The 25 Most Notorious Media Whores in Sports History

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How do you rank these people? Each one seems to hog all the camera attention when given any opportunity for face time. Some take the chance to plug their new endorsements, others boost their own rep like PR flacks, while others still take a moment to cry over the perceived attacks on their quarterback.

No matter the reason, these athletes and their accessories never shy away from the camera. Even TMZ won't put these athletes on TV anymore. They have taken it to the point where seeing them on television or hearing them on the radio is no longer news.

Reality TV series, foot fetishes and cross-dressing are just the beginning for these Tyrants of the Twilight, as Bleacher Report gives you....

The 25 Biggest Media Whores in Sports History.

Honorable Mention: Curt Schilling

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One of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball history, Schilling is also a controversial pick for a Media Whore. On one hand, he didn't cry on camera, but on the other, his bloody sock and propensity to show up at red carpet events and political press conferences are worth noting.

Schilling campaigned for President George W. Bush in 2004, and his organization, Curt's Pitch for ALS, allowed fans and organizations to sponsor him, donating to the ALS Association for every strikeout he threw. He also donated to the charity on a celebrity version of Jeopardy in 2006, his $25,000 winnings going directly to ALS research. 

So maybe "whore" is a strong word for Mr. Schilling, and maybe just "hoarder" will work for this honorable mention.

Honorable Mention: Geno Auriemma

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The UConn women's basketball coach has certainly benefited from his teams' success and subsequent media coverage. 

The Lady Huskies' leader seems to be a natural on camera and loves to entertain the crowd while attempting to make women's college basketball relevant.

In all seriousness, their winning streak is certainly one for the history books, a record that will likely stand for decades to come. Auriemma has to be doing something right if his team can win so many consecutive games.

Tip of the cap to you, Mr. Auriemma, and this is your moment in the spotlight.

25. Kyle Busch

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He currently holds the record for most NASCAR wins in a season between the top three NASCAR series with 21 wins, and you don't need to remind him.

Busch is known for his controversial driving style, multiple scuffles with competitors and outspoken personality. The name Kyle Busch and NASCAR have become synonymous, but Busch has also taken the opportunity to start The Kyle Busch Foundation, "providing essential tools for less fortunate children throughout the country."

"KBF will concentrate its efforts on assisting organizations in fostering a safe environment for children to live, learn and challenge themselves as well as seeing that day to day needs are met," according to the foundation.

It's amazing that something so good can come from something so obnoxious, like Busch's on-screen personality. Now that he has a charity, the only thing remaining for him is a Playgirl spread.

24. Bill Walton

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If Bill Walton's bright red, puffy hair and impossibly white skin didn't get your attention, his overly-assertive nature towards the cameras should have been a dead giveaway.

While somehow being a phenomenal athlete despite the amazingly strange look got your attention, Walton kept it with on-the-screen antics and off-the-court publicity stunts. Walton was a true '70s showman in every sense of the word. 

Immediately after finishing his NBA career, Walton became a broadcaster for NBC, a natural transition since all he had to do was trade a uniform for a shirt and tie—the camera was already permanently attached to his face.

23. Andre Agassi

During Agassi's successful career as a tennis player, he was also known for off-the-court antics including marrying Brooke Shields and Steffi Graf, and unfortunate drug abuse.

The outspoken mullet machine actually wore a wig and has been bald for years. He released an autobiography entitled Open, which chronicles his successes as a player and struggles with methamphetamines in the late '90s.  

Agassi often struggled through fits of rage and violent mood swings. His outbursts at officials and venue staff were consistently in the headlines, and endorsement deals, which he later confessed fueled his drug habit, dominated your TV set in the the '90s. 

In case you are wondering what has happened to Agassi, he is alive and well, and has passed his death-threat torch on to Serena Williams.

22. Hulk Hogan

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Surprised he isn't higher on the countdown? Why? It's the WWF/E, if you aren't flamboyant, you aren't a professional wrestler. 

However, add a reality TV series and multiple headlines for divorces and cradle-robbing, and you land on the list of Media Whores.

Hogan has made a career out of being on camera. He is a legend in the world of professional wrestling, and his battles with Rick Flair are the stuff of make-believe legend. 

Add in a large, but still hot, daughter, and Hogan has become a pop culture icon.

21. Rex Ryan

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Perhaps the most unwanting of people on this countdown, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has recently become the prime target of the media's newest big idea: 

A video has emerged on the viral wires of Ryan's wife, sitting in the driver's seat of an SUV with her feet out the window. The audio accompanying the video appears to be the voice of Rex Ryan, and the voice is commenting on her feet and an apparent fetish.

Ryan continues to deny comment on the rumors, saying it is a "personal matter," which is nearly an obtuse admission of the video. 

Oh, I can see it now, the signs fans will be caught on camera holding up behind the sidelines...If I'm Nick Folk, I'm not missing an extra point or a field goal until the Jets release me or fire Ryan.

20. Peyton Manning

Manning hits the list at No. 20, not necessarily because he craves the camera, but mostly because he's everywhere. 

While most athletes pick endorsement deals that may not warrant TV appearances, Manning thrives on the exposure. Guest spots on Saturday Night Live, commercials for a vast array of products and services, and carrying a solid speaking persona are just some of the reasons why Manning has become an attention whore. 

He's even roped in younger brother Eli, and if the brothers aren't careful, they might just become the most successful Media Whore combo in history. 

19. Stephon Marbury

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This one kind of goes without saying, but Marbury slips back to No. 19 because towards the end of his NBA career, he would have done anything to stay away from the camera. 

Multiple scuffles with teammates and coaches, a troubled personal life and alienation from everyone and everything in the NBA wouldn't compel anyone to be consistently caught on camera. 

However, earlier in his career, Marbury was starting a clothing line with partners, called "Starbury." He was all over local media outlets and the national scene to promote his line. However, the line has since failed and the company has filed for bankruptcy, which may be a guideline for Marbury's financial plan in the next few years.

18. Ron Artest

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Artest is another readily-recognizable name in the realm of overexposure. However, when diving deeper into his career on-camera, many of the events that have taken place were due to his rage issues and not necessarily his desire to be on camera.

However, many people compare Artest to his predecessor, Dennis Rodman, and say that he genuinely enjoys the spotlight. Artest has recently been in the press for seeking psychological therapy, citing the need to control his rage.

There are certainly parallels between the dynasty of the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, and the current success of the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest.

17. Pete Rose

No, that's not a monkey that's been taught to play baseball. It's Pete Rose in a banana hammock, and it was just as difficult for me to select this photo as it is for you to look at it and not be able to look away. 

Rose was a tremendous player and the most prolific hitter in MLB history, but gambling on baseball and lying about it has earned him a lifetime ban from the game. He is undoubtedly the best non-eligible player in MLB history not in the Hall of Fame....

...sorry I lost my train of thought when my eyes went back to this photo....moving on.

16. John Daly

Daly has had his struggles with drugs and alcohol, which makes videos like this less funny in no way at all. The portly golfer is the unfortunate victim of repeated camera moments he'd like to forget. 

While struggling away from the golf course, Daly certainly doesn't seem to mind being on camera—it's just the rest of us that would rather not see what he looks like with no shirt on. Although admittedly, it's better than seeing him in that dreadful "Orange Cream" get-up he donned a while back.

15. Alex Rodriguez

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I guess signing the most lucrative contract in the history of sports will get you a little bit of attention, but throw in slap fights with first basemen and tipping signs to the other team, and you have yourself a media winner, a.k.a. Alex Rodriguez.

Steroids, breaking up Madonna's marriage and dating Cameron Diaz sound like a deadly cocktail, but it just goes to show there's nothing this pretty boy can't accomplish, except keeping his raging testosterone in check. 

"I don't hate the Yankees, I just hate all their players except Mariano Rivera."

14. Allen Iverson

The media hasn't been kind to Allen Iverson, as much as he has tried to be nice to it. One of the most prolific scoring guards in NBA history, Iverson has been on camera more times than most, but surprisingly not for his accomplishments.

He once tried to release a rap single entitled 40 Bars, but it was so controversial and explicit that the league banned him from releasing it. He has been convicted of several assault and battery charges, including ones against his ex-wife, and is now playing in Turkey because no NBA team will hire him. 

"We talkin' 'bout PRACTICE, man."

13. Randy Moss

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Moss is one of the most prolific TD-scoring receivers in the history of the game, and he knows it. His case epitomizes what can happen if fortune and fame get to your head, and at every opportunity, Moss made sure viewers and fans were reminded just how good he was.

The receiver has a rap sheet that includes a quote about the 1970 Marshall plane crash: "It was a tragedy, but it really wasn't nothing big." He also ran over a traffic control officer while attempting to make an illegal turn and has been cited several times for marijuana possession.

Next up for Moss? An appearance in Scary Movie 6 as himself.

12. John McEnore

This just in: McEnroe blames rage on receding hair line. Just kidding, but seriously, John McEnroe is my hero.

In a game played with class, dignity, reserve and respect, McEnroe displayed none of those qualities over his illustrious career. As his hair slowly shrank, his ego never slinked away from the spotlight. Since his tennis career ended years ago, McEnroe has been seen in numerous commercials and motion pictures. 

During his career, McEnroe craved the spotlight. Since his career, it has come to him.

11. Kim Kardashian/Reggie Bush/Miles Austin/Kris Humphries

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"So Miles, what do you want to do today?"

"I don't know Reggie, what do you think, Ray J?"

"I know what you're thinking, but no, we can't do that again. It's Kris' turn."

Seriously, why is it still news when Kim Kardashian moves on to another athlete? Backtrack with me for a second here—why is she famous? The sex tape thing? Yeah, you're probably right. Paris Hilton is famous for the hotel chain, so why would Kim be famous for her Olympian father?

Why does she date athletes? Psh, like she's going to pay for her own plastic surgery? As if!

10. Charles Barkley

Haha oh man, I love Sir Charles. Not in that way, jerk. 

Charles Barkley will never be called the crown jewel of the NBA, but he is called the Round Mound of Rebound. Not sure if that has anything to do with him being a media whore, but it's just funny.

Anyway, you don't need me to explain why he is on this list, unless you live under a rock or have televsion-everywhere phobia.

In the true nature of Barkleyisms, we salute you Sir Charles, and support you with late night Taco Bell runs when the munchies are too much to handle.

9. Brett Favre

Yep, he's still around. 

Favre has single-handedly overshadowed one of the busiest MLB offseasons in recent history with news that he sent lewd pics of his extension to a former accessory of the New York Jets organization.

Before, we just complained that he hadn't retired and we had to hear about it every day. At least the Jets finally got another distraction, this time at the hands, or should I say feet, of Rex Ryan's wife. 

I truly hope NFL fans have had enough of this guy, so we can begin to celebrate his career and welcome him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

If Jenn Sterger was smart, she'd accept Favre's advances. It's obvious he never knows how to call it quits. Forget man's best friend, Favre is the most faithful pet she could ever have.

8. Jose Canseco

I would just like to note: This video has nothing to do with Canseco's media hoarding in the last few years, but you can't help but laugh at this video, and you cease to wonder why he craves the camera so much.

In 2005, Canseco made tidal waves in Major League Baseball when he released a biography with Jorge Delgado, Manuel Collado and Damaso Moreno entitled, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big.

To promote the book, Canseco was all over the media, basking in the attention his revelation had generated. Rather than take his licks and return to the game as a coach, Canseco forever changed the face of the game and made just a few bucks along the way.

7. Mike Tyson

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE, PLEASE WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK

 

Mike Tyson is one of the craziest S.O.B.s known to sport. Like so many boxers before him, Tyson has commanded the spotlight. What's the difference between him and legends like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman?

He dines on ears and steps on the testicles of children.

6. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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Many boxers make a living on media exposure. Plenty of their income depends on hyping potential matchups and bouts while promoting themselves as the "Greatest Ever."

But what happens when over-exposure and excess hype goes wrong? Floyd Mayweather Jr., that's what.

Mayweather is gradually scraping the bottom of the media world. His recent arrests and verbal tirades have been all over the sports world lately—not to mention, he craves the spotlight. 

In fact, I hope he isn't reading this right now. He might just challenge me to fight him because he needs money, and I need the fight like I need sandpaper underwear.

5. Tiger Woods

Woods is the prime example of how the media is not your friend. When you first meet, the media makes you a star and instills a confidence in you that makes you think you are invincible.

When you make choices in your private life that other people would want to know about, suddenly the media knows all your weaknesses, and just how to exploit them to make everyone else happy, and you the laughingstock of the world.

Enough with the serious talk: The world's best golfer getting caught for a sex addiction following a meaningless one-car collision with a tree is just plain comical. 

4. Chad Ochocinco

His last name is Ochocinco—do I really need to write out the rest of this caption? Sigh, fine.

The man took his career as a solid wide receiver and turned it into a reality TV series about him finding a wife. He legally changed his last name from the most common name in the country to Ochocinco, and genuinely loves to make sure people still know he's around while he drowns in Cincinnati.

3. LeBron James

No player in recent sports history has turned their own press conference and an interview on national television into an hourlong special to announce where they will be playing next season, except LeBron James.

Not to mention the appearances on TV and a music video of James in Hammer pants and decorated shades. James certainly thrives on the attention, claiming multiple endorsement deals along the way.

2. Terrell Owens

Massive designer shades couldn't hide the emotion pouring out of T.O.'s eyes as he curiously began crying during a press conference following a Cowboys loss.

Little did we know it would serve to promote his rep as a TV personality, and anyone can have their own reality TV series these days. Owens' career is thriving on the limelight, and he knows it.

1. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman indisputably wins the crown for Biggest Media Whore in the history of sports. Over a career, no one has been more prone to appear on camera for anything other than his performance on the court, field or ice. 

Rodman is known for cross-dressing, kicking cameramen in their manhood and dating Carmen Electra. Fame is a relative term for Rodman, because it loses all meaning when no one wants to talk about you anymore.

 

Also check out: The 50 Most Notorious Athlete Headcases in Sports