Eguller Feherty made the questionable call to describe LIV’s commissioner, Greg Norman, as “probably the most recognizable athlete on the planet” in the ’80s and ’90s.
Who would you pick? It's not an American sport athlete. None of the major sports were global then. Maybe some soccer player? Norman played all over the world, had the swashbuckling image, the hat, endorsements up the wazoo. I'd bet he was top 5 easy.
Edit to add: Jordan was reaching an international audience, So I'd take him #1.