Agassi is the biggest pop star in Tennis. And he got bigger than his accomplishments. So I think he qualifies. Sampras is better, but Agassi is the face of Tennis. Maybe McEnroe comes close. But he was disliked.
Muhammad Ali was once voted the most recognizable figure in the world. In my opinion, he should be #1 on that list...
Everybody knows who MJ is today even if you know nothing about sports, I'm not so sure about Babe Ruth. I mean theres alot of people who could careless about sports add to that The Babe has been dead for 50 + years, I'd think there are alot of people particulary among young people who dont know who Babe Ruth is. MJ passed him up IMO
As much of an icon as Babe Ruth is to the American culture, his sphere of influence is limited to his homeland, due to the fact that baseball (as well as what we call football and hockey) simply aren't played worldwide. In fact, those who actually care about the sport include only limited parts of North America (US, Canada to a lesser extent, Dominican Rep) and a very tiny corner of Asia (Japan and Taiwan). This is the reason that despite being a youngster and newcomer, there would be more people recognizing the name Yao Ming as supposed to Babe Ruth, as basketball is truly a sport with global reach. It's very hard to narrow down the list of greats in a top 10, but here are some of my thoughts (I won't bother completing it off the top of my head because I consider it beyond my abilities). In no particular order: - Pele (possibly Diego Maradona) - MJ - Ali - Nadia Comaneci (Gymnastics, despite myself hating the sport) I'm almost certain a top volleyball player would be here despite not being as popular in the US. Close to making the list would be Tiger and Carol Lewis. Future stars include Yao and Ian Thorpe.
If its world then Sachin Tendulkar definitely belongs on the top of that list. The dude is only 29 years old and holds most of the records in cricket.
Most of you guys are clueless. Muhammad Ali not being #1 is ridiculous. How is he not even on the original list? Walter Payton? Mickey Mantle? Larry Bird? Magic? Pitiful........
It really depends on how you define icon. An icon doesn't necessarily mean best in your sport or the most accomplished. Probably a combination of both as well as a lot of hype. I'd include Jackie Robinson on that list.
I third that notion No matter how you put it, America, world, most recognizable, best, controversial, etc, etc. Ali should be in the top three period.
