Simone Biles has once again solidified her place not only as the greatest gymnast ever but also as one of the most impactful athletes in sports and culture. This year, she added more accolades to her collection, snagging the esteemed Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year for the fourth time in April 2025. In July, she totally stole the show at the 2025 ESPY Awards, taking home both Best Athlete – Women’s Sports and Best Championship Performance, all thanks to her amazing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Looking back on her award, she shared, “Having a strong support system that understands your dreams, who are willing to show up for you, not just when you’re winning, but when you’re struggling, too, is really important. My sincere gratitude, appreciation and love to all of you who have stood with me on this magical journey, all the highs, lows, twists and turns along the way.”
But wait, there’s even more in store for her in 2025! On Instagram, Biles reposted Octagon’s post, which announced, “Proud to have two clients ranked in the Top 4 of @sportspro.media 50 Most Marketable Athletes list for 2025. Congrats to @simonebiles and @stephencurry30! ” Absolutely, this social media post really highlights a bigger picture: it’s not only about being great athletes, but also about the commercial and cultural significance these athletes bring.
In the 2025 SportsPro ranking, Biles is sitting pretty at number 2, while NBA star Stephen Curry follows closely at number 4. Biles really stands out because of her amazing performances, vibrant personality, and strong sense of purpose. Whether it’s her incredible number of gold medals, her work advocating for mental health, or what she does outside of gymnastics, she truly captivates people.
During her ESPY speech, she talked about her Texas roots and expressed her sympathy for the communities hit hard by flooding. She said, “Before I get into it, I first want to offer my sincere condolences to all those impacted by the devastating flash flooding on July 4th in Central Texas. Words can’t replace the pain, but our hearts are with you in this tragic time.” She’s just so relatable!
Curry being at number 4 is pretty significant too. His on-court achievements really say a lot — he’s one of the most prolific shooters in NBA history, has made multiple All-Star appearances, and snagged MVP awards. But what’s even more interesting is how his global appeal goes beyond just basketball, reaching into fashion and pop culture too.
It’s interesting to see that he sits right behind Biles on this marketing-value list, highlighting how Biles is now in the same league as the biggest names in male-dominated professional sports. Besides making her mark on those prestigious lists, she’s been keeping herself busy with various activities out there.
Simone Biles channeled her inner explorer
Last month, when Simone Biles hopped on a horse for a riding session, a lot of fans were encouraging her to consider a career in Equestrian Vaulting. Later on, the gymnast shared that she likes to go horse riding “just for fun.” So, as she’s diving into this new sport, Biles swung by the stables close to her $3 million mansion in Spring, Texas, and shared some updates with her horse.
On October 17, Biles gave us a peek into her time at the local stable, the same spot where she enjoyed a ride last September. This time, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist decided to take her Porsche Cayenne for a spin over to the horse riding facility. It’s the same car she bought last year, right after the ‘Gold over America Tour.’ When she got to the barn, she hopped on Instagram stories and shared some photos from the stalls, plus a cute pic of the horse.
After that, she shared a photo of herself on a horse, holding the reins in her left hand. That’s great for her! Even though she’s stepped away from the mat this year, it seems like she’s really enjoying herself riding her horse!
