Ranker SportsList RulesVote up the athletes who changed their sport forever, bringing major contributions each time they performed.
The most influential athletes of all time aren't just the best stars from their respective sports, but some of the most iconic individuals in the sports world. Whether they broke countless records or changed the way we all look at a specific sport, they influenced generations to come and will always be remembered at the top of their class. So, who do you think are the most influential athletes ever?
No matter the sport or discipline, these top athletes are true icons. Whether you're talking the New York Yankees great Babe Ruth or NBA GOAT Michael Jordan, the athletes listed here are far from your average sports stars. Take the legendary Deion Sanders, for example. Not only is he considered an NFL great, he's also an established professional baseball player—proving he's one of the greatest all-around athletes of all time. While he's a rare case in terms of athletes, others on this list of influential sports stars have contributed greatly to their sport.
Now, check out the list of athletes below and vote up your favorites for the most influential of all time. You can also vote athletes down, as well as add other sports icons to the list.
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233128Mike Tyson
Age: 54Birthplace: Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York City, New York, United States of America
Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who... more on Wikipedia2
290178Ole Einar Bjørndalen
Age: 46Birthplace: Drammen, Norway
Ole Einar Bjørndalen (born 27 January 1974) is a retired Norwegian professional biathlete,... more on Wikipedia3
343220Paavo Nurmi
Dec. at 76 (1897-1973)Birthplace: Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
Paavo Johannes Nurmi (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈpɑːʋo ˈnurmi] (listen); 13 June 1897 – 2... more on Wikipedia4
348225Alexander Karelin
Age: 53Birthplace: Novosibirsk, Russia
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Karelin (Russian: Александр Александрович Карелин; born 19 September... more on Wikipedia5
281174Ingemar Stenmark
Age: 64Birthplace: Joesjö, Sweden
Jan Ingemar Stenmark (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈɪŋː(ɛ)mar ²steːnmark]; born 18 March 1956 in... more on Wikipedia6
186101Jack Nicklaus
Age: 80Birthplace: Upper Arlington, Ohio, United States of America
Jack William Nicklaus, nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is a retired American professional golfer.... more on Wikipedia7
14067George Foreman
Age: 71Birthplace: Marshall, Texas, USA
George Edward Foreman (born January 10, 1949) is an American former professional boxer who... more on Wikipedia8
197117Bjørn Dæhlie
Age: 53Birthplace: Elverum, Norway
Bjørn Erlend Dæhlie (born 19 June 1967) is a Norwegian businessman and retired cross-country... more on Wikipedia9
256166Sonja Henie
Dec. at 57 (1912-1969)Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Sonja Henie (8 April 1912 – 12 October 1969) was a Norwegian figure skater and film star. She... more on Wikipedia10
12363Ronaldinho
Age: 40Birthplace: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (born 21 March 1980), commonly known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Brazilian... more on Wikipedia11
606465Wayne Gretzky
Age: 59Birthplace: Brantford, Canada
Wayne Douglas Gretzky (; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey... more on Wikipedia12
201129Boris Becker
Age: 52Birthplace: Leimen, Germany
Boris Franz Becker (German pronunciation: [ˈboːʁɪs ˈbɛkɐ]; born 22 November 1967) is a German... more on Wikipedia13
167101Annika Sörenstam
Age: 49Birthplace: Bro, Sweden, Sweden
Annika Sörenstam (pronounced [ˈanːɪka ²sœːrɛnˌstam] (listen); born 9 October 1970) is a... more on Wikipedia14
16198Maria Sharapova
Age: 33Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, IPA: [mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə... more on Wikipedia15
214145Marit Bjørgen
Age: 40Birthplace: Trondheim, Norway
Marit Bjørgen (born 21 March 1980) is a retired Norwegian cross-country skier. She is ranked... more on Wikipedia16
579462Kobe Bryant
Dec. at 41 (1978-2020)Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Kobe Bean Bryant (August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball... more on Wikipedia17
9649Johan Cruijff
Age: 73Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON (Dutch: [ˈjoːɦɑn ˈkrœyf] (listen), internationally spelled... more on Wikipedia18
13684Arne Borg
Dec. at 86 (1901-1987)Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Claes Arne Borg (18 August 1901 – 7 November 1987) was a Swedish swimmer. He is best known for... more on Wikipedia19
9044Miguel Indurain
Age: 56Birthplace: Navarre, Spain
Miguel Induráin Larraya (Spanish pronunciation: [miˈɣel induˈɾain laˈraʝa]; born 16 July 1964)... more on Wikipedia20
507413Steffi Graf
Age: 51Birthplace: Mannheim, Germany
Stefanie Maria "Steffi" Graf (German pronunciation: [ˈʃtɛfiː ˈɡʁaːf]; born 14 June 1969) is a... more on Wikipedia21
6927Ronaldo
Age: 44Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ronaldo is a Portuguese and Spanish equivalent of the name Ronald. Notable people known as... more on Wikipedia22
10861Oliver Kahn
Age: 51Birthplace: Karlsruhe, Germany
Oliver Rolf Kahn (German: [ˈɔlɪvɐ ˈkaːn]; born 15 June 1969) is a German former football... more on Wikipedia23
Ayrton Senna da Silva (Brazilian Portuguese: [aˈiʁtõ ˈsẽnɐ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ] (listen); 21 March 1960... more on Wikipedia8944Ayrton Senna
Dec. at 34 (1960-1994)24
13586Alexander Ovechkin
Age: 35Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin (Russian: Александр Михайлович Овечкин, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr... more on Wikipedia25
8340Florence Griffith Joyner
Dec. at 39 (1959-1998)Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner (born Florence Delorez Griffith; December 21, 1959 –... more on Wikipedia
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