Sports have long been considered a man's domain. But over the years, more and more women have made their mark on the world of sports. Today, there are numerous female athletes who are not only talented and successful, but also highly influential.

Many of these influential - and incredibly powerful - women have come from the US, with some of them having been able to use their position within sports to help incite change across a number of different areas in the world, with some using the platform that they have achieved to do a whole lot of good for something else; perhaps something that is close to their heart. 

In this article, we thought we would take a look at just some of the most influential women in sports entertainment in America and highlight why we believe they are individuals that are deserving of this recognition and why they can only ever be considered with this particular label.

Who are the influential women chosen?

In this article, we have looked at the following US female sports stars from the past and present as the most influential:

  • Serena Williams
  • Simone Biles
  • Alex Morgan
  • Megan Rapinoe
  • Billie Jean King

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at each of them and highlight why they can be considered to be among the most influential in professional sports!

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is arguably the most successful female tennis player of all time. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name - the most by any player in the female Open Era, she is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, period. In addition to these major titles, she has a total of 73 career titles which ranks her fifth all-time.

Off the court, Williams is a highly visible figure, using her platform to speak out on issues such as gender equality and racial injustice. She is also an entrepreneur, with businesses in fashion, beauty, and wellness, and now that she has retired, it would not be a surprise if we were to see her continue to be influential across these many facets and continue to be a success in inspiring the next generation of women.

Simone Biles

Simone Biles is an Olympic gymnast who is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. She has won a total of 34 Olympic and World Championship medals, more than any other female gymnast in history. Included in that total, though, is 25 golds, with each of the four achieved at the Olympics having been won at the 2016 Games in Rio.

Biles is also a vocal advocate for change within the sport of gymnastics, particularly when it comes to increasing athlete safety and providing better support for athletes' mental health. She has become a pioneering figure in this regard, with her becoming an inspiration for many women in sport as she continues to break down boundaries and glass ceilings.

Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan is a professional soccer player who has helped lead the United States Women's National Team to two World Cup championships. In fact, she is widely argued to be one of the greatest female soccer players of all time, and one that many have always looked to when placing bets on the game now that it has grown in popularity.

Indeed, many continue to look for the best sports betting site in America whenever Women’s soccer is being played and many who decide to place bets on the National Team have looked at Morgan as a player that they want to potentially consider as a wagering opportunity. 

Punters look at the 33-year-old as she has been incredible when it comes down to putting the ball in the back of the net. For instance, this season in the NWSL, she has managed to score 15 times in 17 games, while her record for the USWNT currently stands at an impressive 119 goals in 198 appearances. With a goal rate like that, it does not come as a surprise that she is an influential woman to many.

As a result, she is also a highly sought-after endorser, with deals with some of the world's top brands, including Nike and Barbie. In addition to her success on the field, Morgan has also written best-selling books and founded her own production company.

Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe is another member of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team who has been extremely outspoken about social injustice, particularly when it comes to race and gender equality. This has made her a really influential American sportswoman, with many looking up to the current OL Reign captain, as she has been able to make the right noises and bring attention and focus to the game.

She was one of the co-captains of the team that won the 2019 World Cup and was named both the tournament's best player and top scorer. Rapinoe has also been honored with numerous individual awards, including the FIFA Ballon d'Or and Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year.

Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King is a former professional tennis player who became one of the most famous athletes in the world after defeating Bobby Riggs in what was billed as "The Battle of the Sexes" tennis match in 1973.

Since retiring from tennis, King has been a leading voice in advocating for gender equality in sports. In 2009, she was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.

Final Thoughts

Women have long been underrepresented in sports. But over the years, more and more women have made their mark on the world of sports. Today, there are numerous female athletes who are not only talented and successful but also highly influential. The five mentioned above can be considered to be the most influential women in sports in America. This is because these women have used their platform to speak out on issues such as gender equality and racial injustice and have paved the way for future generations of female athletes.

There are many others that can be chosen, but it would be hard to say they are as influential as those selected above!

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