According to the annual SportsPro ranking, Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list of the world’s most marketable athletes, beating out his former adversary Lionel Messi, Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton, and LeBron James.
Due to his massive brand partnerships with companies like Nike, Herbalife, Clear, and LiveScore, the Manchester United star is regarded as one of the best footballers in history.
On Monday, October 17, SportsPro published their list of the 50 most marketable sportsmen, with Ronaldo leading the rankings.
Athletes were graded based on a “Marketability Score,” which is composed of three separate scoring factors: audience, economy, and brand strength.
The ranking is based on social media reach and followers, but it also considers an athlete’s social effect, philanthropic work, and impact on the triple bottom line. It was created to objectively assess an athlete’s marketability.
Ronaldo received a “marketability score” of 91.21 out of 100, making him the most marketable athlete.
Who is the current world’s most marketable athlete?
Michael Long, the editorial director of SportsPro, enquired. Since 2010, SportsPro has posed this exact question to itself each year, and the process of finding an answer offers a fascinating window into the world of athlete marketing.
“Marketability” can be evaluated in a variety of ways, but our comprehensive analysis shows that each athlete on this year’s eclectic list provides significant value to their brand partners.
Their individual reach, influence, and, in many cases, willingness to speak out on social issues also positions them as perfect ambassadors for firms trying to interact authentically with consumers. They are not just elite, but also extremely prominent athletes in their respective sports.
SEE THE TOP 10 BELOW.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Serena Williams
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. LeBron James
5. Lionel Messi
6. Naomi Osaka
7. Virat Kohli
8. Alex Morgan
9. Sam Kerr
10. Tom Brady
