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

[Deepster]

Surprised we got this deep into this without Diana Taurasi being mentioned.
For those who are saying Caitlin or to a lesser degree Paige you need to look at the true GOAT who influenced this whole generation of woman’s players. That conversation starts and ends with DT.
Every one of today’s woman’s players will tell you she was the one who influenced them.

What did Taurasi influence? She didn't increase ratings, gain sponsorships, break any barriers. She was just really good at basketball in a league no one watched.

 

[storrsroars]

What did Taurasi influence? She didn't increase ratings, gain sponsorships, break any barriers. She was just really good at basketball in a league no one watched.

Sadly, very true. Which is reason #1 she had to play in Russia to make money.

"Taurasi" is a great documentary though. Worth watching even if you generally avoid women's hoops. It's on Prime.

 

[bobbyinaz]

What did Taurasi influence? She didn't increase ratings, gain sponsorships, break any barriers. She was just really good at basketball in a league no one watched.

She influenced this whole generation of woman’s players and was responsible for changing the way the woman’s game is played.
There is no Caitlin, Paige or Sabrina without her.

 

[Flipside]

What did Taurasi influence? She didn't increase ratings, gain sponsorships, break any barriers. She was just really good at basketball in a league no one watched.

love Taurasi, and at the same time agree ... but it's not on her, imho

The WNBA has a branding problem - too focused on guilting people in to watching, rather than refining their product offering

1st suggestion to the WNBA - get rid of that friggin' ridiculous striped basketball (which reminds me of the ABA & Globetrotters clown shows), and serves to take one's eyes off the play on the court - and is the reason why they get 0 minutes of TV time in this household ... we ain't that stupid, lol

 

[WhereistheDove?]

love Taurasi, and at the same time agree ... but it's not on her, imho

The WNBA has a branding problem - too focused on guilting people in to watching, rather than refining their product offering

1st suggestion to the WNBA - get rid of that friggin' ridiculous striped basketball (which reminds me of the ABA & Globetrotters clown shows), and serves to take one's eyes off the play on the court - and is the reason why they get 0 minutes of TV time in this household ... we ain't that stupid, lol

Serious old man yells at clouds energy in this post.

 

[storrsroars]

Serious old man yells at clouds energy in this post.

Seems like he was an old man already when the ABA was created.

I owned an ABA ball and the Nets/Dr J were my team.

WNBA just broke the league's all time attendance record with 3 fewer teams and 30 fewer games - still three weeks to go. And that's mostly due to Clark with an assist from Paige. They're following the NBA by marketing their biggest stars.

 

[mauconnfan]

Tiger

 

[Deepster]

She influenced this whole generation of woman’s players and was responsible for changing the way the woman’s game is played.
There is no Caitlin, Paige or Sabrina without her.

I don’t think that’s true outside of CT. And I really like her a lot.

 

[NC_Uconn_Fan]

It's Tiger. He influenced a whole new generation to play the game, including me.