+1 to everything CoTree just said. To me, the metric is, who does the AP cover the most in 2018? Who's the biggest name, the most relevant, the most likely to generate headlines as an athlete. There's no question Serena is that for women's sports. I doubt Katie Ledecky has 30 percent name recognition nationally, notwithstanding her amazing accomplishments. Simone Biles was runner up, and I think she had a credible case to be AP Athlete of the Year between her athletic accomplishments and her influence on reforming US gymnastics. I'd have been OK with either winning.
LeBron's closest competitor in my mind was Tiger, because I think Tiger came very close to being as newsworthy at times this year, but the pull of LeBron is undeniable. Look at how extreme the role reversal has been for the Cavs and Lakers all because one player decided to swap teams. As many people follow his Instagram as follow the president on Twitter. There hasn't been an athlete with his level of impact on and off the court since Jordan, and in the social media era we now live in, LeBron has a far greater capacity to influence.
LeBron's closest competitor in my mind was Tiger, because I think Tiger came very close to being as newsworthy at times this year, but the pull of LeBron is undeniable. Look at how extreme the role reversal has been for the Cavs and Lakers all because one player decided to swap teams. As many people follow his Instagram as follow the president on Twitter. There hasn't been an athlete with his level of impact on and off the court since Jordan, and in the social media era we now live in, LeBron has a far greater capacity to influence.