100 Most Famous Athletes in the World

This guy at ESPN came up with a methodology and here are his results.

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/15685581/espn-world-fame-100


And now this is the part where we talk about how terrible his list is. I'll start the show:

Check out these entries:
8. Virat Kohli
9. James Rodriguez

If these guys were that famous I feel like I should have at least heard of them or know what sport they play. I haven't and I don't. Thus, list = terrible.

Let's start by getting Novak Djokovic in the top 10. And Floyd Mayweather too. Then it would suck less.

 

If Manning isn't number one I may have to break down crying and put on an REM hit song.

 

Put on some makeup and go with Sarah Machlachlan (sp?).

 

Not a bad Top 10.

 

Rodriguez was arguably the best player in the world's biggest event. Kind of hard to miss him.

 

While the methodology is flawed, you can't be surprised to see so many soccer players.

Really the players who are too high on the list are the cricket players. They're extremely popular in one heavily populated country.

Durant also seems way too high.

 

Surprised Alvarez is at 84.

 

I feel like Kobe should be higher. Based on skill, not really but based on fame, definitely.

 

Also, Steph Curry has to be ahead of D-Rose at this point. And Brees over Brady? Nah

 

Yeah, but everyone knows he is exiting stage left. That cuts your possibility.

 

Zlatan only 6 spots ahead of Falcao???

 

Zlatan is 1-100 on his own list

 

Amare Stoudemire?

 

Kohli is the best right arm medium bowler in the world, get your head out of your ass.

 

Cricket makes about as much sense as women

 

Rudy Gay? Haha

 

El oh el oh el oh el.

 

Two things:

1. There is a methodology. This isn't an opinion. It's based on something that can be measured and replicated.

2. Any methodology can have a weakness or blind spot. It is what it is.

Saying this is a stupid list is kind of stupid, without providing a better methodology than "I, individual American, disagree with this WORLD RANKING based off of internet searches.

 

I think Twitter followers and Facebook likes are not the best methodology since much of that has to do with the athlete giving a shit about it or being the biggest dbag rather than popularity.

 

I agree with some of that, but I think the list is pretty solid.