The Power of Influential Sports Figures

You can count points. You can count wins. You can even count gold medals. But influence? That is something you feel. In a movement. In a mindset. In a moment that changes someone’s life forever. True influence leaves a mark on people, things, and cultures. It can change how people think, act, and even how they live. Influence is Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier and changing the course of a civil rights movement. It's Muhammad Ali standing firm in his convictions - sacrificing years of his prime athletic career to speak out about injustice across the globe. Influence is Seabiscuit during the Great Depression. During a time of hardship, Seabiscuit gave the world hope and resilience. Influence is the ripple effect of a high school athlete who trains harder, speaks kinder, and dreams bigger because they saw someone come before them and do it first. It's an impact that goes deeper than what may can be seen on the outside. 

Influence doesn't always come with a celebration. Sometimes it is criticized, questioned, and even ignored. That truth became clear to me while scanning a list of Time’s Top 100 Most Influential People of 2024. One name missing from that list sparked this article. No, she doesn't need another headline, but it made me really reconsider how we define influence at all. This isn't about one omission to a random list. It's about all the ways sports shape our world that we live in. 

An athlete's platform has never been bigger than it is today. For obvious reasons. Social media and technology have given people the ability to connect with millions in seconds. With every photo taken, every tweet posted, every press conference, and every action on or off the court, their words carry weight. It's fair to say their influence often outweighs that of elected officials or traditional world leaders. We live in a culture dominated by highlights and headline news. Athletes today are more than just competitors. They are influencers, educators, role models, and symbols of what’s possible in the world.

LeBron James didn’t just return to Cleveland. He returned with a vision to give back and launched a public school to serve at-risk youth. Pat Tillman gave up the chance to build a career in the NFL to serve in the military, ultimately sacrificing his life for his country and our freedom. Jesse Owens traveled to Nazi Germany during Hitler’s reign and won four Olympic gold medals to defy racism on the world’s biggest stage. Billie Jean King helped break gender barriers, not only by defeating Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes”, but by being a driving force behind the passing of Title IX. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar boycotted the 1968 Olympics by joining a growing civil rights movement. Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and racial injustice. Whether or not you agree with the stance taken in any of these moments, they are more than sports moments. They are global, human stances that force us to really think about the impact of athletes.

The power of a platform means that an athlete’s reach extends far beyond the boundaries of the field or court. What they say—and what they choose not to say—matters. Whether it’s Simone Biles or Naomi Osaka stepping away to protect their mental health, or Barry Bonds testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, the ripple effect stretches across locker room and households. Their visibility gives them power. How they choose to use it? That’s where influence comes into play. 

The Great Unifier

In a world often divided by countless number of reasons (race, socioeconomic class, ideology, or politics), sports offer a rare kind of unity that is raw and unscripted. In the arena, people don’t ask where you come from or what you believe. They only care if you care. Care about their team. The game. The moment. When something magical happens—a walk-off home run, a buzzer beater, a gold medal—the boundaries that normally separate us fade away. Sometimes only for a moment, but in that moment, love and unity exist. It brings us together in a way that nothing else can. That is the power of sports. Strangers become families. Families become communities.

In 2013, after the bombing at the Boston Marathon, the city of Boston rallied behind its teams. And so did their rivals. When the New York Yankees played their next home game, they honored Boston with a moment of silence and played the Red Sox anthem “Sweet Caroline” in Yankee Stadium. For two of the most bitter rivals in all of sports, the scoreboard didn’t matter. Humanity did. Baseball became a bridge, not a barrier.

Look back on the days following 9/11, when sports resumed in America. Stadiums, sports bars, and living rooms became places of healing. Fans who once wore opposing colors stood united, waving the red, white, and blue. When Mike Piazza launched a home run deep into the New York night, it was more than just a win for the Mets. It was a breath of hope for a city needing joy. Sports don’t fix what is broken, but they give people permission to smile again. To feel again. To have hope.

From small towns on Friday nights to Super Bowl Sundays, from Olympic opening ceremonies to Game 7 of the World Series, sports speak a universal language. They remind us that regardless of who we are or where we come from, we are part of something bigger. In a world constantly trying to divide us, sports still offer a reason to stand together.

Influence Within vs Beyond

Influence wears many jerseys. Some athletes have the ability to change the game itself—how it’s played, how it’s coached, how it’s watched. Others have the power to change the world around the game. Using their platforms, they can spark movements, initiate conversations like this one, and represent something far bigger than a scoreboard ever could.

Influence can be generational. Tiger Woods revolutionized golf on a global scale, changing not just who played, but how the game was marketed and viewed. Steph Curry reshaped the entire strategy and landscape of basketball. He redefined using the 3-point shot as the focal points of an offense at every level, even trickling down to youth leagues. Caitlin Clark has done something similar on the women’s side, redefining visibility, crowd engagement, and how the next generation sees what’s possible in women’s sports. These athletes don’t just dominate their sport, they transform how their games are played and perceived.

But then there’s another kind of influence. One that exists beyond the game. Ali refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War. Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers wasn’t just a baseball milestone. It was a cultural turning point in American history. Their impact didn’t come from statistics. It came from sacrifice.

Both types of influence matter. Both leave a mark. But they’re not always seen the same way. They don’t always get celebrated equally. Sometimes, the most important “highlight” moments receive the harshest backlash. Cultural influence rarely comes with trophies or banners. But more often than not, it’s the kind that lasts the longest and matters the most.

Top Five Most Influential Sports Figures of All-Time

1. Jackie Robinson

Robinson didn’t just break the color barrier in baseball, he shattered it with dignity and quiet courage. When he debuted in 1947, it was a moment in the Civil Rights history that would impact more than just baseball. Enduring endless racism and threats during his career, he never retaliate with hate. His impact and influence opened the door for generations of African American athletes and helped how America saw race and equality. His number 42 is retired for every MLB team for a reason. Influence doesn’t get more foundational than Jackie. 

2. Muhammad Ali

Ali was The Greatest in the ring. But he was more than just that. He used his platform at the peak of his career to speak out about his opposition of the Vietnam War, racial injustice, and religious freedom. Because of his actions to stand up for his beliefs and convictions, he forego titles, income, and some of the prime of his career. In return, he became a global symbol of faith and power through principles. Ali showed everyone that there is more to being The Greatest. He showed us the power to stand up for something greater than ourselves. 

3. Michael Jordan

MJ gave the world a lot to digest. He gave the world a Super Star. He elevated greatness to a level that has been unmatched since. He was both the greatest player in his era and the face of sports globally. When people see #23, he is the first name spoken. When people hear “Like Mike”, they make an association to unfathomable work ethics and killer instincts. Jordan was able to inspire every age and generation simply by being himself and playing the game of basketball. His influence has shaped how people dream and strive to be the best. 

4. Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark has redefined the landscape of women’s sports and reignited hope for female athletes everywhere. Like Michael Jordan, she is a once-in-a-generation talent. But her influence may prove even more far-reaching. She hasn’t just broken viewership records or sold out arenas; she’s inspired a new generation to dream bigger. Clark has made women’s athletics undeniably relevant, drawing national attention not just to women’s basketball, but to sports across the board including the NWSL and the Women’s College World Series. She’s changed how people talk about female athletes, shifting the conversation toward equity and respect in sports. Her influence is powerful, transformative, and perhaps most exciting of all, just getting started. 

5. LeBron James

LeBron James has lived under the spotlight since high school and somehow managed to exceed the hype. But his influence goes well beyond basketball. From founding the I PROMISE School in Akron to being an outspoken advocate for racial and social justice, LeBron has used his platform intentionally and consistently. Even when the topic centers around topics that we may not want to hear, he’s shown what it means to be a global icon. He’s changed how athletes think about legacy. Like him or not, he has been able to do all of this while morally and ethically showing professionalism at the highest level. 

Honorable Mentions

• Hank Aaron

Hammerin’ Hank is the real Home Run King. That is undisputed. But the way he carried himself during times of racism makes his influence something to give credit for. He never wanted the spotlight, but his imprint he left on the world is one that we should all be thankful for. 

• Michael Phelps

With 23 Olympic Gold Medals, Phelps is a figure of excellence for USA. Phelps was also one of the original athletes who spoke up openly about the struggle with mental health struggles. His courage could be credited to athletes today such as Simone Biles for having the courage and ability to step away when she was struggling.

• Billie Jean King

Would Caitlin Clark be able to use her platform to influence the world if Billie Jean King had not taken the stand and beat Riggs? Would Title 9 have been able to push through? We may never know the answer to those questions, but the courage that King showed is impactful in her own right. Her influence to not be afraid of a challenge and to take risk is something that we could say leaves generational influence. 

• Tiger Woods

In the world of golf, Tiger will always be the first athlete people think of. He dominated the sport and transformed it. His presence brought a global audience to the game. Even during his career with personal and professional setbacks, Tiger still remains one of the most polarized sports figures. Good or bad, Tiger has impact and his influence still lingers to this day.