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

[MrJama100]

If we are talking actual influence:

1) LeBron - Basketball is an international sport now, like soccer, and he is the face of it
2) Tiger - Not just a great golfer, but broke down the implicit racist barrier golf had
3) Ohtani and Ichiro - I put these together. Maybe not US, but they sure transformed baseball.
5) Phelps - Swimming is really #1 Olynpic sport because of him
6) Biles - Gymnastics is the premier women's Olympic sport, if not the overall premier Olympic sport, because of her
7) Curry - Changed the way NBA basketball is played
8) Williams - Would be higher but Tennis is no where near what it was like in 70s and 80s
9) Clark - WNBA is now taken seriously because of her
10) Brady - Great yes, but did he really change anything? Marino was more influential on the sport in my opinion.

 

[Windham4th]

If we are talking actual influence:

1) LeBron - Basketball is an international sport now, like soccer, and he is the face of it
2) Tiger - Not just a great golfer, but broke down the implicit racist barrier golf had
3) Ohtani and Ichiro - I put these together. Maybe not US, but they sure transformed baseball.
5) Phelps - Swimming is really #1 Olynpic sport because of him
6) Biles - Gymnastics is the premier women's Olympic sport, if not the overall premier Olympic sport, because of her
7) Curry - Changed the way NBA basketball is played
8) Williams - Would be higher but Tennis is no where near what it was like in 70s and 80s
9) Clark - WNBA is now taken seriously because of her
10) Brady - Great yes, but did he really change anything? Marino was more influential on the sport in my opinion.

Laces out Dan

 

[Chin Diesel]

If we are talking actual influence:

1) LeBron - Basketball is an international sport now, like soccer, and he is the face of it
2) Tiger - Not just a great golfer, but broke down the implicit racist barrier golf had
3) Ohtani and Ichiro - I put these together. Maybe not US, but they sure transformed baseball.
5) Phelps - Swimming is really #1 Olynpic sport because of him
6) Biles - Gymnastics is the premier women's Olympic sport, if not the overall premier Olympic sport, because of her
7) Curry - Changed the way NBA basketball is played
8) Williams - Would be higher but Tennis is no where near what it was like in 70s and 80s
9) Clark - WNBA is now taken seriously because of her
10) Brady - Great yes, but did he really change anything? Marino was more influential on the sport in my opinion.

It's almost a shame there wasn't a group of NBA players prior to LeBron that opened up NBA level basketball to the world on a global stage.

 

[ARIDE]

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

Please..weak list

 

[Kolumbo]

It's almost as if Dick's is eavesdropping. There were other sections full of Jordan attire. I watched Air (2023) the other night. Not bad.

 

[NJHusky]

It's almost a shame there wasn't a group of NBA players prior to LeBron that opened up NBA level basketball to the world on a global stage.

See post 229 lol