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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231131Mike 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... more2
287181Ole Einar Bjørndalen
Age: 46Birthplace: Drammen, Norway
Ole Einar Bjørndalen (born 27 January 1974) is a retired Norwegian professional biathlete,... more3
339222Paavo 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... more4
279176Ingemar Stenmark
Age: 64Birthplace: Joesjö, Sweden
Jan Ingemar Stenmark (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈɪŋː(ɛ)mar ²steːnmark]; born 18 March 1956 in... more5
344228Alexander Karelin
Age: 53Birthplace: Novosibirsk, Russia
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Karelin (Russian: Александр Александрович Карелин; born 19 September... more6
14068George Foreman
Age: 71Birthplace: Marshall, Texas, USA
George Edward Foreman (born January 10, 1949) is an American former professional boxer who... more7
185105Jack Nicklaus
Age: 80Birthplace: Upper Arlington, Ohio, United States of America
Jack William Nicklaus, nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is a retired American professional golfer.... more8
595441Wayne Gretzky
Age: 59Birthplace: Brantford, Canada
Wayne Douglas Gretzky (; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey... more9
194118Bjørn Dæhlie
Age: 53Birthplace: Elverum, Norway
Bjørn Erlend Dæhlie (born 19 June 1967) is a Norwegian businessman and retired cross-country... more10
253166Sonja 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... more11
12464Ronaldinho
Age: 40Birthplace: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (born 21 March 1980), commonly known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Brazilian... more12
15996Maria Sharapova
Age: 33Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, IPA: [mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə... more13
165102Annika Sörenstam
Age: 49Birthplace: Bro, Sweden, Sweden
Annika Sörenstam (pronounced [ˈanːɪka ²sœːrɛnˌstam] (listen); born 9 October 1970) is a... more14
198131Boris Becker
Age: 52Birthplace: Leimen, Germany
Boris Franz Becker (German pronunciation: [ˈboːʁɪs ˈbɛkɐ]; born 22 November 1967) is a German... more15
212144Marit Bjørgen
Age: 40Birthplace: Trondheim, Norway
Marit Bjørgen (born 21 March 1980) is a retired Norwegian cross-country skier. She is ranked... more16
9748Johan Cruijff
Age: 73Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON (Dutch: [ˈjoːɦɑn ˈkrœyf] (listen), internationally spelled... more17
502403Larry Bird
Age: 63Birthplace: West Baden Springs, French Lick Township, Indiana, United States of America
Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player,... more18
489393Steffi Graf
Age: 51Birthplace: Mannheim, Germany
Stefanie Maria "Steffi" Graf (German pronunciation: [ˈʃtɛfiː ˈɡʁaːf]; born 14 June 1969) is a... more19
7732Mika Häkkinen
Age: 52Birthplace: Vantaa, Finland
Mika Pauli Häkkinen (Finnish: [ˈmikɑ ˈhækːinen] (listen); born 28 September 1968), nicknamed... more20
535434Kobe 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... more21
484390Babe Ruth
Dec. at 53 (1895-1948)Birthplace: Pigtown, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American... more22
13583Arne 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... more23
7027Ronaldo
Age: 44Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ronaldo is a Portuguese and Spanish equivalent of the name Ronald. Notable people known as... more24
9043Miguel Indurain
Age: 56Birthplace: Navarre, Spain
Miguel Induráin Larraya (Spanish pronunciation: [miˈɣel induˈɾain laˈraʝa]; born 16 July 1964)... more25
8944Ayrton Senna
Dec. at 34 (1960-1994)Ayrton Senna da Silva (Brazilian Portuguese: [aˈiʁtõ ˈsẽnɐ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ] (listen); 21 March 1960... more
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