The top 5 "Household Names" in Pro Sports

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BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

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Dec 30, 2009 12:55 PM
OK, let's say you take a vacation to someplace in Eastern Europe (let's say Prague), and you ask every resident you meet to name their Top 5 World Athletes (incorporating both skill and popularity) over the past 25 years. Which 5 come up the most on their list?

My guess would be:

1. Tiger Woods
2. David Beckam
3. Michael Jordan
4. Mike Tyson
5. Michael Phelps

I am sure I am missing a bunch of famous soccer stars and other relevant "big names" ... what do you think?
Dec 30, 2009 12:55pm
R

rydawg5

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2,639 posts
Dec 30, 2009 12:58 PM
1. Michael Jordan
2. Tiger Woods
3. Shaq
4. Yao Ming
5. Manny Paquiouw (sp?)
Dec 30, 2009 12:58pm
september63's avatar

september63

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Dec 30, 2009 1:10 PM
If you cant spell it..............It doesnt belong on the list. To be that popular the spelling would be remembered?
Dec 30, 2009 1:10pm
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rydawg5

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Dec 30, 2009 1:13 PM
Or be from an area of the world with about a billion more people than the American stars.
Dec 30, 2009 1:13pm
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

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Dec 30, 2009 1:15 PM
1. Tiger Woods
2. Michael Jordan
3. Yao Ming
4. Shaquille O'Neal
5. Kobe Bryant
Dec 30, 2009 1:15pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

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Dec 30, 2009 1:18 PM
Michael Jordan
Lebron James
Kobe Bryant
Tiger Woods
David Beckham

I guarantee that there has been studies done on this, and with so many people in Asia we would have to figure our what sports they like and take that into consideration.
Dec 30, 2009 1:18pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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Dec 30, 2009 1:21 PM
Tiger Woods
Diego Maradona
Michael Jordan
Zinadine Zidane
Ronaldo (Brazil version)

Tiger and Jordan are the ONLY two athletes I think even come close to word popularity of the greatest soccer stars of the last 25 years.

Now, make a list of the last couple years and you may have an argument for others.
Dec 30, 2009 1:21pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

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Dec 30, 2009 1:24 PM
thedynasty1998 wrote: Article on this topic with interesting names:
http://www.kornheiserscartel.com/2009/02/10139.html
Cool link ... completely overlooked Ronaldinho, Bolt and Armstrong.
Dec 30, 2009 1:24pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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Dec 30, 2009 1:32 PM
thedynasty1998 wrote: Article on this topic with interesting names:
http://www.kornheiserscartel.com/2009/02/10139.html
yeah, see that is only over the last couple year (not the last 25). If we are going to go that route my list is a little different:

1. Tiger Woods
2. Ronaldhino
3. David Beckham
4. Leo Messi
5. Kaka, Yao Ming, Ronaldo (Portugal version).....MAYBE Thierry Henry (but he is a little bit past world domination).
Dec 30, 2009 1:32pm
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

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Dec 30, 2009 2:35 PM
Laley looks like he has the idea..

Though, I'd definitely give Jordan a spot.
Dec 30, 2009 2:35pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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Dec 30, 2009 3:27 PM
LTrain23 wrote: Laley looks like he has the idea..

Though, I'd definitely give Jordan a spot.
haha, I forgot Jordan in that list. I didnt mean to take him or Tiger off. Jordan would however be down to 5 in the new list. Its been about 8 years since the world has seen him constantly.
Dec 30, 2009 3:27pm
killdeer's avatar

killdeer

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Dec 30, 2009 3:55 PM
gotta put Mohammad Ali on the list.

although he may not meet your 25 year window, I bet the average European would name him a number of times, (though not active athletically), as a cultural icon, which is really your question...
Dec 30, 2009 3:55pm
End of Line's avatar

End of Line

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Dec 30, 2009 6:51 PM
1. Tiger Woods
2. Michael Jordan
3. Lebron James
4. Wayne Gretzky
5. Ronaldinho
Dec 30, 2009 6:51pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

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Dec 30, 2009 7:24 PM
I think this list should be limited to Americans only, because if not, then all the wordly household names are going to be soccer players.
Dec 30, 2009 7:24pm
2kool4skool's avatar

2kool4skool

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Dec 31, 2009 6:49 PM
I'm just going present day, because it's hard to define who's more popular comparing across decades.

1. Woods
2. Beckham
3. Ronaldinho
4. Yao
5. Bolt

If we're going Americans only
1. Woods
2. Lebron
3. Kobe
4. Shaq
5. Lance Armstrong
Dec 31, 2009 6:49pm
D

DaBrowns41

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Dec 31, 2009 6:50 PM
Pele was worlds better than Beckham.
Dec 31, 2009 6:50pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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Dec 31, 2009 7:26 PM
DaBrowns41 wrote: Pele was worlds better than Beckham.
No one said he wasnt lol. But he isnt nearly as recognizable as Beckham over the last 25 yrs/today.

Diego Maradona is the only one who is on Beckhams level from past generations (and he was like 20 years ago...
Dec 31, 2009 7:26pm
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DaBrowns41

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Dec 31, 2009 7:40 PM
Laley23 wrote:
DaBrowns41 wrote: Pele was worlds better than Beckham.
No one said he wasnt lol. But he isnt nearly as recognizable as Beckham over the last 25 yrs/today.

Diego Maradona is the only one who is on Beckhams level from past generations (and he was like 20 years ago...
Are you kidding?

When you think of soccer, the first name you think of is Pele, because you think Brazil immediately.
Dec 31, 2009 7:40pm