The Top 10 Social Media Stars in Sports
As part of Sports Illustrated’s inaugural Power List, launching on Thursday, July 13, we’re highlighting the up-and-comers, sports media personalities and social media stars that are dominating the sports world today.
As technology and the thirst for content continue to collide, a new wave is disrupting the digital world. These 10 sports creators have virality in their veins—and should be on your must-follow list.
DOCKERY
Ex–Oregon State wide receiver Rahmel Dockery has the self-proclaimed “best hands on TikTok”—plus four million followers.
@realdockery Best Hands On Tiktok Exposed ???????? @Gage ???? #fyp #football #funny #besthandsontiktok #screammovie
♬ original sound - Dockery
THE PROFESSOR
A streetball legend since 2003, Grayson Boucher has amassed 7.5 million YouTube subscribers, plus 6.3 million on TikTok.
JENNA BANDY
A former D-II basketball player, Bandy has sports skills and trick shot videos that have earned her 1.3 million TikTok followers.
@jennabandy21 These @Cubs had WAY faster hands than me, but outta them two, whose hands were faster?? Ian Happ or Christopher Morel @MLB #MlbCreatorClass #LondonSeries
♬ fukumean - Gunna
SNAPPY GILMORE
A clip of his wild one-arm golf swing went viral in 2021. It’s no wonder that Eliezer Paul-Gindiri now has 2.6 million TikTok followers.
@_snappygilmore Hole vlog. Banff spring hole 4 ???? #snappygilmore #golf
♬ original sound - _snappygilmore
JOMBOY
Jimmy O’Brien’s hilarious videos breaking down MLB moments turned him into a media personality and launched Jomboy Media.
DEESTROYING
Donald De La Haye lost his NCAA eligibility over his YouTube channel but now has 5.2 million subscribers to his football skills videos.
ISHOWSPEED
Darren Watkins Jr.’s humor and electric personality while streaming games have helped him gain 17.3 million YouTube subscribers.
REAL DREAMS CHANGE THE WORLD
Mark Phillips’s comedic skits are beloved by NBA stars and fans, with over seven million followers on Instagram and YouTube.
KEITH LEE
The ex-MMA fighter built up 13.1 million TikTok followers with his food reviews; Lee even inspired Chipotle to add a new item.
@keith_lee125 Cinnaholic taste test ???? would you try it ? ???? #foodcritic
♬ original sound - Keith Lee
TERRENCE ROSS
The 32-year-old Suns guard is also a massive NBA2K streamer on Twitch and has nearly 400,000 followers on TikTok.
@.terrenceross Y’all using my MyTeam Card? ???? #terrenceross #orlandomagic #myteam #fypシ
♬ original sound - .terrenceross