Simone Biles has been recognized as the world’s most marketable athlete for the second time.
US gymnastics legend Simone Biles has been named the world’s most marketable athlete for 2024.
The most decorated gymnast in history has reclaimed the top spot on SportsPro’s annual list of the 50 Most Marketable Athletes (50MM) for the second time, having previously held the title in 2021. This makes Biles only the third athlete in the history of the 50MM list to achieve the top ranking twice, joining soccer stars Lionel Messi and Neymar, and she is the first woman to do so.
In second place is Brazilian soccer star Vinicius Junior, followed closely by LeBron James, who fell one spot from his 2023 position. Caitlin Clark makes her debut at number four, marking another milestone in her impressive year with the Indiana Fever. Last year’s top athlete, Lionel Messi, has slipped to fifth.
The 2024 list includes 28 male athletes and 22 female athletes, maintaining a balanced gender representation in the top ten. Seventeen-year-old Spanish soccer prodigy Lamine Yamal ranks as the most marketable teenager at number 41. At 39, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lewis Hamilton are the oldest athletes in the top 50.
Soccer and basketball dominate the representation with 15 and 11 athletes, respectively. Rugby makes a return to the list thanks to US Olympian Ilona Maher, who is ranked eighth. Athletes from the NFL, cricket, swimming, tennis, alpine skiing, and track and field are also included this year.
Overall, the list features athletes from 18 countries, with the US representing 42 percent. Notably, 21 athletes from the list have participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has the most athletes represented, with six players included.
Last year’s number four, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has dropped out of the top 50, along with others like Robert Lewandowski, Alphonso Davies, and Alphonso Davies.
