Who are the best self promoters in sports history? We have a lot of talented athletes throughout the history of sports, but there are some who know how to promote themselves and elevate their brands to a whole other level. Muhammad Ali seems to be the unanimous first choice when thinking of an athlete whose brand and promotion was at or even exceeded their success in their sport. That says a lot about Ali and his promotional skills, considering that many consider him to be the greatest boxer of all-time.
Aside from Ali, Deion Sanders is a name that has entered the discussion of the best self promoters. Sam from the weekend show with Sam & Greg mentioned, "Deion Sanders has reached a place, and he has always been that, that we have known him from his time at Florida State, he is one of the greatest self promoters. We don't know how great of a coach he is." Deion Sanders was an exceptional NFL player and now has transitioned into coaching at the collegiate level. However, some would say the coaching opportunities he is receiving is due to his brand and ability to promote himself.
You can find more self promoters specifically in sports where the individual is the focus, such as combat sports like the UFC and Boxing. Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor are two prime examples of athletes who have changed the landscape of their respected sport due to their ability to promote themselves. They have made record breaking amounts of money with their bouts, and inherited a plethora of endorsements and business endeavors because of their self promotional abilities.