Rich Paul, the influential agent behind Klutch Sports Group, recently stirred up some buzz with his comments on the Game Over podcast hosted by Max Kellerman. In a discussion that’s making waves, Paul questioned the global fame of New York Yankees' star Aaron Judge, despite Judge's status as the reigning AL MVP.
Paul's argument hinged on the distinction between being "popular" and truly "famous." He suggested that true fame means being instantly recognizable on the streets of a foreign country. To illustrate his point, Paul highlighted Los Angeles Dodgers' sensation Shohei Ohtani as someone who embodies this level of fame.
“Athletes are extremely popular, but most aren’t famous. You think Aaron Judge is famous?
I think Shohei is famous. I don’t think Aaron Judge is famous,” Paul remarked.
He didn't stop there. Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes also found himself part of the conversation. Paul acknowledged Mahomes and Judge as two of the most popular athletes in America but questioned their international recognition.
“I think Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Judge are two of the most popular athletes in America. Now famous?
Meaning that you can show up in a foreign country and people know who you are? I don’t know about that,” he added.
Using Ohtani as the benchmark for fame might seem a bit unfair, given his unique status in the sports world. Ohtani is a rare talent whose global recognition is bolstered by numerous brand partnerships, making his face a familiar sight worldwide.
In contrast, while Judge and Mahomes are household names in the U.S., their recognition might not extend as far in countries where baseball and American football aren't as prevalent. This brings an interesting perspective to the conversation about what it truly means to be "famous" on a global scale.
Paul’s comments invite us to ponder the nuances of fame in the world of sports, where popularity at home doesn't always translate to international stardom.