Most popular athlete IN THE WORLD ever to wear no. 23: Jordan or Beckham?

See the way that I hope it would be debated was to take it in all context:

basketball vs. soccer
corperate Jordan vs. celebrity Beckham
male appeal vs. female appeal

Every angle is in favor of Beckham on a world-wide stage. Soccer is much larger than basketball. One continent that seemed to be ommitted was South America. In that regard I'd say soccer and it's not even close.
Corperate Jordan does not have as many outlets as celebrity Beckham. Jordan apperell only appeals to the sports apperell enthusiast whereas celebrity Beckham has some sport corperate appeal but has a much greater celebrity fanbase.
Male appeal may be very close but worldwide you have to give a huge advantage to Beckham.

The question was about popularity, not greatness in their own sport. Becks just has way too many outlets to be more recognized.

^^^just the truth. i've explained every one of those angles in my posts, and worldwide beckham has advantage in all three.

jordan should've married scary spice then he'd be #1

[QUOTE=Emile]LOL, I'm going to post this on a soccer board, just flat out do a V Unit and copy paste the whole OP. Let's see what they say.[/QUOTE]

The football fans would, and I am not joking, hunt you down and burn your house down. Then they would have an argy-bargy over who's more famous, Beckham or Ronaldo (pick any of them).

Famous:
Beckham=Jordan

Popular:
Jordan>Beckham

That's my personal opinion anyway, because of football's many great and existing legends, there is a great deal of diversity between support for the best footballers, but Jordan is the face of basketball.

And there was somebody who said that Tiger Wood was overrated, I can tell you, with quite a lot of certainty, that gather a thousand non-basketball, non-golf people in a place and ask each of them 'Who is Michael Jordan, who is Tiger woods, and what do you know about them?" They would answer, "Jordan plays basketball, Woods play golf.' Woods is by no means unknown in this world.

Also, just because Jordan got mobbed by fans in China is no indication of how popularh e is, I mean, McGrady and Garnett visited Hong kong last summer and people were mobbing for them too, does that mean they are as famous as Jordan? Of course not.

I'm not sure I actually understood what I typed.

Sounds like what your saying is Jordan is greater to basketball than Beckham to soccer. The average basketball fan will adore Jordan more than the average soccer fan will adore Beckham. It does not however conclude more popularity.
Remember, popularity does not always entail likabilty. Birittany Spears is popular, but not exactly likable.

[quote=hateraid]Take into account how popular futball is in comparison to basketball on a worldwide stage. Not only the fact that Beckham has some sort of celebrity status being married to Posh. I don't think it's as lopsided as people are thinking. Think outside the North American box.[/quote]

Don't be silly. Beckham is not #23, as already pointed out above.

This is not a soccer vs. baskeball popularity issue.

[QUOTE=Good Old Willy]Don't be silly. Beckham is not #23, as already pointed out above.[/QUOTE]


Well that's not were this thread ends, read on, oyes we know it's been established.

[QUOTE=Good Old Willy]This is not a soccer vs. baskeball popularity issue.[/QUOTE]

Who said it was? It's a question of who's more popular between two individuals. That's just the main platform.

Pele is the most popular athlete in the history of sports.
He retired more than 30 years ago and still is one of the most recognizable faces in the world. There isn't one real football/soccer fan who does not know Pele.
He was so popular in his prime that Nigeria stopped its civil war to watch him play. The number "10" is the games most admired number because of Pele. All the great playes like Zidane, Maradona, Zico, Ronaldinho, Platini wore the 10 because of the fame Pele gave to the number.
Pele was like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell combined, since he had all the scoring records (+ 1000 goals) and the record 3 world cups won.
And last, the brazilian black kid in the late 50's , 60's and early 70's was the hero of people all over the world. Therefore, He also surpassed the race barrier, since racism was much bigger in those days, hell, there's racism in european football today.

And the main argument Pele and Jordan have over a guy like Beckham, is that their popularity and fame were the consequence of what they had done for their sport, for their game that was never seen before in soccer/football and basketball.

So, if you ask me who's the most famous or popular athlete? Jordan or Beckham? I'd say MJ , no doubt. Who is more famous , in terms of the ****ty tabloid media , fake talentless celebrities and brainless fans we have today, Jordan or Beckham ? Beckham , no doubt. And that trophy , we , as sports fans, really don't care.

[QUOTE=lakers_forever]Pele is the most popular athlete in the history of sports.
He retired more than 30 years ago and still is one of the most recognizable faces in the world. There isn't one real football/soccer fan who does not know Pele.
He was so popular in his prime that Nigeria stopped its civil war to watch him play. The number "10" is the games most admired number because of Pele. All the great playes like Zidane, Maradona, Zico, Ronaldinho, Platini wore the 10 because of the fame Pele gave to the number.
Pele was like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell combined, since he had all the scoring records (+ 1000 goals) and the record 3 world cups won.
And last, the brazilian black kid in the late 50's , 60's and early 70's was the hero of people all over the world. Therefore, He also surpassed the race barrier, since racism was much bigger in those days, hell, there's racism in european football today.

And the main argument Pele and Jordan have over a guy like Beckham, is that their popularity and fame were the consequence of what they had done for their sport, for their game that was never seen before in soccer/football and basketball.

So, if you ask me who's the most famous or popular athlete? Jordan or Beckham? I'd say MJ , no doubt. Who is more famous , in terms of the ****ty tabloid media , fake talentless celebrities and brainless fans we have today, Jordan or Beckham ? Beckham , no doubt. And that trophy , we , as sports fans, really don't care.[/QUOTE]

Forget it. Said enough

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]When I really think about it...is Jordan more famous in his time than Joe Louis in his? In America that is. technology gives more worldwide access to modern guys but hearing about Joe makes me think he may have been bigger here. [B]As popular as Jordan was you wont have damn near all of america sit down to watch/listen(as the case may be at the time) to his games.[/B] I dont think anyone modern can approach the level of interest over the Joe Louis/Max Schmeling fight. Hearing about the level of interest....entire towns meeting in one place with dozens of radios so everyone could hear? Nationwide parties after Joe won? Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, and guys like that were probably as big as Jordan for the people who had access to them.[/QUOTE]

Joe Louis was a boxer. He fought 72 times his entire career. Michael Jordan played in 1264 NBA games (1072 regular season).

It's hardly fair to compare the two because obviously when you get to see a guy that much his games mean a whole lot less.

The only two US athletes that belong in the same sentence as Michael Jordan when it comes to worldwide or even just US fame are Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods.

I didn't even know David Beckham wears # 23. There you go:banana:

Soemone made a great point about Beckham not being number 23 earlier in his career........

and of course on a pro B-ball and mostly American site we will be yelling Micheal.

But....soccer (really Futball) is the biggest sport in the world period.
B-ball is my favorite sport but even I recognize that.

And when you travel outside of this country you will see that.

Beckham still plays NOW.

So if you ask the question who is the most popular athlete in sports its Beckham...

But to ever wear the number 23.........of course its Mike!

I can't believe youre asking this on a basketball forum.
How seriously bias of opinions do you want?

[QUOTE=aznboy2k2]I can't believe youre asking this on a basketball forum.
How seriously bias of opinions do you want?[/QUOTE]

Looks like people have been answering unbiased.

who is beckham?

MJ? gimme a break.
first of all, bball isn't even the most popular sport in the U.S.
there are hoards of American males who don't watch the NBA, don't care for it, and couldn't care less about the MJ.

MJ. As someone who knows both sports, MJ is easily the most known athlete. MJ is what made basketball huge and hes arguabley the greatest player to ever play the game. He is not only an icon for basketball, but for the sports world in general, and he is known worldwide. I think he even topped the list of top 100 american celebreties known outside of the US. Beckham was just a soccer superstar, who never came close to being the greatest to ever play the game. And in terms of just popularity, wasnt he run out of Manchester??

Michael Jordan is almost as iconic as Michael Jackson.

I bet more people in Europe know who Jordan is than Becham.

Also, take into account people in China, Korea, Japan, Russia, who do you think they recognize more?

[QUOTE=shortlunatic]MJ. As someone who knows both sports, MJ is easily the most known athlete. MJ is what made basketball huge and hes arguabley the greatest player to ever play the game. He is not only an icon for basketball, but for the sports world in general, and he is known worldwide. I think he even topped the list of top 100 american celebreties known outside of the US. Beckham was just a soccer superstar, who never came close to being the greatest to ever play the game. And in terms of just popularity, wasnt he run out of Manchester??[/QUOTE]

exactly, Jordan's name is probably the most commonly used for a benchmark along with Tiger woods.

I.E. So and so is the MJ of MMA, or so and so is the MJ of baseball.

Even the brits know who Jordan is and knowing 100s of them only one of them even followes basketball. And Becks picking 23 (I didn't even know he was wearing that # cause nobody outside of the US or UK cares about him anymore) was definately a marketing decision.

Jordan by a mile.

MJ by numerous miles

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]When I really think about it...is Jordan more famous in his time than Joe Louis in his? In America that is. technology gives more worldwide access to modern guys but hearing about Joe makes me think he may have been bigger here. As popular as Jordan was you wont have damn near all of america sit down to watch/listen(as the case may be at the time) to his games. I dont think anyone modern can approach the level of interest over the Joe Louis/Max Schmeling fight. Hearing about the level of interest....entire towns meeting in one place with dozens of radios so everyone could hear? Nationwide parties after Joe won? Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, and guys like that were probably as big as Jordan for the people who had access to them.[/QUOTE]
Good observation and your right. Joe Luis was huge in his time especially the Schmeling bout. That was like the USA vs. The Evil Nazi Empire. There was a ton of emotion whenever they met.

Beckam isn't even the current most popular soccer player. You'd have to be one of the most popular of all time to be more popular than Jordan. Well, at least Beckam ins't the most popular everywhere except the US.

I didn't know the question of the thread was who was more popular. That answer would be Jordan but to answer the question who is more popular for wearing number 23 the answer has to be Jordan again. I have to admit Beckham is very popular world wide but Jordan is the Pele of baketball for all you soccer fans.

[QUOTE=Fedor - Laker]Michael Jordan is almost as iconic as Michael Jackson.

I bet more people in Europe know who Jordan is than Becham.

Also, take into account people in China, Korea, Japan, Russia, who do you think they recognize more?[/QUOTE]


Have you ever been to these countires? There are more soccer fields than basketball courts by a LOOOONGSHOT. Plus have you taken into account continents such as South America, Africa, Australia... Soccer is a much more known sport.

I think you guys are misreading the OP. The question wasn't who's better at their perspective sports. Jordan being better at basketball compared to Beckham at soccer is IRRELEVANT. It's about who's more known.

[QUOTE=adiedanny]I didn't know the question of the thread was who was more popular. That answer would be Jordan but to answer the question who is more popular for wearing number 23 the answer has to be Jordan again. I have to admit Beckham is very popular world wide but Jordan is the Pele of baketball for all you soccer fans.[/QUOTE]
I'm not saying Pele is more popular than Jordan but he is a legend and in his time he was huge. Due to marketing Jordan is probably more popular than Pele but then again I live in the U.S. so this is just my american observation and opinion.

Gotta be Beckham! Soccer is a bigger sport than basketball around the world.

Beckham.

Jordan is way way way more well known in The U.S.A.

But in the world,famous soccer player>famous basketball player.

I'm going to get a foreign opinion. My brother-in-law from Argentina who is 6'4" and does not know anyhting about basketball and loves soccer.

i'm from Europe and it's not even close.
Jordan by something like a million miles.
even Europeans who don't even know what bball is know about MJ.
he's probably the best known sporstsman around the world.

[QUOTE=adiedanny]I'm going to get a foreign opinion. My brother-in-law from Argentina who is 6'4" and does not know anyhting about basketball and loves soccer.[/QUOTE]
He said Beckham big time. He is more popular than Pele. He did say Jordan id known in Argentina but he is not as popular than Beckham. I imagine this probably would apply the same to other soccer ruled countries which probably out number basketball countries.

[QUOTE=Doko]i'm from Europe and it's not even close.
Jordan by something like a million miles.
even Europeans who don't even know what bball is know about MJ.
he's probably the best known sporstsman around the world.[/QUOTE]
Wow! That is interesting. I guess this is really harder than first expected.

No need. We have plenty foreign opinions right here. I am one of them:

While the superior popularity of soccer over basketball gives Beckham a huge leg up on Jordan, this is more than tempered by the fact that Beckham isn't considered world class by the soccer purist. Beckham is a fashionista athlete. And athlete known more for his exploits, behaviour, looks, and fashion sense OFF the field than his skill on it. Beckham is Anna Kournikova to the nth degree before Anna Kournikova was Anna Kournikova. If the question is who is more a household name... its likely a tie. They are both household names that just about everyone in the world knows. If the question is who is more popularly known for excellence in their sport (which is what the question would seem to generally imply), the answer is Michael Jordan. Easy.

[QUOTE=adiedanny]He said Beckham big time. He is more popular than Pele. He did say Jordan id known in Argentina but he is not as popular than Beckham. I imagine this probably would apply the same to other soccer ruled countries which probably out number basketball countries.[/QUOTE]

Ah. But popular for what? Soccer? Or being a gay/fashion icon?

[QUOTE=Mor'Fiyah]No need. We have plenty foreign opinions right here. I am one of them:

While the superior popularity of soccer over basketball gives Beckham a huge leg up on Jordan, this is more than tempered by the fact that Beckham isn't considered world class by the soccer purist. Beckham is a fashionista athlete. And athlete known more for his exploits, behaviour, looks, and fashion sense OFF the field than his skill on it. Beckham is Anna Kournikova to the nth degree before Anna Kournikova was Anna Kournikova. If the question is who is more a household name... its likely a tie. They are both household names that just about everyone in the world knows. If the question is who is more popularly known for excellence in their sport (which is what the question would seem to generally imply), the answer is Michael Jordan. Easy.[/QUOTE]
That is true but this is a basketball forum. How do think it will pan out in a soccer forum. My point is we are all a part of this forum because we love baskeball American or Foreign

[QUOTE=Mor'Fiyah]Ah. But popular for what? Soccer? Or being a gay/fashion icon?[/QUOTE]
:confusedshrug: It's all foreign to me:roll:

[QUOTE=adiedanny]That is true but this is a basketball forum. How do think it will pan out in a soccer forum. My point is we are all a part of this forum because we love baskeball American or Foreign[/QUOTE]

But I gather there are many poster who love basketball and love soccer/football. Some, like me, may even prefer football hands down any day of the week over basketball. But can still appreciate basketball. If anything it would make those posters more cognizant of Jordan's popularity in comparing it to Beckham's.

[QUOTE=adiedanny]:confusedshrug: It's all foreign to me:roll:[/QUOTE]

I can tell you this. If we were to list the greatest soccer players in this era only... Beckham isn't even in the top ten.

cuz the US is the only country in the world right?

Popularity is measured by how many people know who you are and what you do right? So it's Beckam and it is not even close. Ever heard of a couple countries called India and China? Yea, they have a few people that live in them