This is our listing of the Top Pop Sports Icons. Our Pop Culture Criteria is based upon factors such as pop culture references, amount of viewing audience, event attendance, spawning of rematches, crossover into other genres and overall impression on our society.
This list includes mostly North American sporting events both amateur and professional.
Muhammed Ali (Cassius Clay)
Three-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the World 1964, 1967, 1974-1978, Won 1960 Olympic Gold medal as light heavyweight (Cassius Clay), 56-5 as heavyweight with 37 Knockouts, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 2005, carried Olympic Torch 1996, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated 38 times, Associated Press Athlete of the Year 1974.
A prototypical Pop Culture Icon, Muhammad Ali was known all around the world and remains one of the most recognizable people of all-time. He was self-proclaimed “The Greatest” boxer and had a truly prolific career that fueled his larger than life persona.
Michael Jordan
Six-time NBA champion 1991–1993 and 1996–1998, Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1998, 14-time NBA All-Star 1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002, 2003, 10-time “All-NBA” First Team 1987–1993 and 1996–1998, NCAA Champion 1982, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist 1984 & 1992, four- time Associated Press Athlete of the Year 1991, 1992 & 1993, Associated Press Athlete of the Decade 1990’s
Tiger Woods
15-time major championship winner, Masters 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019, U.S. Open 2000, 2002, 2008, The Open Championship 2000, 2005, 2006 and PGA Championship 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 82 PGA Tour wins (Tied 1st all time), 147 total wins worldwide, Member World Golf Hall of Fame, 2021, PGA Tour Rookie of the Year 1996, 11-time PGA Player of the Year 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, 10-time and all-time PGA Tour leading money winner 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, four-time Associated Press Athlete of the Year 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2006, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 2019
Tom Brady
Seven-time Super Bowl champion (Most all-time), five-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time NFL Most Valuable Player 2007 & 2010 and 2017, all-time leader in regular season wins, touchdown passes, fourth quarter comebacks, playoff wins, playoff touchdowns, playoff yards, Associated Press Athlete of the Year 2007, widely regarded as the Greatest of All-Time (GOAT)
LeBron James
Four-time NBA champion 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020, 17-time NBA All-Star, 2005–2021, four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013, 13-time “All NBA” First Team 2006, 2008–2018 and 2020, four- time Associated Press Athlete of the Year 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2020, Associated Press Athlete of the Decade 2010’s, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist 2008 & 2012,
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan Bodyslams Andre the Giant
Wrestlemania III, March 29, 1987
Joe Montana
Four-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time NFL Most Valuable Player 1989 & 1990, Associated Press Athlete of the Year 1989 & 1990
Wayne Gretsky
Stanley Cup Champion 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988, Hart Trophy (Regular Season MVP) 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989 (Most All-time), Conn Smythe Award, (Playoff MVP) 1985 & 1988All-time leader in Goals 1,072, Assists 2,223 and points 2,857, Game winning goals in Playoffs 24, held 61 separate NHL records at his retirement, Associated Press Athlete of the Year 1982, Associated Press Athlete of the Decade 1980’s
Known as “The Great One”
Serena Williams
23 Grand Slam singles Tournament winner (1st all-time in Open era, 2nd all-time) Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, French Open 2002, 2013, 2015, Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 14 Grand Slam doubles tournament winner Australian Open 2001, 2003, 2009, 2010, French Open 1999, 2010, Wimbledon 2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016, US Open 1999, 2009, 4 Grand Slam mixed-doubles tournament winner Australian Open 1999, French Open 1998, Wimbledon 1998 and US Open 1998, 73 career titles, 4 Olympic Gold Medals 2000 Sydney (doubles), 2008 Beijing (doubles), 2012 London (singles) and 2012 London (doubles), Associated Press Athlete of the Year 2002, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2018, Associated Press Athlete of the Decade 2010’s
Mike Tyson
Undisputed heavyweight champion of the World 1987-1990, 50-6 as heavyweight with 44 Knockouts, youngest Heavyweight Champion of all-time,
Arnold Palmer
7-time major championship winner, Masters 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, U.S. Open 1960, The Open Championship 1961, 1962 PGA Tour Wins, 5th all-time, PGA Tour Money leader 1958, 1960, 1962, 1963, PGA Player of Year 1960, 1962, 92 wins worldwide, Member World Golf Hall of Fame 1974 (inaugural inductee), Associated Press Athlete of the Decade 1960’s, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 2004, awarded Congressional Gold Medal 2009
Shaquille O’Neal
Four-time NBA champion 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, three-time NBA Finals MVP 2000, 2001, 2002, NBA Most Valuable Player 2000, 15-time NBA All-Star 1993–1998, 2000–2007, 2009, 1st pick overall of 1992 NBA draft, NBA Rookie of the Year 1993, Gold Medal 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Basketball Hall of Fame 2016
Jack Nicklaus
18-time major championship winner (most all-time), Masters Tournament 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986, PGA Championship 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980, U.S. Open 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980, The Open Championship 1966, 1970, 1978, 73 PGA Tour wins (3rd all-time), 117 total wins worldwide, Member World Golf Hall of Fame 1974 (inaugural member), PGA Tour Rookie of the Year 1962, 5-time PGA Player of the Year 1967, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 8-time and PGA Tour leading money winner 1964, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, Associated Press Athlete of the Decade 1970’s, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 2005, Congressional Medal of Freedom 2015
Magic Johnson
Bruce Jenner
Dorothy Hamel
Mia Hamm
Danica Patrick
Carl Lewis
John McKenroe
Martina Navratilova
Michael Phelps
Stefi Graf
Andre Aggassi
Marylou Retton
Roger Federer
Pele
Nancy Kerrigan
Billie-Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs
Bo Jackson
Heisman Trophy winner 1985, only professional athlete to be selected an “All-Star” in both Major League Baseball and the National Football League, college football Hall of Fame
Lindsey Vonn
Nadia Comaneci
Joe Namath Predicts Victory
Larry Bird
Pete Rose
O.J. Simpson
Lance Armstrong
This is our listing of the Top Pop Sports Icons. Our Pop Culture Criteria is based upon factors such as amount of viewers and attendance, spawning of rematches, crossover into other genres and overall impression on our society.
