ESPN The Magazine ranks the world's most beloved athletes using a proprietary formula. The Sports Analytics team at the company ranked 800 athletes using three factors that can influence fame: Google Trend Score, endorsement dollars and social network followers. In his piece for the magazine, senior writer Peter Keating explores why being famous isn't synonymous with being successful or liked. This list of the 100 most successful athletes worldwide will help you make an educated decision about your favorite sportsman.
Canelo
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is among the highest-paid athletes in the world. DAZN awarded him a $365 million contract for five years last year. His contract was one of the most significant in sports history. Alvarez (28 years old) has won five championships. Three of them were by knockout. He's also the highest-paid Mexican athlete and won the WBA regular super middleweight title.
Ledecky
The American swimmer, Katie Ledecky, has set the gold standard for female swimming and is arguably the best female athlete of all time. For almost a decade she has been competing on the international stage, winning an unprecedented 15 gold medals. Ledecky, in addition to her Olympic golds has five world records. She also won five World Championships. Ledecky is an Olympic gold medalist, and she will compete at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpe is a famous basketball player. He also founded a basketball school in Athens (Greece), where he teaches. The AntetokounBros academy was founded to help underprivileged children play basketball. This program is open to boys and girls aged between 12-16, as well young athletes who wish to coach.
Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe may be the most well-known and respected athlete in the world. Her activism in fighting for equal pay and racial equality has made her a household name. Rapinoe has been a subject of several articles including one in The New York Times about Rapinoe's impact on The CARES Act. Below are just some of her achievements for 2019.
Biles
After taking a post-Olympic break from the sport, Simone Biles was back on the scene in 2018. Her competitive rivals were removed and she sought out new coaches Laurent Landi, and Cecile Ländi to help her. Although it is not yet known how her new relationship will turn out, it's exciting to watch her grow. Biles also confirmed that she will be working with Val Kondos Field, former UCLA coach, as executive producer/supervising choreographer. She will also be using video screens and pyrotechnics as well as an in-house DJ.