For the 80's-90's time period as most recognizable athlete...
Some past their prime/playing days, but I'd go with
Pele, Arnold, Carl Lewis (won a boat load of gold medals),
O.J.... Norman would probably be top 5 or 6.IMO

    Eguller Hmmmm. well: Pele, Maradonna, Jordan, Tyson, Gretzky, Ronaldo, Magic, Bird - good start.

    World wide? The NBA wasn't big at all in the 80's. They were just reaching out, Jordan didn't even join the NBA till 84 and wasn't a phenom till around 90-91. Gretzky? You think they knew him in warm weather countries where hockey was never played? Even Tyson didn't start fighting till 1985 and wasn't champ till 1986.
    Pele retired in 1975. #1 would and likely will always be a soccer player. Tyson would be a good choice in the 90s. But like I said, I'd bet Norman was top 5.

        Eguller Pele, Maradonna, Jordan, Tyson, Gretzky, Ronaldo, Magic, Bird

        I would submit only two on that list (Jordan/Gretzky) would rate higher than Norman in Canada.
        Maybe Tyson is on par.
        In any case, Feherty is allowed to hype his tour boss., as the PGA does with it's over the top descriptions of mediocre players and zealous ass kissing of the few that can play, and the obvious derriere french kiss hype on the washed up guy.
        JMO

            darpar For the 80's-90's time period as most recognizable athlete...
            Some past their prime/playing days, but I'd go with
            Pele, Arnold, Carl Lewis (won a boat load of gold medals),
            O.J.... Norman would probably be top 5 or 6.IMO

            If we're talking even retired athletes then without a doubt Pele and Muhammed Ali are right there. I believe at one time Ali was considered the most recognizable name in the world.

              BTW, Feherty, Foltz and others must have an ass kissing clause in their contracts, as while
              watching for a short time Sat., Foltz went on and on about how LIV was being so wronged
              by the World points organization and it's just not fair....BOO HOO!😢
              Hell the guy who finished 48th,or basically just showed up still made $120,000 for 3 days of
              hacking it around at +11! 👍

                garyt1957 But like I said, I'd bet Norman was top 5.

                On most all google searches, Norman wasn't ranked above #5 and that was just in golf in the 80's not
                even considering world wide athletes in the mix. Pele or Jordan are generally considered #1.
                Everybody has their opinion, just like ___.

                    Spuzz I would submit only two on that list (Jordan/Gretzky) would rate higher than Norman in Canada.
                    Maybe Tyson is on par.
                    In any case, Feherty is allowed to hype his tour boss., as the PGA does with it's over the top descriptions of mediocre players and zealous ass kissing of the few that can play, and the obvious derriere french kiss hype on the washed up guy.
                    JMO

                    It was definitely a reach, but not totally ridiculous. We in the US think the world revolves around us and everybody knows are Big 4 sports athletes. I wonder if the uproar would be the same if Jim Nance had called Rory the most recognizable athlete today?

                      Eguller On most all google searches, Norman wasn't ranked above #5 and that was just in golf in the 80's not

                      Yet he became a multi, multi millionaire on his own clothing line and likely the most recognizable logo in sports next to Air Jordan, c'mon

                        darpar , Feherty, Foltz and others must have an ass kissing clause in their contracts

                        Of course they do.
                        So what?
                        Only the PGA Tour is allowed to hype their own product?
                        Good grief.

                          All those no-names at the PGA's last tournament should be
                          thanking all those LIV defectors for making room for them.

                          5 days later
                          12 days later

                          First televised LIV tournament the local network chose to broadcast an obscure college basketball game that no one was even in the stands to watch. This week they’ve chosen to broadcast the Women of Wrestling. Well, I guess they gained a minute of viewership ratings credit for each as I tuned it to make sure they really chose not to broadcast golf.

                          😆The wrestling event has about 10 or 15 live people in the live audience plus about another 40 motionless photo audience members. SMH.