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

[CardiacAndre7]

I’m not one of those guys who discredits LeBron - he’s incredible and by any measure is great and influential. I just wanted to know that poster’s opinion on why LeBron is MORE influential in the last 25 years to Jordan. You didn’t explain it either.

Okay I guess I can break it down.

Views/eyes on the league. Warriors-Cavs was an All-Time Rivalry. The 2016 Finals may have been the best ever. I mean he made Draymond call KD crying and begging for him to join the Warriors, influencing the next stage of their great dynasty and aiding in creating arguably the greatest team ever.

Jersey Sales. International influence. Shoes, Podcasts that get a lot of views. Again, as I mentioned, being the largest media force/topic in the 2000’s. NBA players and youth players looking up to him, some considering him the GOAT. He’s been in movies.

Besides shoes, what does Jordan do influence-wise nowadays. He isn’t really in the public eye much, which, good for him. He was an awful majority owner for the Hornets, by literally all accounts.

I’m not arguing LeBron is more influential All-Time, the prompt was since 2000. I seriously can’t see how some say Jordan is most influential in that period, other than blind lust for the guy.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Lionel Messi

 

[Mr. French]

Okay I guess I can break it down.

Views/eyes on the league. Warriors-Cavs was an All-Time Rivalry. The 2016 Finals may have been the best ever. I mean he made Draymond call KD crying and begging for him to join the Warriors, influencing the next stage of their great dynasty and aiding in creating arguably the greatest team ever.

Jersey Sales. International influence. Shoes, Podcasts that get a lot of views. Again, as I mentioned, being the largest media force/topic in the 2000’s. NBA players and youth players looking up to him, some considering him the GOAT. He’s been in movies.

Besides shoes, what does Jordan do influence-wise nowadays. He isn’t really in the public eye much, which, good for him. He was an awful majority owner for the Hornets, by literally all accounts.

I’m not arguing LeBron is more influential All-Time, the prompt was since 2000. I seriously can’t see how some say Jordan is most influential in that period, other than blind lust for the guy.

Well I think he tops LeBron in most things AND he hasn’t played so that’s my personal reason for voting him. LeBron is top 5 but less influential (to me) than a guy who retired

 

[bjc42]

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.

fair enough

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Well I think he tops LeBron in most things AND he hasn’t played so that’s my personal reason for voting him. LeBron is top 5 but less influential (to me) than a guy who retired

I know you do, congrats. I vehemently disagree, but alas.

 

[superjohn]

Okay I guess I can break it down.

Views/eyes on the league. Warriors-Cavs was an All-Time Rivalry. The 2016 Finals may have been the best ever. I mean he made Draymond call KD crying and begging for him to join the Warriors, influencing the next stage of their great dynasty and aiding in creating arguably the greatest team ever.

Jersey Sales. International influence. Shoes, Podcasts that get a lot of views. Again, as I mentioned, being the largest media force/topic in the 2000’s. NBA players and youth players looking up to him, some considering him the GOAT. He’s been in movies.

Besides shoes, what does Jordan do influence-wise nowadays. He isn’t really in the public eye much, which, good for him. He was an awful majority owner for the Hornets, by literally all accounts.

I’m not arguing LeBron is more influential All-Time, the prompt was since 2000. I seriously can’t see how some say Jordan is most influential in that period, other than blind lust for the guy.

Lebron doesn't even have the most jersey sales on his own team and he gets upstaged in Cleveland by Jordan.

 

[Mr. French]

I know you do, congrats. I vehemently disagree, but alas.

Yep, that was kinda responding to you saying “blind lust” when you defined why Jordan is more influential: he hasn’t played and still outranks. The “prompt” was athletes since 2000 and he’s an athlete that still outranks LeBron in influence.

Just having the discussion at hand, no reason to get snippy. Everyone seems to get bothered when discussions take place. A sarcastic congrats is just odd banter, my man. I didn’t come at you other than having a simple convo that was presented.

 

[Palatine]

Daniel Jones. He got more coaches fired than anyone. And he's not done yet.

 

[RuffRuff]

Yep, that was kinda responding to you saying “blind lust” when you defined why Jordan is more influential: he hasn’t played and still outranks. The “prompt” was athletes since 2000 and he’s an athlete that still outranks LeBron in influence.

Just having the discussion at hand, no reason to get snippy. Everyone seems to get bothered when discussions take place. A sarcastic congrats is just odd banter, my man. I didn’t come at you other than having a simple convo that was presented.

Some people take their opinion way too seriously. As a great late HS coach once told me, opinions are like a#}holes, everyone has one.

 

[ec33]

Okay I guess I can break it down.

Views/eyes on the league. Warriors-Cavs was an All-Time Rivalry.

Aren't the ratings way down from the Jordan days? (In your defense I knew the Warriors were playing against LeBron in some finals, no idea he played for Cleveland at that time.).

And from what I can tell, all the kids want to be Steph.

 

[Tenspro2002]

So, on Caitlin Clark.....

For what it's worth, she didn't win a title in the NCAA and she has 1 season in the WNBA (which I believe Paige Bueckers is outperforming so far in her 1st season). Beuckers was more heralded as a freshman in college until she got hurt. Can Clark actually win a title somewhere before she's mentioned with a Tiger Woods?

As a women's basketball fan before Caitlin Clark, it pains me to say that -- regardless of her being less accomplished than many other superstars -- she was the variable that transformed the sport from a punchline of bro comedians to a must-see spectacle for sports fans generally.

To be clear, it never should have taken a Caitlin Clark to accomplish that, but you can't deny her impact.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Yep, that was kinda responding to you saying “blind lust” when you defined why Jordan is more influential: he hasn’t played and still outranks. The “prompt” was athletes since 2000 and he’s an athlete that still outranks LeBron in influence.

Just having the discussion at hand, no reason to get snippy. Everyone seems to get bothered when discussions take place. A sarcastic congrats is just odd banter, my man. I didn’t come at you other than having a simple convo that was presented.

He “outranks” in your mind.

That’s not me being snippy, that’s just the truth. It’s a rather incredible affinity.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Tom Brady

He is the best ever at the most important position in the game America loves most.

And he did it with will because he never had the same physical tools that others have.

I am not a Patriot fan and I am not a Brady fan as he authored the biggest Super Bowl upset against my favorite team but you have to respect what he did and the last one with Tampa was the icing on his greatness.

But he isn't the most influential athlete. Not even close.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Aren't the ratings way down from the Jordan days? (In your defense I knew the Warriors were playing against LeBron in some finals, no idea he played for Cleveland at that time.).

And from what I can tell, all the kids want to be Steph.

Sure are. Could go into factors. Not sure ratings-wise Jordan’s 2 years on the Wizards outweight LeBron’s 22 years, though.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Lebron doesn't even have the most jersey sales on his own team and he gets upstaged in Cleveland by Jordan.

What are Jordan’s jersey sales since 2000?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Okay I guess I can break it down.

Views/eyes on the league. Warriors-Cavs was an All-Time Rivalry. The 2016 Finals may have been the best ever. I mean he made Draymond call KD crying and begging for him to join the Warriors, influencing the next stage of their great dynasty and aiding in creating arguably the greatest team ever.

Jersey Sales. International influence. Shoes, Podcasts that get a lot of views. Again, as I mentioned, being the largest media force/topic in the 2000’s. NBA players and youth players looking up to him, some considering him the GOAT. He’s been in movies.

Besides shoes, what does Jordan do influence-wise nowadays. He isn’t really in the public eye much, which, good for him. He was an awful majority owner for the Hornets, by literally all accounts.

I’m not arguing LeBron is more influential All-Time, the prompt was since 2000. I seriously can’t see how some say Jordan is most influential in that period, other than blind lust for the guy.

You lost me at Warriors Cavs being anl all-time rivalry.

Everything after that absurd statement gets washed out.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

You lost me at Warriors Cavs being anl all-time rivalry.

Everything after that absurd statement gets washed out.

They played in the finals 4 years in a row. When has that happened in modern NBA history?

1-1 to start then the Warriors addef a Top-3 player in the world to a 73-9 team.

 

[superjohn]

What are Jordan’s jersey sales since 2000?

Nike holds the licensing for his jersey and and Jumpman logo. Jordan Brand had over $7 billion in sales last year and he pockets over $300 million from it every year. Jordan Brand is by far Nike's most lucrative division, Nike was down 10% in sales last year while Jordan Brand was up 6% last year.

nbastore.com tracks jersey sales and they don't track his jersey sales because of licensing agreements and his retired player status so there's no way of knowing his jersey sales but he's considered to have the most jersey sales ever and he has the highest individual jersey sale at over $10 million when his jersey went to auction beating out the Maradona's "Hand of God" jersey. There's a lot more money in sneakers than jerseys though.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Nike holds the licensing for his jersey and and Jumpman logo. Jordan Brand had over $7 billion in sales last year and he pockets over $300 million from it every year. Jordan Brand is by far Nike's most lucrative division, Nike was down 10% in sales last year while Jordan Brand was up 6% last year.

nbastore.com tracks jersey sales and they don't track his jersey sales because of licensing agreements and his retired player status so there's no way of knowing his jersey sales but he's considered to have the most jersey sales ever and he has the highest individual jersey sale at over $10 million when his jersey went to auction beating out the Maradona's "Hand of God" jersey. There's a lot more money in sneakers than jerseys though.

That’s all lovely. Didn’t ask all-time because that wasn’t the question.

 

[superjohn]

That’s all lovely. Didn’t ask all-time because that wasn’t the question.

I gave you the answer.

 

[dogpause]

Cal Ripken Jr. was influential in sports history primarily because of his legendary "Iron Man" record, which showcased unprecedented durability and a throwback work ethic that helped revive baseball's image. His influence also extended to changing how the shortstop position is played and his extensive work in youth baseball.
The "Iron Man" streak
From 1982 to 1998, Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games, breaking Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 that had stood for 56 years.

• Healing the game: In 1995, as he approached and broke Gehrig's record, Ripken captured the nation's attention and helped restore faith in baseball. The previous season had ended with a player strike, which alienated many fans. Ripken's constant, hard-nosed play provided a beloved, unifying story for the sport.
• Emphasizing durability: Ripken's streak was not just a symbol of attendance but a testament to his dedication and discipline. He played through injuries that would have sidelined other athletes, embodying a commitment to showing up every day.
• Ending with class: He voluntarily ended the streak at 2,632 games during the final home game of the 1998 season, acknowledging that the focus on his personal record had become a distraction for his team.

Redefining the shortstop position
Ripken changed the long-held notion that shortstops had to be smaller, faster players with limited power.

• At 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, Ripken was significantly larger than the typical shortstop of his era.
• His success showed that bigger players could handle the physical and defensive demands of the position, paving the way for future tall shortstops like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.
• He combined power-hitting (finishing his career with 431 home runs) with Gold Glove-caliber defense, showcasing a new kind of all-around player for the position.

Inspiring youth through the game
After his retirement, Ripken focused on growing the game of baseball for future generations.

• Ripken Baseball: He founded Ripken Baseball, a company that runs youth baseball and softball complexes across the country.
• The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation: Named after his father, a long-time baseball coach, the foundation provides at-risk youth with safe places to play and learn valuable life lessons through sports.
• Baseball diplomacy: Ripken has served as a Special Public Diplomacy Envoy for the U.S. State Department, traveling internationally to promote the sport and use baseball as a tool for connecting with communities.

• Cal Ripken - Society for American Baseball Research
  Jan 4, 2012 — Cal Ripken * On a warm September evening in 1995 at Baltimore's Camden Yards, Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. helped restore America's faith in baseball. The co...
  
  Society for American Baseball Research
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Ripken Breaks Gehrig's Iron Man Record - EBSCO
  Ripken tied Gehrig's record on September 5, 1995, before breaking it on September 6, 1995, during a game against the California Angels. The event was marked by ...
  
  
  
  
  
• Cal Ripken Jr. - Baseball Hall of Fame
  Along the way, Ripken moved from third base to shortstop despite conventional thinking that said at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds he would not be able to cover the ne...
  
  Baseball Hall of Fame
  
  
  
  
  

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[Mr. French]

He “outranks” in your mind.

That’s not me being snippy, that’s just the truth. It’s a rather incredible affinity.

You being snippy was the other stuff. I explained thoroughly in the other post actual details of why I think that, I didn't just say it. I also didn't say anything crazy about your Lebron opinion, just that I think Jordan clearly outweighs him in influence. You being snippy about a discussion is definitely weird. But it's all good, I'm just chatting.

 

[Scoe]

That’s all lovely. Didn’t ask all-time because that wasn’t the question.

Played in the last 25 years so he counts, it doesn't matter if it was the Wizards years. I get that you don't want him to fit the question though.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Played in the last 25 years so he counts, it doesn't matter if it was the Wizards years. I get that you don't want him to fit the question though.

Asked his jersey sales, that was my example. I think his jersey sales in the last 25 years would pale in comparison to LeBron’s. Would you disagree?

 

[CardiacAndre7]

You being snippy was the other stuff. I explained thoroughly in the other post actual details of why I think that, I didn't just say it. I also didn't say anything crazy about your Lebron opinion, just that I think Jordan clearly outweighs him in influence. You being snippy about a discussion is definitely weird. But it's all good, I'm just chatting.

A to D!