's-early 40s. LeBron is in that category too of course.

Determining the most influential U.S. athletes of the last 25 years draws on both their on-field achievements and their broader cultural, social, and philanthropic impact. Based on expert rankings and notable accomplishments, here’s a thoughtfully curated Top 5 list of influential American athletes from roughly 2000–2025:

Top 5 Most Influential U.S. Athletes (2000–2025)​

1. Serena Williams​

Why she stands out:

• Amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, plus multiple Olympic golds and doubles accolades. SI+2The Score+2TIME
  
• Transformed women’s tennis with her power, dominance, and style, and became a role model for resilience, confidence, and overcoming adversity. TIME
  
• A powerful businesswoman and icon, paving the way for athletes of color and women in sport.

2. Michael Phelps​

Why he stands out:

• Holds the record as the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals (23 golds). Talksport+15Business Insider+15GQ+15Wikipedia+2Talksport+2
  
• His success elevated visibility for Olympic sports and sparked a generation of young swimmers.

3. Simone Biles​

Why she stands out:

• Most decorated gymnast in history with over 30 World Championship medals, including 23 golds, plus multiple Olympic titles. Wikipedia
  
• Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and widely recognized for advocating athlete mental health and excellence. Wikipedia+14Wikipedia+14Reddit+14
  

4. LeBron James​

Why he stands out:

• NBA legend with numerous MVPs, championships, and record-breaking performances—including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Wikipedia
  
• A cultural and social influencer, blending elite athletic performance with business, media, and activism roles.
  

5. Megan Rapinoe​

Why she stands out:

• Key figure in U.S. Women’s Soccer success (World Cups, Olympics) with standout performances and awards. WikipediaTIME
  

A fierce advocate for equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

 

[bjc42]

Determining the most influential U.S. athletes of the last 25 years draws on both their on-field achievements and their broader cultural, social, and philanthropic impact. Based on expert rankings and notable accomplishments, here’s a thoughtfully curated Top 5 list of influential American athletes from roughly 2000–2025:

Top 5 Most Influential U.S. Athletes (2000–2025)​

1. Serena Williams​

Why she stands out:

• Amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, plus multiple Olympic golds and doubles accolades. SI+2The Score+2TIME
• Transformed women’s tennis with her power, dominance, and style, and became a role model for resilience, confidence, and overcoming adversity. TIME
• A powerful businesswoman and icon, paving the way for athletes of color and women in sport.

2. Michael Phelps​

Why he stands out:

• Holds the record as the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals (23 golds). Talksport+15Business Insider+15GQ+15Wikipedia+2Talksport+2
• His success elevated visibility for Olympic sports and sparked a generation of young swimmers.

3. Simone Biles​

Why she stands out:

• Most decorated gymnast in history with over 30 World Championship medals, including 23 golds, plus multiple Olympic titles. Wikipedia
• Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and widely recognized for advocating athlete mental health and excellence. Wikipedia+14Wikipedia+14Reddit+14

4. LeBron James​

Why he stands out:

• NBA legend with numerous MVPs, championships, and record-breaking performances—including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Wikipedia
• A cultural and social influencer, blending elite athletic performance with business, media, and activism roles.

5. Megan Rapinoe​

Why she stands out:

• Key figure in U.S. Women’s Soccer success (World Cups, Olympics) with standout performances and awards. WikipediaTIME

A fierce advocate for equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Chatgpt warrior here

 

[thekollieman]

Determining the most influential U.S. athletes of the last 25 years draws on both their on-field achievements and their broader cultural, social, and philanthropic impact. Based on expert rankings and notable accomplishments, here’s a thoughtfully curated Top 5 list of influential American athletes from roughly 2000–2025:

Top 5 Most Influential U.S. Athletes (2000–2025)​

1. Serena Williams​

Why she stands out:

• Amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, plus multiple Olympic golds and doubles accolades. SI+2The Score+2TIME
• Transformed women’s tennis with her power, dominance, and style, and became a role model for resilience, confidence, and overcoming adversity. TIME
• A powerful businesswoman and icon, paving the way for athletes of color and women in sport.

2. Michael Phelps​

Why he stands out:

• Holds the record as the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals (23 golds). Talksport+15Business Insider+15GQ+15Wikipedia+2Talksport+2
• His success elevated visibility for Olympic sports and sparked a generation of young swimmers.

3. Simone Biles​

Why she stands out:

• Most decorated gymnast in history with over 30 World Championship medals, including 23 golds, plus multiple Olympic titles. Wikipedia
• Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and widely recognized for advocating athlete mental health and excellence. Wikipedia+14Wikipedia+14Reddit+14

4. LeBron James​

Why he stands out:

• NBA legend with numerous MVPs, championships, and record-breaking performances—including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Wikipedia
• A cultural and social influencer, blending elite athletic performance with business, media, and activism roles.

5. Megan Rapinoe​

Why she stands out:

• Key figure in U.S. Women’s Soccer success (World Cups, Olympics) with standout performances and awards. WikipediaTIME

A fierce advocate for equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Serena Williams and Phelps are definitely in the conversation, although I’d never list them 1-2.

 

[RuffRuff]

Chatgpt warrior here

Just offering a little AI context to the conversation. Some surprising names on this list. Rapinoe makes most people gag.

Personally, while Phelps accomplishments are amazing, I don't think they come close to the overall difficulty of Brady's. A single contributor vs a leader of men in what I'd consider the single hardest position in sports, is night and day.

 

[imno1]

Joey Chestnut got to be on the list.

 

[Flipside]

4. LeBron James​

Why he stands out:

• NBA legend with numerous MVPs, championships, and record-breaking performances—including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Wikipedia
• A cultural and social influencer, blending elite athletic performance with business, media, and activism roles.

flopping aside, ha, LeBron is my #1

... straight to the NBA w/o the benefit of a college alumni base to help propel & protect a pro career

... never heard of any major drama; domestic, making it rain the strip club, etc

 

[RuffRuff]

flopping aside, ha, LeBron is my #1

... straight to the NBA w/o the benefit of a college alumni base to help propel & protect a pro career

... never heard of any major drama; domestic, making it rain the strip club, etc

I like your criteria on avoiding strip clubs - massively influential.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Brady wasn’t incredibly influential outside of the sport I feel like.

Tiger with commercials, persona, signature look, being a black man in an incredibly white dominant sport. Nike of course.

LeBron-Social media age, Pretty much Sport’s medias main focus for 20+ years, all of the Finals and immense battles with Steph. Shoes, philanthropy.

I could see Phelps with the accolades but not too much outside of that as in a huge star and personality.

Kobe is definitely up there to a degree as well. But, I think it is 100% either Tiger or LeBron.

 

[RuffRuff]

Brady wasn’t incredibly influential outside of the sport I feel like.

Tiger with commercials, persona, signature look, being a black man in an incredibly white dominant sport. Nike of course.

LeBron-Social media age, Pretty much Sport’s medias main focus for 20+ years, all of the Finals and immense battles with Steph. Shoes, philanthropy.

I could see Phelps with the accolades but not too much outside of that as in a huge star and personality.

Kobe is definitely up there to a degree as well. But, I think it is 100% either Tiger or LeBron.

Don't forget that Brady single handedly propelled avocado sales by 2x from 2010 to 2020.

 

[Lafayette]

Determining the most influential U.S. athletes of the last 25 years draws on both their on-field achievements and their broader cultural, social, and philanthropic impact. Based on expert rankings and notable accomplishments, here’s a thoughtfully curated Top 5 list of influential American athletes from roughly 2000–2025:

Top 5 Most Influential U.S. Athletes (2000–2025)​

1. Serena Williams​

Why she stands out:

• Amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, plus multiple Olympic golds and doubles accolades. SI+2The Score+2TIME
• Transformed women’s tennis with her power, dominance, and style, and became a role model for resilience, confidence, and overcoming adversity. TIME
• A powerful businesswoman and icon, paving the way for athletes of color and women in sport.

2. Michael Phelps​

Why he stands out:

• Holds the record as the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals (23 golds). Talksport+15Business Insider+15GQ+15Wikipedia+2Talksport+2
• His success elevated visibility for Olympic sports and sparked a generation of young swimmers.

3. Simone Biles​

Why she stands out:

• Most decorated gymnast in history with over 30 World Championship medals, including 23 golds, plus multiple Olympic titles. Wikipedia
• Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and widely recognized for advocating athlete mental health and excellence. Wikipedia+14Wikipedia+14Reddit+14

4. LeBron James​

Why he stands out:

• NBA legend with numerous MVPs, championships, and record-breaking performances—including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Wikipedia
• A cultural and social influencer, blending elite athletic performance with business, media, and activism roles.

5. Megan Rapinoe​

Why she stands out:

• Key figure in U.S. Women’s Soccer success (World Cups, Olympics) with standout performances and awards. WikipediaTIME

A fierce advocate for equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Gotta toss Sue Bird into this while her wife is 5 Sue did more on every stage 2000+

 

[CCSUblue]

Influential.... Kaepernick. Sacrificed his career for the movement. Everyone learned not to protest.

Alternative would be Dirk. Dirk made the NBA what it is today where every 7 footer needs to be able to shoot the 3. He lead the massive influx of Euro talent.

Brady is probably the most well known. Most famous. Whatever. Not most influential.

 

[TheHorde]

Tim Tebow

 

[Deepster]

We cant overlook the bar that Brady set in terms of conditioning and playing at an all-pro level well into one's late 30's-early 40s. LeBron is in that category too of course.

Personally, I don't see the longevity as being influential on a national or world stage. Admirable? Impressive? Sure.

For me, Tiger had kids who never stepped foot on a golf course before getting clubs and going to their local muni to emulate him. That's a different level for me.

 

[Deepster]

Just offering a little AI context to the conversation. Some surprising names on this list. Rapinoe makes most people gag.

Personally, while Phelps accomplishments are amazing, I don't think they come close to the overall difficulty of Brady's. A single contributor vs a leader of men in what I'd consider the single hardest position in sports, is night and day.

I would say Rapinoe isn't even the most influential in her own house.

 

[Scoe]

I would say Kemba is influential.