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Insider is compiling its inaugural list of athletes who have built successful careers as creators.
Nominees may include active or recently retired professional or amateur athletes.
We want to know which athletes you think are impacting sports media. Submit nominees by October 21.
Athletes have always had a presence in sports media. Legends like John Madden, Shaquille O’Neal, and Rebecca Lobo all successfully pivoted from the court or field to the front of the camera.
But as sports broadcasting has evolved from linear TV to streaming services, and sports media has expanded from newspaper articles to the internet, the presence of athletes in media has also evolved.
The space once considered a post-retirement career option has turned into a side hustle for some high-level stars like Draymond Green, Candace Parker, and the Kelce brothers. Some like Jalen Rose and JJ Redick started in media during their basketball careers to transition seamlessly into post-playing positions as NBA analysts.
In amateur sports, the new NIL rules mean student-athletes no longer need to choose between their sport and becoming revenue-generating creators. Plenty of student-athletes are now expanding their social media presences and the space is expected to grow even more as the country further adapts to the NIL changes that kicked in just over a year ago.
Haley (left) and Hanna Cavinder play basketball for the University of Miami and are two of the most followed college athletes on social media.
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And athletes aren’t only entering the media in front of the camera. LeBron James, Pat McAfee, and Alex Morgan are just some of the athletes that have started media companies. They may not be on screen, but they are the driving forces behind the content that their companies produce.
Insider is compiling its inaugural list of the top athletes who are creators and sports-media personalities.
We are looking for nominations for leaders who have made the biggest strides in sports media, whether in front of or behind the camera. Nominees can be active or recently retired professional or amateur athletes. Recently retired athletes are those that have retired within the last five years (since 2017).
Eligible retired athletes include McAfee (retired 2017) and Redick (2021). Ineligible athletes include Lobo (2003) and Rose (2007).
Please submit your nominations here by October 21 or enter the information below: