We are known to be a social people and a list published in the US last week by Sports Illustrated company 120 Sports proved it by including two Irish sports stars in the top five most socially influential sporting stars of the year.
Conor McGregor was the highest climber in the list, rising 33 places to come in just behind Rory McIlroy after three top NFL stars.
The ranking measured reach as well as engagement via a proprietary algorithm and the power that McGregor now wields is evidenced by his coming ahead of Tiger Woods, Lebron James and Tom Brady in the list.
The overwhelming power of professional sport, even in an Olympic Year, is proven by the fact that only one Olympian, beach volleyball star Kerry Walsh Jennings made the Top 50 coming in at number 30.
The stars of Rio including Simon Biles, Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps did not have enough year round appeal and engagement to make the list.
- Russell Wilson (NFL Seattle Seahawks Quarterback)
- Odell Beckham Jr. (NFL New York Giants)
- J.J. Watt (NFL Houston Texans)
- Rory McIlroy (Golf)
- Conor McGregor (UFC)
- LeBron James (NBA Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Tiger Woods (Golf)
- Richard Sherman (NFL Seattle Seahawks)
- Tom Brady (NFL New England Patriots)
- Rob Gronkowski (NFL new England Patriots)
