Who is the World's Most Popular Athlete?

**Zeus** · 05-04-2006, 10:35 PM

First off - the Americans will need to get over ourselves. It isn't Tom Brady. It isn't Kobe Bryant. It isn't Derek Jeter.

So - who is it?

My honest guess is probably Michael Schumacher. The Prancing Horse has done an amazing job of building his popularity and f1 racing has world-wide coverage.

Another guess might honestly be Tiger Woods. Golf has global reach - and so does Nike.

And I'm sure there are some particular soccer/football types who should be nominated, as well. Ronaldinho? Beckham? Henry?

Let's keep this to ACTIVE athletes, please. I know that eliminates one who people want to suggest (Michael Jordan) and one who was once EASILY the most well-known (Muhammed Ali) and one who was so well-known he was even a celebrity here even though no one cared (Pele).

=Z=

**cc21** · 05-04-2006, 10:37 PM

I think maybe Shaq. Everyone knows who the guy is. Even if you don't know a thing about basketball you know who Shaq is.

**vikesoto** · 05-04-2006, 10:37 PM

Beckham....without a doubt !

**Zeus** · 05-04-2006, 10:39 PM

"coreychavous21" wrote:

I think maybe Shaq. Everyone knows who the guy is. Even if you don't know a thing about basketball you know who Shaq is.

Yao Ming is probably better known than Shaq, in my humble opinion.

=Z=

vikingTurf · 05-04-2006, 10:41 PM

"AWZeus" wrote:

First off - the Americans will need to get over ourselves. It isn't Tom Brady. It isn't Kobe Bryant. It isn't Derek Jeter.

So - who is it?

My honest guess is probably Michael Schumacher. The Prancing Horse has done an amazing job of building his popularity and f1 racing has world-wide coverage.

Another guess might honestly be Tiger Woods. Golf has global reach - and so does Nike.

And I'm sure there are some particular soccer/football types who should be nominated, as well. Ronaldinho? Beckham? Henry?

Let's keep this to ACTIVE athletes, please. I know that eliminates one who people want to suggest (Michael Jordan) and one who was once EASILY the most well-known (Muhammed Ali) and one who was so well-known he was even a celebrity here even though no one cared (Pele).

=Z=

i was about to throw Pele and MJ until I read your request of keeping it to current athletes.
It's a very tough question indeed, but i think that athlete could be one of the following:
david beckam
Yao(simply because of population of china)
Sachin Tendulkar(again, becoz of population of India)

vikingTurf · 05-04-2006, 10:41 PM

"coreychavous21" wrote:

I think maybe Shaq. Everyone knows who the guy is. Even if you don't know a thing about basketball you know who Shaq is.

only ifyou are in US, trust me, i don't think he is that popular as you think

**Zeus** · 05-04-2006, 10:42 PM

"vikingTurf" wrote:

It's a very tough question indeed, but i think that athlete could be one of the following:
david beckam
Yao(simply because of population of china)
Sachin Tendulkar(again, becoz of population of India)

Is that last guy a cricketer?

=Z=

vikingTurf · 05-04-2006, 10:43 PM

The reason I don't think Schumacher is not the top most popular is that F1 is not big in 3rd world poor countries, whereas sport like soccer has its appeal pretty much everywhere

**ultravikingfan** · 05-04-2006, 10:44 PM

I would tend to think it is not an American.

Probably a race car driver or soccer player. Not Shaq. Lebron is bigger worldwide than Shaq now.

vikingTurf · 05-04-2006, 10:45 PM

"AWZeus" wrote:

"vikingTurf" wrote:

It's a very tough question indeed, but i think that athlete could be one of the following:
david beckam
Yao(simply because of population of china)
Sachin Tendulkar(again, becoz of population of India)

Is that last guy a cricketer?

=Z=

Yeah, and nowwadays he is old and people are getting over his hype, but just few yrs back people would worship him alongside their GODS!!! and yeah i am not kidding