The Most Powerful and Influential Couples in the Sports World, Ranked
Money, fame, and talent are strong enough on their own. When athletes find success, the spotlight is already blinding. Once you add a second star to the mix, their combined spotlight can feel unstoppable. These couples’ reach pulls them into pop culture in a way few individuals could manage alone. Together, they shape trends, boost entire leagues, and sometimes crash the internet.
This year, the list of power duos is more stacked than ever. Here are the 10 most powerful and influential couples in sports right now.
10. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Adam Chitayat
Dwyane Wade is a Hall of Famer with three NBA titles, and Gabrielle Union is a respected actress and producer. Together, they’ve built a family-focused brand that reaches far beyond basketball. Their influence comes through how they mix entertainment, activism, and parenting in public view. Between red carpet appearances and their work supporting LGBTQ+ rights, the Wades have earned their spot as one of sports’ most admired couples.
9. Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, and NFL safety Jonathan Owens tied the knot in 2023. Their story resonates because of how open they’ve been about mental health and resilience. Biles’ decision to step away from competition in 2021 was a turning point for how athletes address pressure, and Owens has been vocal about his own struggles.
8. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Chris Eason
Married since 2001, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are tennis legends with a combined 30 Grand Slam titles. They keep their personal lives low-profile, but their impact hasn’t faded. Graf’s dominance on the court and Agassi’s influence during his prime made them household names. Their influence shows through philanthropy, including Agassi’s work on education reform.
7. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods
Karl-Anthony Towns, now with the New York Knicks, has turned personal tragedy into motivation, and Jordyn Woods has grown into a force in fashion and wellness. Their relationship became public in 2020, and since then, they’ve been seen as an example of resilience and support. They’ve even faced scrutiny, but kept their composure.
6. Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne
Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace pitcher, and Livvy Dunne, the LSU gymnast turned influencer, are one of Gen Z’s favorite couples. Together, they’ve become a brand magnet. Their relationship went public in 2023, and by 2025, they were appearing together in GQ spreads. Dunne’s eight million TikTok followers make her one of the most marketable athletes of her generation.
5. Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird
Off the field, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird have been loud voices for equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice. They’ve been together for nearly a decade and remain among sports’ most respected couples. Their shared legacy is not only about championships, even though both have collected almost every major title in soccer and basketball, including World Cups, WNBA championships, and Olympic gold medals.
4. Stephen and Ayesha Curry
Stephen Curry is the NBA’s all-time three-point leader and a four-time champion, while Ayesha Curry has built a lifestyle empire as a cookbook author, TV host, and entrepreneur. They married in 2011 and now run the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which focuses on children’s health and education.
3. Russell Wilson and Ciara
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Drug Enforcement Administration
Russell Wilson and Ciara have become one of America’s most prominent sports-entertainment power couples. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback and his Grammy-winning partner got married in 2016, and their influence stretches across sports, music, and fashion. The couple is also active in philanthropy through the Why Not You Foundation, which supports youth initiatives.
2. Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson
This pairing is one of 2025’s most buzzed-about stories. Klay Thompson, a four-time NBA champion, confirmed his relationship with Megan Thee Stallion earlier this year. Megan is a Grammy-winning rapper with a huge following, and their public appearances together have made headlines across entertainment and sports media. It’s still a new relationship, but the star power here is undeniable.
1. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have taken over the spotlight like no other couple. Since going public in late 2023, Swift has been spotted at Chiefs games, and Kelce has been at her concerts. Their engagement in 2025 marked their place as the most talked-about pairing in sports and music. Swift is the world’s top pop star, and Kelce is one of the NFL’s biggest names with three Super Bowl wins.