5 most iconic athletes of the last 15 years

[Jax]

Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Tiger Woods
David Beckham
Lionel Messi

Messi negro? beckahm?
Ronaldo for a decade been inspiring kids to do his tricks and shyt. Nobody said Schumacher doe?

 

[IllmaticDelta]

@IllmaticDelta ain't playing

Gotta keep these Kobe stans/LBJ haters in check

 

[malbaker86]

Gotta keep these Kobe stans/LBJ haters in check

made @CantStop fall all the way back

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Are we talking world-wide? Because then:

- Kobe
- Messi/Ronaldhino/Beckham
- Bolt
- Serena Williams
- Federer

Lebron has been at top only since he won the title, like in 2012, and STILL non-basketball fans don't really know him. Hell actually MJ is STILL more iconic than both.
Outside of the US only bball fans know (and love) Iverson, and no one cares about NFL/MLB or other US sports.

If the list is iconic in the US then don't mind me

Lebron is bigger than everyone on that list with only a soccer player having any chance outside of the USA to be bigger.

The World Cup Reminds Everyone That Soccer Players Are The Most Popular Athletes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/25/most-popular-athletes-twitter-soccer_n_5505809.html

where Kobe at?

 

[IllmaticDelta]

To Kobe's and LBJ's popularity in perspective.

This is after lebron made his first "Decision" (2010)

Kobe Bryant is still more unlikable than LeBron James

For a long time, people loved LeBron James. Totally loved him in a non-platonic way (for the most part). At the same time, Kobe Bryant has been one of the most hated players in the NBA for the past few seasons. But it is funny how a summer can change things.

Now, after LeBron's decision and "The Decision," more and more people dislike LeBron James. Whether they think he's a coward, a jerk or just has a bad beard, the LeBron James train has less and less people enjoying its complimentary peanuts. And while LeBron has been busy making people angry, Kobe has been enjoying a great run that has seen him win an Olympic gold medal and two straight titles while staying out of headlines for anything bad. The tables have turned.

[Photos: See NBA star LeBron James in action]

Or so you'd think. But according to Q Scores revealed by CNBC's Darren Rovell, some things will never change.

In January 2010, The Q Scores Company took a poll of the general population and found that 24 percent of people thought of James in a positive light, compared to a 22 percent negative opinion.

Henry Schafer, executive vice president of the company, told CNBC that the average sports personality has a 15 percent positive score and a 24 percent negative score.

"LeBron's positive score at that time was the highest we had ever seen it," Schafer said.

But since "The Decision" show on July 8, things have gone seriously downhill for the NBA star.

LeBron's Q Score today?

Schafer says that now only 14 percent of the general population see him as a positive figure, a 41.6 percent drop, while 39 percent view him in a negative light, a 77 percent decline.

In fact, LeBron is now the sixth most disliked sports personality, according to The Q Score Company, behind Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Kobe Bryant.

[Rewind: Did LeBron James really hurt his brand?]

It's close, and actually Kobe is more well-liked — according to Steven Levitt at Q Scores, Kobe's positive score of 16 and negative score of 40 are close to LeBron's scores of 14 and 39 — but people still dislike Kobe more than LeBron. All is right with the world and nothing has changed. Well, except that a whole lot of people dislike LeBron James right now. That part has changed, for sure.

[Photos: See NBA star Kobe Bryant on and off the court]

Not to mention, the extent to which people dislike LeBron James is kind of amazing. They dislike him so much that it's affecting how much they like his new teammates. As Rovell notes, both Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have seen their positive scores fall and their negative scores rise. Makes sense, and it's good to see that LeBron is already changing the culture of basketball in Miami.

On the other hand, after a great two year run, this proves that there's really nothing Kobe Bryant can do that will make him well-liked to fans. It doesn't seem like he minds that, at all, but it's still interesting that changing teams like LeBron did kills his popularity while becoming one of the biggest winners in the NBA has had no effect on most people's view of Kobe. I don't think that's a problem for the Mamba, but I do think that's a problem for LeBron and it might be tough for him to realize that championships don't equal adulation.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...ll-more-unlikable-than-LeBron-?urn=nba-269606

now to 2013

Kobe Bryant, World Peace among top 10 disliked athletes

Kobe Bryant, World Peace among top 10 disliked athletes
By Matt Moore | NBA writer
February 6, 2013 11:12 am ET

It's funny, because we are disliked and yet play for the most popular team on the planet. (Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant and Metta World Peace made the list of the top 10 most-disliked athletes in the world, according to the N-score measure taken yearly by Nielsen and E-Poll, via Forbes.com. The poll is limited to active athletes.

MWP came in with just 21 percent of the public's support, landing sixth on the list. Bryant came in with 27 percent, at No. 10. They are the only two NBA players on the list, which is headlined by Manti Te'o and Lance Armstrong, along with such athletes as Tiger Woods, Michael Vick, Kurt Busch, and Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Notably absent from the list?

LeBron James.

James spent the past two years on the list after "The Decision," but after his public image makeover, which featured a new publicist, an NBA title run, and an Olympic gold medal, it would appear the public has forgiven him for his numerous PR gaffes. Winning helps, as well.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...-among-top-ten-most-disliked-athletes-in-poll

 

[IllmaticDelta]

whereas LBJ is retuning to pre-Decison glory/love even before he made his 2nd "Decision" to retrun to the Cavs. How many NBA players have been able to displace Jordan on the most popular male athlete poll?


2013-2014

Poll: LeBron James Passes Michael Jordan As Most Popular Male Athlete

LeBron James can say, for at least the next year, that he has overtaken Michael Jordan. James was the most popular American male athlete in a recent Harris Poll, according to ESPN.com. Findings were based on a representative sample of 2,241 people polled last month, and Jordan topped the list last year. This is the first time that James — who recently signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers — took the top spot as America’s most popular male athlete. The polling actually was done before James and the Miami Heat lost in the NBA Finals and before James decided to return to Cleveland as a free agent. James fell out of the top 10 the last time he was a free agent, as his “Decision” soured some public opinion of him. Here’s the rest of the top five for male athletes. 1. LeBron James 2. Michael Jordan 3. Derek Jeter 4. Peyton Manning 5t. Kobe Bryant/Dale Earnhardt Jr. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady checked in at No. 7 on the list. Tennis star Serena Williams topped the list of female athletes, followed by NASCAR driver Danica Patrick at No. 2.

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2014/07/poll-lebron-james-overtakes-michael-jordan-as-most-popular-male-athlete/

 

[mbewane]

Lebron is bigger than everyone on that list with only a soccer player having any chance outside of the USA to be bigger.




http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/25/most-popular-athletes-twitter-soccer_n_5505809.html

where Kobe at?

Brehs...Lebron ain't THAT big, he's big in the US (of course) and in China (as the pics have proven, we all know Nike and the NBA are making a conscious effort towards China). Hell he's not even that big in Europe breh. And are you seriously putting up Twitter followers as a measure of popularity? By your logic Gerard Piqué is more iconic than Shaq

Again, I'm talking internationally, I've never seen an ad with Lebron anywhere, whereas you have ads with those other people in random magazines, TV, etc.

 

[R=G]

Are we talking world-wide? Because then:

- Kobe
- Messi/Ronaldhino/Beckham
- Bolt
- Serena Williams
- Federer

Lebron has been at top only since he won the title, like in 2012, and STILL non-basketball fans don't really know him. Hell actually MJ is STILL more iconic than both.
Outside of the US only bball fans know (and love) Iverson, and no one cares about NFL/MLB or other US sports.

If the list is iconic in the US then don't mind me

Lol..wow

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Brehs...Lebron ain't THAT big, he's big in the US (of course) and in China (as the pics have proven, we all know Nike and the NBA are making a conscious effort towards China). Hell he's not even that big in Europe breh. And are you seriously putting up Twitter followers as a measure of popularity?

Im using/talking any measure that rates popularity and global appeal

By your logic Gerard Piqué is more iconic than Shaq

Again, I'm talking internationally, I've never seen an ad with Lebron anywhere, whereas you have ads with those other people in random magazines, TV, etc.

I've posted numerous links on how big/global lebron is and they all have Lebron blowing Kobe away

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Forbes: LeBron James has most valuable athlete brand in sports

LeBron James is worth a lot of money.

We all knew that, but Forbes Magazine wants you to know it’s A LOT of money. Forbes released “The Forbes Fab 40: The Most Valuable Sports Brands of 2014,” a list that has Nike at the top. Which makes sense.

But when you get to athlete’s personal brands, LeBron has moved to the top of the list, past Tiger Woods.

This year the top spot belongs to LeBron James, who will be rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers after fours season and two NBA titles with the Miami Heat. James pulled in $53 million off the court during the past year and his brand is worth $37 million, which is the amount his endorsement and non-basketball earnings exceeded the average of the top 10 off the court earners in the NBA.

LeBron’s return to Cleveland is going to jack that up even further — his approval ratings have gone up, which is good for the brand and good for sponsorship. This number is likely on the low end.

But sure, he needs to do away with the max contract limits.

Here’s your full list of the top athlete brand values from Forbes (check out the story for the team brands, company brands and event brands):

1. LeBron James ($37 million)
2. Tiger Woods ($36 million)
3. Roger Federer ($32 million)
4. Phil Mickelson ($29 million)
5. Mahendra Singh Dhoni ($20 million)
6. Usain Bolt ($19 million)
7. Cristiano Ronaldo ($17 million)
8. Kobe Bryant ($15 million)
9. Lionel Messi ($12 million)
10. Rafael Nadal ($10 million)

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....es-has-most-valuable-athlete-brand-in-sports/

Lebron beating out Kobe again

 

[mbewane]

Im using/talking any measure that rates popularity and global appeal





I've post numerous links on how big/global lebron is and they all have Lebron blowing Kobe away

I just don't see it in real life breh

Anyway thread is over the last 15 years, IF Bron has surpassed Kobe it's only since 2012 imo. Again, I NEVER see anything Lebron-related in general media. And let's not even talk about soccer players, no way Lebron is more iconic worldwide than a Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Random people in Spain or Senegal aren't staying up for the NBA Finals breh of course it's different in the US, I understand that.

 

[IllmaticDelta]

I just don't see it in real life breh

Anyway thread is over the last 15 years, IF Bron has surpassed Kobe it's only since 2012 imo. Again, NEVER see anything Lebron-related in general media.

You can't be serious

And let's not even talk about soccer players, no way Lebron is more iconic worldwide than a
Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Random people in Spain or Senegal aren't staying up for the NBA Finals breh of course it's different in the US, I understand that.

Put it this way. Lebron or popular NBA players have a better chance of drawing a large crowd overseas than internat Soccer players would in the USA. I've already posted the links talking about athletes on a GLOBAL/WORLD RANKING level.

This is 2012

LeBron James' market share (2012/2013)

Didn't see much of LeBron during commercial timeouts? That's by design

There's no limit to the number of people who'll be stalking LeBron James now: the Fortune 100 companies, the moguls seeking relationships, the cutting-edge entrepreneurs who want to publicize their products or services and, in return, make themselves and LeBron even richer and more famous than they already are.

He's the undisputed king of basketball, worldwide, which spikes his global appeal in a way pro football players -- whose popularity is confined to America's shores -- don't dare dream. And this second championship victory, coming against a team as revered by the purists as the San Antonio Spurs, puts LeBron in rarefied air. It further shushes the noise from people still angry over "The Decision" and squashes the skepticism about how great he is as a basketball player. One NBA championship is a wonderful thing, something that eluded Hall of Famers as accomplished as Charles Barkley and John Stockton. Two championships puts LeBron dead-even with the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Hakeem Olajuwon and -- even though LeBron is not yet 29 years old -- threatens to move him into the conversation with Larry Bird and, perhaps down the line, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

Even before this second NBA championship, LeBron's marketing strategists had completely redefined the dynamic between a sponsor and celebrity endorser, at least in the realm of the iconic athlete. The topic comes up not only because LeBron's second title leads us to look at his immediate future, on and off the court, but also because the perception in some quarters is that he had a relatively low commercial profile on television during the playoffs.

In this day and age, the bottom line means strengthening the brand, which may trump any other measurement in popular culture. And not many brands are as high profile as LeBron's these days, even though he still has his critics. With Forbes reporting LeBron's endorsement income at $42 million last year, he trails only Tiger Woods, Roger Federer ($65 million each) and Phil Mickelson ($44 million) in that category. But Forbes also reports that his second NBA title will probably mean a $5 million to $7 million increase in endorsement income in 2013 (and that estimate could be conservative given that NBA 2K14 is going to be LeBron's first video game cover). You wonder how much Peyton Manning's endorsement portfolio is worth? It was estimated by Forbes to be $12 million last year. Drew Brees: $11 million. Aaron Rodgers: $6 million. Usain Bolt: $24 million.

One recent Sunday during an ABC doubleheader, my colleague Magic Johnson said he was surprised that LeBron was in so few television commercials. Fewer obviously than Blake Griffin, whose charming Kia spots seemed to run during every timeout of every game, and fewer than Chris Paul, whose "Cliff and Chris" State Farm commercials were omnipresent as well. LeBron's face didn't pop up as often as Kevin Durant's and Dwyane Wade's in their awake-from-a-nightmare Gatorade spot or even as many times as Shaq's for Buick. LeBron's new "Beats" ad had not yet run at the time, and it prompted Magic to say aloud that he couldn't understand why a four-time MVP and reigning NBA champion was on less often than lesser players. Quite frankly, as someone the same age as Magic, who defines the world through television and not social media, I wondered the same thing. And if you think players' endorsement portfolios are irrelevant, you'd be unspeakably naïve considering the time and attention devoted to them.

That prompted an ongoing dialogue with some of the people who orchestrate and oversee LeBron's marketing/branding as to how different the advertising world is now than it was for, say, Magic and Michael Jordan when they were setting the athlete endorsement standard 25 to 30 years ago.

As someone in LeBron's strategizing group told me recently, "It's the next level of involvement. It's not just your face on a product. It's an increasingly complex business relationship."

And it doesn't involve only television, not with so many companies wanting to reach younger consumers who aren't as TV dependent as the generation of consumers fascinated with Julius Erving, Magic, Bird and Jordan were. After a self-imposed social media blackout during the playoffs, his first celebratory post was an Instagram video, which ran the day after Instagram's new video feature was released. Some of LeBron's sponsors will debut an ad exclusively on his Facebook page to get an exact handle on how much "sharing" is taking place. The sporting goods store Champs has a strictly digital relationship with LeBron, meaning access to his Facebook page that has 14.4 million followers, and his website. No television commercials, no print ads, by design.


Yet, readers of "The Old Gray Lady" have also opened their New York Times to Page 2 of the A section to see a black-and-white ad of LeBron wearing an Audemars Piguet, the high-end Swiss watch previously styled by the likes of tennis players, international soccer icons and race car drivers. He's wearing a tux, and in an ad planned for the not-too-distant future, LeBron will be wearing a Piguet watch he helped design


There are also ads we couldn't possibly see sitting in the Los Angeles studio or even on a sofa in South Florida. LeBron has a Dunkin' Donuts campaign that appears only in China, Taiwan and the Philippines. Clearly there's not a whole lot of resentment in Asia over "The Decision" or LeBron hooking up with D-Wade and Chris Bosh. LeBron has visited China every year since 2004 to increasingly popular reviews. In China alone, he has deals with Sprite, Nike, Dunkin' Donuts and Beats by Dre headphones. According to a person with knowledge of the product moves, LeBron sells as much product in China as he does in the U.S.

And don't forget the basics, either: The LeBron line was responsible for $300 million of Nike shoe sales in the U.S. in 2012, up 50 percent from 2011 (even without a shoe campaign).

"It's not an 1980s-1990s construct," a person familiar with the strategy told me. "There is a mix. There are traditional relationships, like with McDonalds. … And there are less traditional or nontraditional relationships, like with Beats. The number of times an ad runs on television is no longer the end-all. … It's an entirely new world because of all the technologies and social media."

The "Beats by Dre" commercial, which began running late in the playoffs and through the NBA Finals, is traditional in that it's a television ad, but is not traditional in a number of other ways. For starters, LeBron essentially came up with the idea and designed the company's first pair of "sport" headphones. Beyond that, he picked the director for the shoot, selected the music and has a financial stake in the product.

It's not quite the same as Kia signing Griffin to an endorsement deal. LeBron's relationship with Beats is as radically different an arrangement as it was nearly 30 years ago when Michael Jordan said, "I'm going to have my own line of shoes," and a great many folks thought Nike executives had lost their minds.

Yet, there's no risk in terms of the strategy. Forbes reports that LeBron is the highest-ranked athlete in the world and 23rd overall in terms of his "web rank," meaning he's ahead of Tiger, David Beckham, Kobe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and, for that matter, Tom Cruise and Reese Witherspoon. Forbes ranks LeBron 15th in celebrity power, behind people like Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey and Justin Bieber, but ahead of every athlete except Tiger.

So, we went from discussing why LeBron wasn't on television as often as Paul or Griffin to wondering how much exposure, globally, could be too much.

"We're clearly concerned about oversaturation," one person involved in LeBron strategizing said. "Simply by saying something he can control the news for three days. And [companies] are thinking, 'OK, what's the value of that?' It's a different paradigm than 'How many commercials can you do?'"

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9420455/lebron-james-market-share

 

[IllmaticDelta]

made @CantStop fall all the way back

 

[Lakers Offseason]

No one gives a shyt about boxing. Same with soccer here in the US. And Serena? Just nikkas that love big booties think she's iconic.

Football is the unquestioned #1 sport for the past decade. Baseball hasn't had an iconic players since Bonds.

List is

Tiger
Kobe
Peyton
Brady
Lebron

 

[superunknown23]

Sorry, but Kobe is no icon