Image Source: Rustin Dodd,Jayson Jenks,Elise Devlin
Key Takeaways:
- The list of the 40 most admired leaders in sports features a diverse range of coaches, players, and executives from various sports and leagues.
- The top 5 most admired leaders are Steve Kerr, Dawn Staley, Steph Curry, Geno Auriemma, and Andy Reid.
- The list highlights the importance of leadership qualities such as communication, empathy, adaptability, and a strong work ethic.
- Many of the leaders on the list have achieved great success in their respective sports, but it’s their character, values, and leadership style that have earned them the admiration of their peers.
- The list includes a mix of established leaders and younger, up-and-coming leaders who are making a name for themselves in their sports.
Introduction to the List
The Athletic’s Peak desk has compiled a list of the 40 most admired leaders in sports, featuring a diverse range of coaches, players, and executives from various sports and leagues. The list was compiled by surveying 116 participants, including Hall of Fame coaches, current and former professional players, leadership experts, and executives. As noted by the article, "We picked the phrase ‘most admired’ because it is intentionally vague. You don’t have to know someone to admire them. You can also admire leaders for different reasons: The way they communicate, the way they handle adversity or the spotlight, and, of course, their success."
The Top 5 Leaders
The top 5 most admired leaders on the list are Steve Kerr, Dawn Staley, Steph Curry, Geno Auriemma, and Andy Reid. Steve Kerr, the coach of the Golden State Warriors, is known for his ability to communicate with empathy and manage a roster of superstars. As Tara VanDerveer, former Stanford women’s basketball coach, noted, "In the pros, you’re going to trade people, but I think he’s loyal to the person, and he’s also true to the team in that he has to make tough decisions that are all about making the team better." Dawn Staley, the coach of the South Carolina women’s basketball team, is a trailblazer in women’s sports and has built a powerhouse program. Steph Curry, the guard for the Golden State Warriors, is a four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP who is known for his steady, collaborative, and joyful leadership style. Geno Auriemma, the coach of the UConn women’s basketball team, has built a dynasty and is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. Andy Reid, the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, is a masterful teacher and player’s coach who has built a dynasty with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Leadership Qualities
The list highlights the importance of leadership qualities such as communication, empathy, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. Many of the leaders on the list have achieved great success in their respective sports, but it’s their character, values, and leadership style that have earned them the admiration of their peers. As Jeff Polzer, a professor at Harvard, noted, "From what I can see from the outside, it looks like Sam Presti is always learning, including from places outside of the sports world, and I think he encourages everyone inside his organization to do the same thing." This ability to learn and adapt is a key characteristic of many of the leaders on the list.
Established and Up-and-Coming Leaders
The list includes a mix of established leaders and younger, up-and-coming leaders who are making a name for themselves in their sports. For example, Emma Hayes, the coach of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, is a highly respected leader who has achieved great success in her career. On the other hand, leaders like Jalen Hurts, the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, are younger leaders who are quickly making a name for themselves in their sports.
Conclusion
The list of the 40 most admired leaders in sports is a testament to the importance of leadership in achieving success in sports. The leaders on the list have demonstrated a range of qualities, including communication, empathy, adaptability, and a strong work ethic, that have earned them the admiration of their peers. As the article notes, "The consistent, steady emotions and the projection of no ego" are key characteristics of many of the leaders on the list, including Mike Brey, the assistant coach of the Atlanta Hawks, who noted that Andy Reid’s leadership style is characterized by "the consistent, steady emotions and the projection of no ego." Whether established or up-and-coming, these leaders are making a lasting impact on their sports and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6945825/2026/01/15/top-leaders-in-sports-2025-most-admired/