International sports fans reveal the American athletes they admire most: survey

Michael Jordan has been named the biggest icon in American sports history by fans around the world, research shows.

A study of 10,000 fans of US sports found the NBA star ranked first in the poll, closely followed by basketball player Kobe Bryant, baseball pitcher and hitter Shohei Ohtani and LeBron James.

Other stars to appear on the list include Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his teammate Travis Kelce and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

The study also found that 88 percent of fans worldwide said individual players were what first sparked their interest in US sports, and 47 percent said they would, or have, changed the team they support if their favorite player left.

Fans’ passion runs deep, with 36 percent traveling to the States or other destinations abroad to attend an NFL or NBA game, and a further 34 percent planning to do so in the future.

Alexander Dreyfus, Founder and CEO at Chiliz, which commissioned the research as part of its annual US sports deep‑dive audit, said: “The USA is the world’s largest sports market with internationally renowned organizations, brands and individual stars.

“This has resulted in a global community of fans in every corner of the world.

“What this report shows is that the way fans engage is adapting and shifting as digital fan engagement evolves.”

The research also showed that 12 percent consider themselves dedicated fans who keep a close eye on their favorite leagues, while 22 percent follow them regularly.

Meanwhile, half (48 percent) immerse themselves in US sports a few times a week, with 16 percent engaging with it every day, according to research conducted via OnePoll.

As for how fans engage, 55 percent watch full live games on TV or streaming, while 49 percent follow highlights or short clips.

In fact, 29 percent developed their love for a particular sports team by watching games on TV or streaming.

Social media plays a major role too, with 37 percent following teams online and 15 percent actively participating in online fan communities.

YouTube remains the most popular platform, used by 63 percent of fans, followed by Instagram (42 percent), Facebook (29 percent) and TikTok (25 percent).

But time zones (51 percent) and subscription fees (34 percent) remain the biggest challenges for fans.

Alexander Dreyfus, added: “Jordan’s enduring legacy and the power of pull of teams like the Lakers and the Giants shows the importance of establishing a brand that forms deep connections with fans around the globe.

“Fans are the creators of value in sport, an industry that is moving towards a $1 Trillion valuation, and finding innovative ways to keep fans engaged is crucial for the continued growth of teams and leagues in the US.”