From athletes and coaches to advocates and investors, these are the people shaping sports today, says Time Magazine.
Time included IU football coach Curt Cignetti on the list of the Top 100 most influential people in sports, including him as one of the “titans.”
Here’s what Time said about Cignetti:
Two words will forever be associated with Curt Cignetti, who led Indiana to its first national football championship in January: “Google me.” That’s what Cignetti said at the national-signing-day press conference in 2023 when asked how he was going to sell his vision for the Hoosiers to high school recruits and players in the transfer portal. His point: he was a winner, as evidenced by the success he enjoyed at smaller programs, most recently James Madison, which he led to a 41-8 record across four seasons and appearances in the AP Top 25 rankings in 2022 and 2023. Indiana, known more for basketball, hadn’t done much in football, but Cignetti blew past all expectations. With Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza under center, Indiana finished the 2025 season 16-0. After Indiana’s 27-21 victory over Miami in the title game, Google added a delightful Easter egg at the top of the results page for those who searched for Cignetti: “Yup, he won.”
This was the inaugural TIME100 Sports, a list recognizing the 100 most influential figures shaping the global sports landscape.
TIME Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley said: “The inaugural TIME100 Sports list recognizes individuals who are not only excelling in their fields, but also shaping culture, expanding opportunity, and influencing the world far beyond competition.”
To celebrate the reveal of the new list, TIME will host the first-ever TIME100 Sports Gala on July 16 in New York City. The event will feature remarks and appearances from members of the inaugural TIME100 Sports list, including four-time NBA champion LeBron James; Olympic gymnastics champion Jordan Chiles; world-champion figure skater Ilia Malinin; NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, soccer star Trinity Rodman; NBA All-Star Jalen Brunson; Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn; NFL star Myles Garrett and many more.
The TIME100 Sports Gala red carpet will be livestreamed, featuring interviews with select list-makers and special guests. Hosted by a presenter to be announced, and produced by TIME Studios, the livestream will be available to watch on TIME’s YouTube, Instagram and X accounts.
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