Athletes have become as much a part of the entertainment scene as actors. In 2019, the crossover has been massive and the people who have done it have become bigger stars after their careers. Some have managed to do it while still playing.
Michael Strahan
If it seems like Michael Strahan is everywhere, that’s because the former New York Giants defensive lineman is. He is on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” has an hour show later in the day, is on FOX NFL programming and also produces documentaries.
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens has turned his colorful personality and controversial NFL career into a postseason life on many platforms. He’s always good for a verbal quip and he also is quite the bowler. A two-sports athlete and more. Owens is continually a presence on the social media scene.
Rob Gronkowski
Gronk is everywhere. His personality is child-like and lovable. He stepped away from football in his prime and has found a new prime on numerous TV shows and with the FOX football broadcast team.
Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow is a machine. A great athlete and his honest-to-goodness personality makes him a craved guest and presence on the entertainment scene as well as for personal appearances. One of the best good guys.
Jesse Palmer
Jesse Palmer played football and now does a little of everything. He was on “The Bachelor” and has turned that into a broadcasting career with ESPN. He’s no one-trick pony, either as he is the host of the popular “Daily MailTV” news and entertainment program.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady is one of the biggest stars in sports and continues to be one of the athletes who has crossed over to be a guest and person anyone and everyone wants for numerous purposes. When you are as big as Brady, you can be selective … quite selective.
Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw continues to be a presence for FOX Sports, which uses him not only on NFL broadcasts but also to take advantage of his fun personality. The Hall of Fame QB is a frequent guest and is the face of FOX’s weekly “wagering” challenge game.
Deion Sanders
Prime Time is always in prime time. A major presence on NFL Network, Deion Sanders has a huge social media following and is front and center on other platforms when it comes to displaying his personality and ability to be a guest and analyst. One thing he isn’t going to be is Florida State’s football coach.
Jimmy Johnson
The former Dallas Cowboys coach has turned himself into a weekly analyst on the FOX pre-game show. He also does commercials and will make occasional appearances as a guest on TV outside FOX.
Nate Burleson
Nate Burleson has gone from being a WR to cutting a wide swath in entertainment. He’s on the popular “Good Morning Football” show on NFL Network and also has crossed over to entertainment. He’s one to watch with a big future and a star personality.
J.J. Watt
In addition to being one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, J.J. Watt has grown his brand through philanthropy and many generous endeavors. The Houston Texans star is always a welcome guest.
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick may be away from the NASCAR scene but it doesn’t diminish her presence. She has many business, sports and entertainment interest. The former driver has gone from auto machines to being a powerhouse marketing machine. …
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers’ is a superstar in the NFL and he is a mega-star when it comes to interests off the field. His State Farm commercials are a constant and enjoyable presence on TV. He is a charitable persona and numerous other business interests in growing a strong individual brand. Oh, and he is part of a mega-power couple with Danica Patrick.
Dwayne Johnson
Arguably the most massive star going, Dwayne Johnson is a mogul via his acting career, Seven Bucks Production company, WWE history and social media presence. He’s the highest bar when it comes to getting as a guest. A remarkable rise from the ring. His opening segment when Smackdown! moved to FOX is the highest rated segment to date and likely will never be topped … until he appears again.
John Cena
The Rock light? Not fair to John Cena, who has made himself into more than one of the most polarizing Superstars in WWE. He has played host on “Today,” makes movies, plenty of guest appearances and has created quite the second life now that his wrestling run is drawing to a close, if that actually happens.
The Miz
From star on MTV’s “Real World” many years ago, to WWE Superstar to now star of his own TV show on USA Network, “Miz and Maryse,” The Miz has become a crossover talent who can go in many directions.
Goldberg
Bill Goldberg has turned a football career into a wrestling career and now has had presence on television in different shows and roles. One smart dude.
Lindsey Vonn
Lindsey Vonn has soared to great heights as a skier and an Olympian. She’s a constant presence at awards shows and is one of the bigger sports stars on the pop-cultre/entertainment circuit.
Serena and Venus Williams
The Williams sisters have changed tennis through their play, fashion designs and in many other ways. They have won numerous Grand Slams and are a hit whether in the business world or when making appearances on television or other platforms to promote their interests.
Laila Ali
Laila Ali was a knockout in the ring and continues to be a hit through her presence after the boxing career. She’s a frequent guest on TV shows, has been on Food Network and has done a great job creating an after-sport career for herself.
Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey crossed over from UFC legend to WWE Superstar to movie actor to TV star on “9-1-1.” She transcends all her sports and is a mega-personality.
Megan Rapinoe/USWNT
Megan Rapinoe and the USWNT brought home another Women’s World Cup in 2019. The team and its athletes became staples of the TV seen in the aftermath of victory. Rapinoe became the face of sports activism and did not shy from her role.
Ryan Lochte
Olympian Ryan Lochte found trouble after his swimming career. Yet, his quirks and personality guarantee every time you think he is gone from the scene, he will do something that will reel bookers back in for their programs.
Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinksi
NBC’s Olympic quirky coupling has worked out beyond the imagination. They play off each other and play well together. A fantastic tandem that can appear and has on different programs for the Peacock. Charming does it.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq is larger than life and his presence around the NBA and away from it continues to grow. He’s a business person, studio analyst and regular presence on many entertainment and social media platforms. Hardly a day goes by when Shaq doesn’t pop up somewhere.
Charles Barkley
Controversial, colorful, fun and sometimes agitating, Charles Barkley is a huge personality and good for a sound byte almost anywhere and everywhere he appears.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar always has been more than an athlete. Long out of basketball, the former Bucks and Lakers star has become a cultural commentator. He wrote a novel about Mycroft Holmes and was in an episode of “New Girl.”
LeBron James
The better question is what doesn’t LeBron James do? Athlete, businessman, mogul and all-around superstar on and off the court.
Stephen Curry
No one parlayed the Warriors’ dynasty to a bigger presence on the sports and entertainment scene than Stephon Curry. The incredibly talented shooting guard produces on and off the court. He was the driving force behind a quirky mini-golf show on ABC and has numerous other endeavors to his credit.
Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon was the face of the “24” car in NASCAR for decades. Since leaving, he continues to be part of the sport with FOX and is also involved with many sponsorships. The All-American guy for NASCAR and that makes him coveted.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Racing royalty is what Dale Jr. is. The perfect person to be the face of the sport when it came to fans and now the perfect person when it comes to being a beloved guest and for someone to tie to their brand as a spokesperson. Dale Jr. is good people.
Alex Rodriguez
Another athlete who has found an incredible career after baseball. Alex Rodriguez is an announcer, producer, pop culture phenom with fiancee Jennifer Lopez, guest extraordinaire and done quite well for himself.
David Ortiz
Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz isn’t as big a presence on different platforms as his FOX colleague Alex Rodriguez, but he is a force when it comes to being a guest and being good for a comment that can bring knowledge and humor.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson may have left the Lakers but he has not exited from the sports and entertainment scene. He’s involved with multiple business, the Los Angeles Dodgers through ownership and is always around when called on to be a guest.
Mark Cuban
The Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban is a businessman, personality and dabbles in many worlds.
Bill Walton
Last but not least is the wonderful Bill Walton. An activist, announcer and music lover the former UCLA and NBA star is one of the most charismatic and charming sports people to grace entertainment platforms.
