Most Valued Athletes on Social Media in 2016
He married Ciara, so it’s no surprise Russell Wilson is #1.
Digital sports network 120 Sports and social analytics platform MVPindex joined forces to determine the most valued athletes on social media in 2016. Using a ranking system composed of three components: reach (fans, followers, impressions), engagement (likes, comments, shares, retweets, favorites) and conversation (positive/negative mentions), Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, came out on top. Tying the knot with singer Ciara and playing well on the gridiron earned Wilson the top spot. Rounding out the top three were Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants (#2) and J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans (#3).
Leading all leagues, the NFL had nine players in the Top 25 while the NBA had five for second most. One of the largest leaps from last year to this year was MMA fighter Conor McGregor who jumped 33 spots to claim #5 on the list. Five women made the list this year including Alex Morgan (#15), Serena Williams (#16), Ronda Rousey (#18), Hope Solo (#22) and Kerri Walsh Jennings (#25).
120 Sports will reveal the full Top 25 list tonight at 9 p.m. ET.
For now, check out the top athletes in each sport below:
Robinson Cano – MLB
Conor McGregor – UFC
Russell Wilson -NFL
Rory McIlroy – PGA Tour
LeBron James – NBA
Alex Morgan – US Soccer
Serena Williams – WTA
Jeff Gordon – NASCAR
Kerri Walsh Jennings – AVP
