Settle bet - most famous US athlete, all time

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Most famous world-wide, or in the US?

I think I lean towards Ali for global fame.

[steve B]

The global vs "local" thing is a solid dividing line.

Just in the US, I'd think Ruth, although many would be more popular briefly, I don't think brief fame counts. Or mor that it counts as an entirely different discussion.

Internationally I'd go with Ali. Jordan and Lebron are up there but I think it's too soon for them.

Then there's the who is the most popular right now question.

Right now locally? Maybe Caitlyn Clark? Getting tons of press, and a lot of attention.

early on? Major Taylor. Not as popular here, but very popular in Europe and Australia.

[D. Bergin]

Even during Babe Ruth's prime years, Jack Dempsey would have been more famous world-wide than him. Much more!

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Even during Babe Ruth's prime years, Jack Dempsey would have been more famous world-wide than him. Much more!

And he was literally forgotten about by the general public by the 1940s/50s.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

And he was literally forgotten about by the general public by the 1940s/50s.

No he wasn't

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

No he wasn't

If you believe he was actually more popular than Ruth during his heyday, then this by far is more believable.

[Beercan collector]

OJ