Biggest sports star ever?

[LaPuzza]

Ali.

Presently, I think it has to be Tiger. There are a lot of sports stars today, but I think Tiger and Becks are the only worldwide, can't go out without getting mobbed, superstars we have today.

[The Owl]

I think Gretzky should get a nod, considering his accomplishments from youth through the pros.

[abris33]

Tiger is only a golfer, and most of the people on this planet could care less about golf. Football, or "soccer" as it is called in America, is KING. Pele was the King of Football, and most people in the world know the current stars of that sport, including David Trezeguet, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Football stars play before 120,000 or more people for one game. The World Cup dwarfs the Super Bowl in number of people who watch on TV. The Masters and the golf Majors do not even appear on the screen of most watched sporting events.

True, he is only a golfer, but he's also a celebrity. Ask anyone who doesn't know about golf, and they will know who Tiger is. Probably, based on population, it would have to be a football(not American) player. Pele, probably.

[senorchipotle]

Totally wrong. Beckenbauer isn't nearly as big a name and wasn't nearly as talented a player as Maradona.

i never said the greatest sports star was american. i said pele was the best, and greatest of all of them. beckenbauer was infinitely more talented than maradona. ok, maybe not infinitely, but he was better. he could play all over and dominate that position. probably the smartest player ever to play football. hell, i'd start eric cantona over maradona any day of the week. but all in all, and i hate to say it because i'm a liverpool fan, i think ronaldo will surpass them all. i actually laughed when he got purchased by real madrid cause my best friends are all man. u supporters. blah.

[enarhi]

i never said the greatest sports star was american. i said pele was the best, and greatest of all of them. beckenbauer was infinitely more talented than maradona. ok, maybe not infinitely, but he was better. he could play all over and dominate that position. probably the smartest player ever to play football. hell, i'd start eric cantona over maradona any day of the week. but all in all, and i hate to say it because i'm a liverpool fan, i think ronaldo will surpass them all. i actually laughed when he got purchased by real madrid cause my best friends are all man. u supporters. blah.

Whaaaaaa?? I love Beckenbauer (and Pele for that matter), but it's pretty widely accepted that Maradona was equal to both of them based purely upon playing skill. In fact, they are all so equally great that to say any one of the three is superior to the others is really just a matter of opinion (Throw in Cruyff too, all four as the equal greats of the century). But to say with such confidence that Beckenbauer was better? That's laughable. And being a Man U fan myself, I am torn on Ronaldo--like you I'm convinced he's the best footballer of our generation, but with players like Macheda and Anderson on their way up we shouldn't miss him as much as other teams would.

[Sir Ryan]

Kobe and Tiger IMO

[Kellfire]

Whaaaaaa?? I love Beckenbauer (and Pele for that matter), but it's pretty widely accepted that Maradona was equal to both of them based purely upon playing skill. In fact, they are all so equally great that to say any one of the three is superior to the others is really just a matter of opinion (Throw in Cruyff too, all four as the equal greats of the century). But to say with such confidence that Beckenbauer was better? That's laughable. And being a Man U fan myself, I am torn on Ronaldo--like you I'm convinced he's the best footballer of our generation, but with players like Macheda and Anderson on their way up we shouldn't miss him as much as other teams would.

Anderson is woeful and I wish people would accept that. His second touch is a tackle, his passing is terrible and his lack of goals can't be ignored, even if he did score a stunning free kick against Boca.

[enarhi]

Anderson is woeful and I wish people would accept that. His second touch is a tackle, his passing is terrible and his lack of goals can't be ignored, even if he did score a stunning free kick against Boca.

Quite valid. He's got a ton of potential though--the optimist in me wants him to fulfill that potential, although reality may prove otherwise.

[plark]

Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin

[Acropo]

...in England, Australia, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies.

That would be about one-third of the world's population, then. Oh, and you forgot Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - so approaching half. Compared to how many for N America?

I think that poster was taking the mick, a bit , and winding up those who reel off names that may well be recognisable in the US but they play only American sports and really don't tinkle many bells in the rest of the world. fwiw, I go for Ali, after consideration. (But grudging respect to The Don and to WG Grace and CB Fry - I know his grandson...!)

[krzcnd]

In general I'd say Tiger Woods.. But if your into sports at all Roger Federer is close behind...

[wubskis]

Gillette run an ad campaign in the UK (no idea about overseas?) that features Tiger, Federer and Thierry Henry. I feel kinda bad for Henry being lined up against pretty much the biggest names in sport right now, whilst he's only really a name around Europe.

My vote would go to Tiger though.

[TheJuice]

If you wanted the most recognizable sports star - Right Now...
Michael Phelps, hands down.

[finoky]

Ali would be my pick.

[Cussin hacker]

The Big Bambeano, The Sultun of Swatt, The Baby Ruth.............Yea yea man Babe Ruth!!!!!!!

[brgolf]

There is a snooker player whose name escapes me but probably not forgotten by his 1 billion chinese countrymen.

Michael Schumacher, Tiger Woods and Cristiano Ronaldo must be considered too. Last I heard Schumacher was earning $200m per year though the exchange rate has since fluctuated and Formula 1 is a global brand.

[yenner]

I haven't read this whole thread, I will try when I have some more time sense it piqued my interest, but what about Olympic athletes? Definitely world renown. Mist May Treanor and Kristy Walsh with over 180 straight wins including Olympics? Michael Phelps with his record setting 7 medals? What about basketball back when it WAS an Olympic sport? I think most of the world knew who Jordan was then, along with the rest of the dream team. Show of hands, who has heard of Lance Armstong? 7 Tour de France wins in a row? Certainly an international event, although may not be a "sport". There's just so many people that have done so many great things it's hard to single out the "best" in my opinion.

[enduro]

Tiger Woods is as well known in the USA as he is in every other region. He has his own line of clothing, gear, Gatorade, etc. I really believe he is the biggest sports star of all time and he will become the first billionaire athlete from what I've read.

Pele was a good selection too. As was Muhammad Ali.