Simone Biles is one of the biggest names in the sporting world at the moment. Not only inside the gymnastics world, Biles’ impact can be felt outside of it, too. With 7 Olympic gold medals to her name, Biles, at 27, has become a living legend of gymnastics. But while she has taken a break from twisting and turning on the mat, Biles is gaining some significant ground in making herself a dominant brand. But being the GOAT she is, we all know she isn’t satisfied with just being in the conversation. So what’s next?
If you’re still associating greatness in sports with only names like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, or Serena Williams, then it’s time for a serious update. Simone Biles isn’t just flipping through the air—she’s flipping the narrative. With a jaw-dropping milestone that pushes her beyond MJ and Tiger, she’s now got her eyes set on the upper echelon of sporting royalty: LeBron James and Serena Williams. So, how did a 4’8″ powerhouse gymnast become the new face of GOAT conversations? Let’s dive in.
Well, she has already toppled two of the cult favorites of the USA sporting realm. In a recent update, TIME released its nominations for the list of the 100 most influential people. And guess what? Biles not only made the list but also got elevated to a whole new level. Imagine the superstardom that Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods had back in the US. But all those are looking bleak in front of the daunting figure of Biles.
With Aly Raisman nominating Simone Biles to be in the top 100, she now has more nominations than both Jordan and Woods. In fact, considering all the athletes of color who have represented the US internationally, Biles now holds the joint second-highest nominations along with the late great Muhammad Ali. However, Biles must not get complacent with the achievement.
While no doubt, the US gymnast has done a phenomenal job, she is still aiming for more. Standing in her path are Serena Williams and LeBron James! With 5 nominations each, James and Williams are leading the chart at the moment. Surely, Biles will aim to get past them to establish undisputed dominance in the sporting realm. In fact, over the years, Biles’ brand value has only gone up.
Simone Biles leveled up again after landing in Forbes’ top 10. Simone Biles ended 2024 on a financial and influential high. The four-time Olympic gold medalist officially flipped her way into the top 10 of Forbes’ list of highest-paid female athletes, racking up a remarkable $11.2 million. Ranked 9th, Biles’ earnings came through a mix of endorsements and competitive winnings, reflecting her unmatched marketability and dominance in gymnastics.
But even that wasn’t her final act of the year. Following her financial triumph, Biles achieved a second major milestone—being named to the Financial Times’ “Most Influential Women of 2024” list. Unlike the earnings list, this wasn’t ranked, yet it featured only two athletes: Biles and British ultrarunner Jasmin Paris.
Sharing space with political leaders, CEOs, and cultural icons, the gymnast was celebrated not just for her victories but for the resilience that carried her there. As Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour put it, “The greatest and most decorated gymnast in history, as we all witnessed, again, this summer watching the Paris Olympics.”
Simone Biles has already accomplished what most athletes only dream of—and she’s still got plenty of flips left in the tank. By pushing past Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods with her latest milestone, she’s earned her seat at the GOAT table. And from the way things are going, don’t be surprised when she takes the head of that table from LeBron and Serena. She’s not just eyeing the throne. She’s already halfway in the royal robe.
