Who's the most famous living athlete in the world?

They don't have to still be competitive, just alive.
I was thinking Tiger Woods or Muhammad Ali for worldwide popularity.
Possibly Bo Jackson or Michael Jordan, but they were mostly famous in just the US with a few fans around the world.

Or maybe Yao Ming?

David Beckham

Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods would be my guesses.

Zinedine Zidane

Mike Tennis.

Jordan!

Michael Phelps

It's definitely not Michael Jordan. He's known as "that guy in the Space Jam movie" outside of the US. And I don't even know who Bo Jackson is, so I'm pretty sure it isn't him. If it was most famous athlete still competing, I'd probably go for either Usain Bolt or David Beckham, but since it's just living, Mohammed Ali probably has a good shout.

Michael Jordan

I say Tiger Woods because golf is much more of a worldly sport then most others

The arrogant jerk known as Michael Schumacher.

Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods would be my guesses.

A toss between Pele and Maradona. 

Tiger Woods

Currently, I think that Tiger Woods, David Beckham, and Kobe Bryant are the most famous. It's mostly who I hear about in the world of sports these days.

Michael Jordan

@PrivateIronTFU said:

Michael Jordan

In America perhaps...

Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo I guess.

@MysteriousBob said:

@PrivateIronTFU said:

Michael Jordan

In America perhaps...

Well I used to live in Singapore and everybody seemed to know who he was. 

@Mordukai said:

A toss between Pele and Maradona. 

As an American, I have to say who are they? Soccer/Futbol is nothing in the United States.

I'd think most popular alive would be Beckham (Universal appeal even in the US, know who he is) or Mike Tyson actually.

Hulk Hogan

Probably Pele or Ali.

It has to be soccer the most popular sport in the world, so probably Messi, Beckham or Ronaldo

Tiger Woods probably.

How well known is Usain Bolt? Probably Messi.

Pele

Mike Tyson

@MysteriousBob said:

@PrivateIronTFU said:

Michael Jordan

In America perhaps...

Well I used to live in Singapore and everybody seemed to know who he was. 

Valentino Rossi :D

has to be Jordan

probably muhammad ali.

O.J. Simpson.

Going by world wide name recognition, my picks would be MJ, Tiger, Beckham and probably Pele.

It's definitely not Michael Jordan. He's known as "that guy in the Space Jam movie" outside of the US. And I don't even know who Bo Jackson is, so I'm pretty sure it isn't him. If it was most famous athlete still competing, I'd probably go for either Usain Bolt or David Beckham, but since it's just living, Mohammed Ali probably has a good shout.

@PrivateIronTFU said:

Michael Jordan

In America perhaps...

ronaldo, tiger woods, muhammed ali

most watched world wide sport = soccer

you dumbasses say michael jordan

Well I'd guess the answer to this question would be different depending on where you live in the world, so I can only answer this question based on the United States. And the answer to that question is that there isn't one. I'd imagine just as many, if not more people know who Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, or Tom Brady is as they do Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali because of the media attention they get.

I'm an American.  I'd probably say David Beckham.

That being said, I know a lot of international people seek out a pair of Air Jordan's when come to the States.

It's definitely not Michael Jordan. He's known as "that guy in the Space Jam movie" outside of the US.

Usain bolt... maybe not everyone knows his name that well but everyone knows somebody stopped running and still won the 100 meters with a world record. 

I don't think it's David Beckham. He had a lot of popularity for a couple years, but now I never hear about him except when they talk about his wife, the Spice Girl.

I'm not a big sports guy, but I going to say whoever the most popular soccer player is just because it is pretty much the most popular sport in the world.

Anyone caught in a drug or sex story/headlines...so yeah, Tiger Woods wins

First one that came to mind was Michael Jordan, even though basketball isn't the most popular around the world.

Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo I guess.

Micheal  Jordan

Today......I would say Randy Savage.....