Who is the biggest global icon?

Cleveland Cavs · Post #1 » by **Cleveland Cavs** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 5:52 pm

Who is the biggest global sport icon and why?

Rhyno · Post #2 » by **Rhyno** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 5:58 pm

Out of the people on that list--it's Kobe Bean Bryant, and it isn't even close. His name has been relevant for over ten years, far more than Messi and Ronaldo. Bryant is a worldwide figure. James is slowly getting there, and after a few more championships he will be--but in this case it's Bryant, hands down.

diablerouge · Post #3 » by **diablerouge** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:00 pm

Rhyno wrote:Out of the people on that list--it's Kobe Bean Bryant, and it isn't even close. His name has been relevant for over ten years, far more than Messi and Ronaldo. Bryant is a worldwide figure. James is slowly getting there, and after a few more championships he will be--but in this case it's Bryant, hands down.

you must live in the u.s.

Cleveland Cavs · Post #4 » by **Cleveland Cavs** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:00 pm

Rhyno wrote:Out of the people on that list--it's Kobe Bean Bryant, and it isn't even close. His name has been relevant for over ten years, far more than Messi and Ronaldo. Bryant is a worldwide figure. James is slowly getting there, and after a few more championships he will be--but in this case it's Bryant, hands down.

To me its Messi, and its not even close.. the best player and arguably the greatest of all time in the biggest sport in the world.

vinceWin · Post #5 » by **vinceWin** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:01 pm

How is this list complete without the likes of Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Manny Pacquiao and Usain Bolt?

Out of the 4, it's gotta be Messi.

Cleveland Cavs · Post #6 » by **Cleveland Cavs** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:04 pm

vinceWin wrote:How is this list complete without the likes of Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Manny Pacquiao and Usain Bolt?

Out of the 4, it's gotta be Messi.

Edited it

TwoBalls · Post #7 » by **TwoBalls** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:11 pm

Seeing as Football is the most popular sport in the world it should be Messi

advanced · Post #8 » by **advanced** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:14 pm

i think its Bolt and Woods right now...everyone knows them

albo23 · Post #9 » by **albo23** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:25 pm

It's Messi and anyone who has ever left the United States should know any other choice is stupid.

Realdeal_33 · Post #10 » by **Realdeal_33** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:25 pm

Kobe. Not only is he popular in America, he is treated like a god in china. That's 1.6 billion people right there. Not to mention he is widely popular in Europe especially Italy where he grew up. Messi is not a household name in America and I'm pretty sure china really doesn't care about football.

Youthanasia · Post #11 » by **Youthanasia** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:28 pm

hussein bolt

albo23 · Post #12 » by **albo23** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:30 pm

Realdeal_33 wrote:Kobe. Not only is he popular in America, he is treated like a god in china. That's 1.6 billion people right there. Not to mention he is widely popular in Europe especially Italy where he grew up. Messi is not a household name in America and I'm pretty sure china really doesn't care about football.

You can stop right there. Kobe is not a god in China, this is so extremely overrated. You people see one or two youtube videos of Asian people screaming over Kobe and assume he is a god. Having lived there two years ago and visited many times, most people do not care whatsoever about Kobe Bryant. The only relevance he has is with the young crowd, and even then, it is only as much as Messi.

OneWhoKnocks · Post #13 » by **OneWhoKnocks** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:34 pm

Didn't Lin and D Rose beat Kobe on jerseys sold internationally?

Realdeal_33 · Post #14 » by **Realdeal_33** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:34 pm

albo23 wrote:
Realdeal_33 wrote:Kobe. Not only is he popular in America, he is treated like a god in china. That's 1.6 billion people right there. Not to mention he is widely popular in Europe especially Italy where he grew up. Messi is not a household name in America and I'm pretty sure china really doesn't care about football.

You can stop right there. Kobe is not a god in China, this is so extremely overrated. You people see one or two youtube videos of Asian people screaming over Kobe and assume he is a god. Having lived two years ago and visited many times, most people do not care whatsoever about Kobe Bryant. The only relevance he has is with the young crowd, and even then, it is only as much as Messi.

Ok u can cut that 1.6 number in half and it's still more than Europe's population where messi dominates the market.

iamworthy · Post #15 » by **iamworthy** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:38 pm

OneWhoKnocks wrote:Didn't Lin and D Rose beat Kobe on jerseys sold internationally?

Kobe Bryant still king of international NBA jersey sales
Kurt Helin Jun 21, 2012, 10:35 AM EDT
6 Comments

Kobe Bryant is still the biggest brand in the NBA.

Others are in line for his crown, but if you want to use an NBA star to sell shoes or soft drink or whatever internationally, Kobe is the gold standard.

And he can sell jerseys, too.

The league announced the top NBA jersey sales internationally and Kobe was on top again. He sold the most jerseys in China, the most in Europe and the most in Latin America, too. Kobe is a true global brand. This really isn’t a surprise.

Second on the international list is Derrick Rose of the Bulls, followed by LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant round out the top 10.

Spain’s stars Pau Gasol (11) and Ricky Rubio (15) are in the top 15, while France’s Tony Parker is 13th.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... sey-sales/

albo23 · Post #16 » by **albo23** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:38 pm

Realdeal_33 wrote:
albo23 wrote:
Realdeal_33 wrote:Kobe. Not only is he popular in America, he is treated like a god in china. That's 1.6 billion people right there. Not to mention he is widely popular in Europe especially Italy where he grew up. Messi is not a household name in America and I'm pretty sure china really doesn't care about football.

You can stop right there. Kobe is not a god in China, this is so extremely overrated. You people see one or two youtube videos of Asian people screaming over Kobe and assume he is a god. Having lived two years ago and visited many times, most people do not care whatsoever about Kobe Bryant. The only relevance he has is with the young crowd, and even then, it is only as much as Messi.

Ok u can cut that 1.6 number in half and it's still more than Europe's population where messi dominates the market.

And for some odd reason you think Messi is inexistant in China? Read the last line of my previous post.

Soccer is very big in much of China. Don't forget southeast Asia, India, and all of Africa.

MystikSpiral · Post #17 » by **MystikSpiral** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:39 pm

Yeah, Usain Bolt is so recognizable that everytime you see him in a commercial, they have to blend in his name so people know who the **** that guy is they're seeing...

A lot of people know the name Usain Bolt, yes, but he's no global icon and not very recognizable.

I'd say Messi and Tiger Woods...everybody knows those guys worldwide.

I'd put Bryant after those two globally...well, and as far as Lebron goes: Nobody I know, that is not into Basketball, has ever heard of Lebron James.

Post #18 » by **5DOM** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:39 pm

Messi's the better player but I think Ronaldo might be the bigger icon. In terms of name recognition, Beckham's still probably the biggest in football though.

DarkXaero · Post #19 » by **DarkXaero** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:40 pm

Rhyno wrote:Out of the people on that list--it's Kobe Bean Bryant, and it isn't even close. His name has been relevant for over ten years, far more than Messi and Ronaldo. Bryant is a worldwide figure. James is slowly getting there, and after a few more championships he will be--but in this case it's Bryant, hands down.

Realdeal_33 · Post #20 » by **Realdeal_33** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:41 pm

I been to India and the average person over there only knows one current basketball player. Kobe Bryant.