Simone Biles, Ilona Maher Lead 2025 Most Marketable Athletes Rankings

Simone Biles remains one of the world's most marketable athletes, ranking second in the 2025 SportsPro and NorthStar Solutions Group study assessing over 1,000 athletes globally. Despite her previous top spot following the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles was surpassed by F1 star Lewis Hamilton, who achieved the highest marketability score after his move to Ferrari. Biles' sponsorship approach, exemplified by Powerade's mental health-focused campaign, reflects a new trend where athletes collaborate deeply with brands to highlight personal and social issues. The 2025 rankings feature a diverse top 10 including Olympic rugby medalist Ilona Maher, basketball stars Stephen Curry and LeBron James, and soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. Although NFL presence is limited, with Travis Kelce ranking 50th, the WNBA is notably well represented, highlighting growing commercial interest in women's sports. Overall, the SportsPro 50 Most Marketable Athletes list reveals evolving trends in athlete endorsements, including increased female representation and the rising influence of personal narratives in brand partnerships.