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Do you need to hire a trusted expert for a meeting, conference, corporate event, seminar, trade-show, convention, or company workshop?
Here is a list of the top athletes to consider for your event that can deliver a memorable speech and presentation that will inspire, educate, and entertain your audience.
These athlete speakers can cover such topics as hard work, never giving up, hope, courage, faith, discipline, resilience, teamwork, believing in yourself, determination and more.
If you would like to hire any of these speakers or need more suggestions, fill out this form and our booking agent will respond within two business hours.
Please note, we work with over 5000 experts and thought leaders who may not be listed on our site.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is a professional golfer who is well-known across the world. On December 30, 1975, he was born in Cypress, California. Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, was a single-digit handicap amateur golfer who began teaching his son the game at the age of two.
At the age of 21, Tiger won his first major championship at the 1997 Masters Tournament. Since then, he’s won a slew of more competitions.
In 2003, Tiger Woods won the Buick Invitational and the Western Open. The next year, he won only one PGA Tour Championship. He bounced back in 2005, though, winning six Championships.
He was again named PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2007 and won his eight Arnolod Palmer award for leading earnings on the tour.
Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm is often hailed as the best woman to have ever stepped on a soccer field, and is credited with helping to popularize the sport among females. As a motivational speaker, Mia Hamm continues to empower a new generation of young women everywhere.
She had an illustrious career with the United States’ Woman’s National Soccer team spanning 17 active years, during which time she gained one of the largest fan followings of any American athlete in any sport. Mia Hamm won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991 and 1999, as well as taking home gold medals from the 1996 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
Hamm held the world record for most number of goals scored in an internationally competitive match by any player- male or female- until June 2013 when her long-standing record was finally eclipsed by Abby Wambach.
As an athlete motivational speaker, she talks about the importance of teamwork and determination, and the challenges she faced and overcame throughout her career.
Magic Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons.
He was a three-time NBA MVP and a 12-time All-Star and is considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time.
He was drafted first overall in 1979 and his career skyrocketed from there. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers and is regarded as one of the best point guards to ever play the game.
After retiring, Johnson became a successful business entrepreneur, investing in numerous businesses and sports teams.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is a retired American professional basketball player who is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
He is famous for his exceptional athletic abilities, his leadership on and off the court, and his ability to perform under pressure.
Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is known for his success on the court, including winning six NBA championships with the Bulls.
Off the court, Jordan has also been successful as a businessman and is widely recognized as a global icon.
Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998.
Over the course of his career with the Colts and Denver Broncos, Peyton established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, setting records for passing yards, touchdown passes, wins and Pro Bowl selections.
He won two Super Bowls and four MVP awards, as well as numerous other accolades including being named to 14 Pro Bowls and being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year five times.
He left an indelible mark on the game and will be remembered as a legendary figure for generations to come.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is an icon of American swimming, having achieved some of the most spectacular feats in the history of the sport.
The Baltimore native has made waves as a swimmer throughout his career, winning an incredible 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds, breaking numerous world records, and inspiring countless athletes around the world.
Phelps first burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old in 2000, racing in the U.S. Olympic team trials and qualifying for four events in Sydney.
He won his first medal at the age of 15 and went on to become one of the most accomplished athletes in history.
Phelps also holds the marks for most Olympic gold medals (23), most Olympic individual gold medals (13), and most consecutive Olympics with a gold medal in an individual event (11).
Shaun White
Shaun White is a famous American snowboarder and skateboarder. He is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding and has won numerous medals at the X Games, an annual extreme sports event.
White is known for his high-energy, acrobatic riding style and his successful career as a professional athlete.
In the halfpipe event, he has won two Olympic gold medals. He made history in 2013 when he became the first person to ever record a perfect score in professional snowboarding.
Shaun has also set multiple world records and won numerous important awards outside of competition.
Josh Sundquist
Josh Sundquist is a Paralympic ski racer, author, and motivational speaker. He is best known for competing in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Paralympics as a member of the US Paralympic Ski Team.
Sundquist has also written several books, including “Just Don’t Fall,” a memoir about his experiences as a cancer survivor and athlete, and “Love and First Sight,” a young adult novel.
In addition to his athletic and writing careers, Sundquist is also a popular motivational speaker, sharing his story of perseverance and determination with audiences around the world.
Bill Walton
Bill Walton is a retired American basketball player who had a successful career at both the collegiate and professional level. He played college basketball at UCLA, where he won three consecutive national championships from 1972 to 1974.
He was also named the National College Player of the Year in both 1972 and 1974. In the NBA, Walton played for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics, winning NBA championships with Portland in 1977 and Boston in 1986.
He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1977 and was a four-time NBA All-Star. In addition, he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1978 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Jackie Joyner Kersee
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is a retired American track and field athlete, who is widely considered one of the greatest female athletes of all time. She is a six-time Olympic medalist in the heptathlon and long jump, and holds the world record in the heptathlon.
Joyner-Kersee was the first woman to score over 7,000 points in the heptathlon, and she won three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals in the heptathlon and long jump events at four Olympic Games.
In addition to her Olympic accomplishments, Joyner-Kersee also won numerous medals at the World Championships and other international competitions.
She was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2004 and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 1995.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is a professional tennis player who is regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished athletes. She holds the most Grand Slam singles championships of any woman in history, with 23.
Serena Williams is noted for her tremendous presence and commitment on the court, in addition to her exceptional skills. She’s utilized her position to raise awareness about social injustice and to empower women throughout the world.
As a athlete motivational speaker, Serena believes that athletics are about more than just winning which is why in her presentations, she talks a lot about hard work, overcoming adversity, courage, and never giving up.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. He has won a record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Open titles, and five US Open titles.
Federer has reached a record 36 Grand Slam finals and has spent over 310 weeks ranked as the world’s number one player. He has also won a record 6 ATP Finals titles and won a record 5 ATP Tour Finals. Federer has won a record 5 International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Champions, and has won a record 5 ITF World Tour Finals.
Federer has won a record 5 ITF World Tour Finals titles, and has won a record 5 ITF World Tour Finals. Federer has also won a record 5 ITF World Tour Finals titles. Federer has won a record 5 ITF World Tour Finals titles, and has won a record 5 ITF World Tour Finals. Federer has also won a record 5 ITF World Tour Finals titles.
John Elway
John Elway is a former American football quarterback who is best known for his career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Broncos for 16 seasons, from 1983 to 1998, and is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
During his career, Elway was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time Super Bowl champion, and was named the Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXXIII. He was also named the NFL MVP in 1987 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Elway is also known for his leadership and competitiveness, and is widely respected as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.
Greg Norman
Greg Norman is a retired Australian professional golfer who is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. He won 91 international tournaments, including two majors, the 1986 and 1993 British Open Championships.
During his career, he spent a total of 331 weeks ranked as the world’s number one golfer and he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.
Norman was also known for his successful business ventures, including the development of golf courses and the creation of his own line of golf clothing.
He has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the sport of golf.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is a world-renowned gymnast who has had an impressive career filled with numerous accomplishments. She is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and has won a total of 19 Olympic and World Championship medals, making her the most decorated American gymnast in history.
Biles is known for her impressive skill and athleticism, and she has consistently broken records and set new standards for the sport. She has won numerous titles, including the all-around World Championship title every year from 2013 to 2021, and she has also been named the USA Gymnastics Female Athlete of the Year multiple times.
As an athlete speaker, Biles has inspired many young gymnasts and has made a lasting impact on the world of gymnastics.
Scott Hamilton
Scott Hamilton is a retired American figure skater who is best known for his Olympic gold medal win in 1984. He is also a four-time World Champion and four-time U.S. National Champion.
In addition to his competitive career, Hamilton has worked as a skating commentator and analyst for various television networks and has served as a motivational speaker. He is known for his artistry and athleticism on the ice and is widely regarded as one of the greatest figure skaters in history.
Hamilton went on to become a television pundit and showman after his competitive career, traveling with Stars on Ice and participating in various television specials, including Scott Hamilton: Upside Down & Under.
Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan is a former American football player who played for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He was a defensive end, and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. He was also a member of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots.
After retiring from the NFL, Strahan has become a successful television personality, hosting the game show “The $100,000 Pyramid” and co-hosting the talk show “Live with Kelly and Michael.”
He was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Hamilton is a professional surfer and public speaker known for her determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. At the age of 13, she lost her left arm in a shark attack while surfing, but she refused to let this tragedy hold her back.
Against all odds, Hamilton returned to surfing just three weeks after the attack and eventually became a professional surfer, competing in numerous competitions and earning sponsorships from major brands.
In addition to her surfing career, Hamilton is also a public speaker, sharing her story of resilience and determination with audiences around the world. Through her speaking engagements and her book, “Soul Surfer,” she has inspired countless people to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams.
Cal Ripken Jr
Cal Ripken Jr. had a highly successful career as a professional baseball player, spending his entire 21-year career with the Baltimore Orioles. He is best known for breaking Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played, a feat that earned him the nickname “Iron Man.”
Ripken was a two-time American League Most Valuable Player and a 19-time All-Star. After retiring from baseball, he has remained active in the sport as a minor league team owner and as a spokesperson for various companies.
He is also known for his public speaking, often giving motivational speeches to corporate and community groups.
Martina Navratilova is a former professional tennis player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. During her career, she won a total of 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 major women’s doubles titles (an all-time record), and 10 major mixed doubles titles.
She was also the year-end world No. 1 in women’s singles a record nine times. In addition to her success on the court, Navratilova has also been an advocate for various causes, including LGBTQ rights and animal welfare.
As a public speaker, Navratilova has shared her experiences and insights on a variety of topics, including her career in tennis, her activism, and her personal journey.
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is a retired Canadian ice hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Throughout his career, he won four Stanley Cups and set numerous records, including the most goals, assists, and points in a single season. In addition to his on-ice accomplishments, Gretzky is also known for his public speaking skills and has given numerous motivational speeches and interviews. He has been praised for his ability to engage and inspire his audiences, and his words have resonated with people of all ages.
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