Athletes that all of Public knows

[marque1d]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I dont like this answer but either Jeff Gordon and maybe even Dale Earnhardt jr. are on that short list. I think nationally a lot of people know who Beckham or Schumacher are, but they act to elitist to admit it.

also though I have my doubts about how well known Favre is, after he leaves; is there a current player in the NFL that everyone would know. Im not being a homer but if anyone were ever to do it, it would be TO. And maybe him having a monster season and even a super bowl with "America's Team" will help. Seriously name a defensive player that most of the country would know, now name a RB. IMO Vic is bigger than Brady and Manning. The NFL really doesnt have anyone that lines up with a Jordan, Shaq, Kobe or Bonds. And without Kobe and Bonds scandals, they wouldnt make the list. I think Woods too but come one its golf and b4 him THERE WAS NO HOUSEHOLD NAME IN THAT SPORT, PERIOD. Also add Tyson to that list.

[pk500]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Jeff Gordon
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Danica Patrick

Even if you don't like or know NASCAR, Gordon and Earnhardt are all over non-racing, non-traditional media and advertising.

Gordon has substituted many times for Regis Philbin on "Live with Regis and Kelly," and he also has been in People Magazine a number of times. Junior is all over point-of-purchase stuff at grocery stores and convenience stores because of his Budweiser sponsorship, and he's all over Gen-X and MTV generation programming.

Earnhardt also was the subject of a major feature on "60 Minutes" a few years back. That alone can make you a household name.

Danica also is a household name after what she did at Indy last year and the media hype she received. She's a cute chick with long black hair who drives a 225-mph race car. She definitely passes the "my Mom knows about her" test.

Kobe Bryant is another, as the sex charges against him introduced him to our mothers through saturation news coverage. I would say Terrell Owens is getting close to being a household name, although he hasn't been in enough trouble with the law to merit attention from those who aren't sports fans at all.

Tyson, definitely. He was the most intimidating athlete in the world in the 80s, and he's such a freak in and out of the ring that his notoriety is worldwide, in and out of sports. The prison term secured his worldwide infamy and household name.

Michael Vick? No way. He's done nothing to distinguish himself and make news past the realm of sports. The Ron Mexico thing was small-time news outside of sports. Vick also hasn't been featured in any non-sports product mass advertising campaign. More people know McNabb than Vick simply because McNabb has been a poster boy for Campbell's Soup for a few years.

You really have to step completely outside of your skin as a sports fan when making your list. If you don't, you'll suffer from fan bias.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I think Woods too but come one its golf and b4 him THERE WAS NO HOUSEHOLD NAME IN THAT SPORT, PERIOD.

Are you high? If not, then why was Arnold Palmer the richest endorsement earner in the world -- well into his 60s and even long after he was competitive on tour -- before MJ's sponsorship deals went into orbit in the late 80s and early 90s? Palmer pimped Pennzoil, food products, golf equipment, insurance -- you name it.

Arnold Palmer was a household name in the entire Western world before Tiger was even in diapers.

Take care,
PK

[SPTO]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Tiger Woods
Tom Brady
Kobe
Bonds

sadly for hockey it's still Gretzsky

This comes from knowing my family which for the most part are NOT sports fans.

[The C]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Tyson.

With or without face tatoos. Babies are born scared of Mike.

Although that is a great defensive mechanism.

[dieselboy]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I really don't see Danica as one.

Gordon, Earnhardt, both yes.

[Vince]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Shaq's a no brainer. I'll go out on a limb and say Yao Ming as well.

[Hooe]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I'll add Peyton Manning, but even he's kinda iffy, given the original criteria.

[The_Don]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Judging by my girlfriend and sister, neither of whom follow sports at all, these are the only names they'd probably know of currently active athletes:

Football: Tom Brady, Brett Favre
Basketball: Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant
Baseball: None, maybe Barry Bonds
Hockey: None
Soccer: None
Racing: None
Golf: Tiger Woods
Tennis: Andy Roddick

That's it, I think those are the most ubiquitous athletes that non-sports fans would probably know. The common thread between these athletes is that have either been in movies or are on TV a lot (advertising, talk shows) or have had celebrity girlfriends.

[aukevin]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I read off every name in this thread to my wife to find out which ones she knows, and she heard of and could say the sport for every player except Albert Pujols, LaDanian Tomlinson, Andy Roddick, and Tom Brady. She does remember a commercial that Tom Brady was in when I told her about it and what sport he played.

[TerpsJunkie]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, and Ray Lewis. Nowadays, you have to make the news for something other than your accomplishments to become a household name.

[SPTO]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Well if that's the case then Floyd Landis must be the most well known cyclist in the world right now.....

or the biggest lying idiot.

[Acid]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Worldwide? Yeah. But since he said nationally, I don't think he's better known than, say, Derek Jeter or TO.

Lance Armstrong is one I think.

Doh, I didn't see the nationally part.

[marque1d]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Are you high? If not, then why was Arnold Palmer the richest endorsement earner in the world -- well into his 60s and even long after he was competitive on tour -- before MJ's sponsorship deals went into orbit in the late 80s and early 90s? Palmer pimped Pennzoil, food products, golf equipment, insurance -- you name it.

Arnold Palmer was a household name in the entire Western world before Tiger was even in diapers.

Take care,
PK

Real quick, when I mentioned Vick I was just making a note that he was a bigger name than Brady/Manning since I saw people mention him. I said that the NFL doesn’t have a current Athlete that fits this household name profile.

Now let me ask you to break out of the bubble and realize that golf still is and always has been an elitist sport. How come Merrill Lynch, EDS, Tag Heuer etc. sponsor their events. You would think that could reach a much broader audience if they put commercials and marketing during the NFL, NASCAR, or whatever. That’s not to say that they don’t associate with these sports but not on the level that they do with the PGA. But back to my point, household has to include everybody, not just white america. Now I know I just blew this thread up by saying that but that's part of it. You have to have the "crossover" appeal. And there’s no way, TV or not that Palmer was as known as an Ali. Actually Im not sure what would be the exact reasoning behind it but Tennis would be one of those elitist sports that I think was still able to connect with a wide range of people even 30 or 40 years ago. King, Ashe, Borg, Connor, McEnroe I think during their era they where household names.

Nonetheless, though he was before my time, I cannot see Palmer being this renowned public personality. Endorsements and being the first golf star from the TV explosion does not equate to me.

Pele>Palmer btw

Maybe we should go decade by decade starting at the 1920's or so.

[Cebby]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Danica Patrick and Andy Roddick? If you said those names out of context I'm not sure if any non-sports buff would know who they were.

Shaq and Tiger are atop the charts (and MJ if he counts).
Kobe, Brady, Jeter, ARod, Vick, and Dale Jr are probably the next tier.