Social Media and Sports: The 25 Most Influential Twitter Accounts

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

I have been writing a lot about social media and MLB lately.

For a change of pace, I decided it would be interesting to look at the most influential Twitter accounts in the sports world.

In general, these rankings are based upon Klout Scores.

I merely compiled all of the data and ranked each account accordingly.

If your not familiar with Klout, they are a company that has devised a brilliant metric for determining online influence.

The three important elements of a Klout Score are: True Reach, Amplification Probability and Network Influence.

You can read more about the Klout score and how it is determined here.

No. 25 Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints)---NFL

Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @reggie_bush

Twitter Followers: 1,637,324

Klout Score: 80

PeerIndex Score: 66

Twitter Ranking: No. 179

 

 

Recent Tweets: It's been fun New Orleans. 

Congrats to Mark Ingram on being selected to New Orleans. He will be a great addition to the Saints backfield just as he was in Alabama

Did you guys see the green guy taunting the Chicago Blackhawks player in the penalty box last night?LMAO!! http://plixi.com/p/96614835

@Oneandonlycp3 out there looking like he been in a boxing match! Leaving it all on the line I respect that! Heart of a champion!

This white lady has her baby with her who's screaming and yelling and the black lady next to her is PISSED! LMAO! Gonna be a funny flight!

No. 24 Chris Jericho---WWE

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @IAmJericho

Twitter Followers: 288,721

Klout Score: 81

PeerIndex Score: 37

Twitter Ranking: No. 678

 

 

Recent Tweets: Fozzy is coming back to Toronto in June! Go to fozzyrock.com for details and info about all summer tourdates and VIP packages @fozzyrock

Sidewinder, nightmare and Beast Harlot- RT @Alleyezonme282 @IAmJericho what's ur favorite Avenged Sevenfold song? Mines Unholy Confessions

Stoked to be filling in for @nikkisixx on the Sixx Sense radio show next Wed! Its gonna be the ipso facto return of the Rock Of Jericho!

After watching Mondays tango, I'm a little confused as to what dance the judges were commenting on. Feeling a little ripped off right now...

Just want u guys to know that my votes went up a lot this week thanks to all of u! My exit was a lot closer than u might think...

No. 23 NHL

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @NHL

Twitter Followers: 580,636

Klout Score: 81

PeerIndexScore: 56

Twitter Rank: no. 570

 

 

Recent Tweets: #NHLDucks Perry, #Canucks D. Sedin & #TBLightning St. Louis named Hart Trophy finalists http://bit.ly/l0pPC6 #NHLAwards Who'd get your vote?

RT AnyChanceLand Victoria Beckham shows her @NHL #StanleyCupPlayoffs spirit by wearing a giant puck on her head to royal wedding! http://yhoo.it/knTdpB

Luongo robs Fisher on breakaway in Game #1 shutout. #VanNas Check it out! http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=112049

#NHLDucks Perry, #Canucks D. Sedin & #TBLightning St. Louis named Hart Trophy finalists http://bit.ly/l0pPC6 #NHLAwards Who'd get your vote?

Respect! Two star goalies show sportsmanship between periods. #BosMtl #NHLPlayoffs http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=111706

No. 22 Chelsea FC---Soccer

Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @chelseafc

Twitter Followers: 184,497

Klout Score: 81

PeerIndex Score: 61

Twitter Rank: No. 760

 

 

Recent Tweets: Salomon Kalou talks about his best goals, his end to the season and his country: http://bit.ly/mBG69c #CFC

Well, you wanted it, so here is a little David Luiz for you tweeps... http://bit.ly/fQDG56 #CFC

David Luiz has told me he wants to see his face on Chelseafc.com's home page... what do we think? #CFC

An update on Michael Essien's fitness following his injury against West Ham... http://bit.ly/dLjIiF #CFC

Here's the maanger's reaction to today's win: http://bit.ly/ged5zT

 

No. 21 Chicago Bulls---NBA

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @chicagobulls

Twitter Followers: 119,839

Klout Score: 81

PeerIndexScore: 63

Twitter Rank: No. 863

 

 

 

Recent Tweets: The Hawks 84-81 victory over Orlando means the Bulls will play Atlanta in Round 2 beg. Mon. http://Bulls.com/Playoffs for all Playoff info.

Not just a jump shooter... @KyleKorver is featured in the Werner Ladder Dunk of the Week (as promised by @swirsk054) http://bit.ly/btvpotw

Not sure, but stay tuned, we'll pass on info. as we get it. RT @sir_druha_2you: @chicagobulls when do they announce the league mv

Postgame analysis from @SamSmithHoops "Bulls finish off Pacers in five" http://bit.ly/fN3SRY

RT NBA Bulls/Pacers series in the books. Here's our #wordcloud of tweets. TRIVIA: Who did we most associate "Clutch" with? http://on.nba.com/fjgWra

No. 20 Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers)---NBA

Harry How/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @RealLamarOdom

Twitter Followers: 1,415,793

Klout Score: 81

PeerIndexScore: 72

Twitter Rank: No. 235

 

 

Recent Tweets: Great win! Thanks 4 the support Laker Nation! Back 2 LA

Support us through the playoffs fam! Let's get a win tonight! http://powerbalance.moontoast.com/estore/embed/184/facebook

Happy Birthday! RT @affiliated_Ink: @RealLamarOdom what's good fam, can I get a birthday retweet.

Thanks Bruh! Good luck! RT @Ty2Nyce: Good to see my fellow Queens natives, @RealLamarOdom & Ron Ron, ... http://tmi.me/9rtBX

What's good Twit Fam? Just got a cut and read the playoff issue of Slam Mag. Gettin' ready 4 the game tonite! http://plixi.com/p/96221607

No. 19 MLB

Pool/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @MLB

Twitter Followers: 1,199,257

Klout Score: 81

PeerIndex Score: 81

Twitter Ranking: No. 309

 

 

Recent Tweets: Ben Zobrist had eight RBIs today. This is what they looked like … http://atmlb.com/mfCGOP

Here's Nick Blackburn doing the old slide n' scoop maneuver to get the runner out at home ... http://atmlb.com/l3zl4M

White Sox stars Gordon Beckham and Adam Dunn are stopping by the MLB Fan Cave today at noon ET. Tweet @MLBFanCave your questions.

Do you even need to guess who hit the Dodgers' 10th-inning, game-winning homer? ... http://atmlb.com/lvQJxz (It's Andre Ethier)

Watch Joey Votto take Yovani Gallardo deep and then learn all the different things the letter "V" stands for ... http://atmlb.com/m96LGo

No. 18 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)---Soccer

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @Wazzaroon08

Twitter Followers: 314,390

Klout Score: 82

PeerIndex Score: N/A

Twitter Ranking: No. 665

 

 

Recent Tweets: Gonna get my lawyers to deal with phone hacking until end of season. So I can focus on helping MUFC win trophies. Thx for all ur support

@yolkie_ filming new tv ad for FIFA 12 end of this month. Trust me this will be best FIFA game ever

Just watching lion king with Kai for the 100th time haha. Still not bored of it though. Think I like it more than him haha

@themichaelowen is getting worked on ronnie osullivan snooker on iPad. I am destroying him haha

Celebrity juice time. Keith lemon. Funniest man on tv.

No. 17 Esporte Interativo

Twitter Handle: @Esp_Interativo

Twitter Followers: 229,792

Klout Score: 82

PeerIndex Score: N/A

Twitter Rank: No. 715

 

 

Recent Tweets: Não deixe de participar da transmissão da NBA! Deixe seu comentário na nossá página no Facebook em http://on.fb.me/f6U3k9

ZICO NA ÁREA! O que acharam da estreia do programa do Galinho? Comente com "Zico" no seu texto!

RT wedsonsalvador @Esp_Interativo Rapaz tou assistindo o #zico na rede bom debate.Parabéns zico e muito sucesso =)

Vamo botar o Zico nos Trending Topics? Mande sua mensagem sobre o programa com "Zico" no tweet e daremos RT nos mais legais!

ZICO NA ÁREA! Assista AGORA a estreia do novo programa do @esp_interativo! Convidado: Bebeto! Veja em http://bit.ly/stxIB e dê RT!

No. 16 WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)

Twitter Handle: @WWE

Twitter Followers: 330,379

Klout Score: 82

PeerIndex Score: 70

Twitter Ranking: No. 651

 

 

Recent Tweets: #WWE VIDEO: Raw: The Rock celebrates his birthday live on Raw - This Monday http://wwe.me/1coAwC

Don’t miss #WWE Extreme Rules this Sunday, only on PPV! Watch the HD live stream on WWE.com, here’s how: http://wwe.me/4JLJj #WWERules

#WWE VIDEO: Extreme Rules: Randy Orton and CM Punk square off in a Last Man Standing Match - This Sunday http://wwe.me/1cokSm

Predictions for @WWE Extreme Rules begin today on the official http://Facebook.com/WWE page. SmackDown your votes! #WWERules

RT TitusNXT Please pray for those that were affected by the tornadoes in Alabama.Be grateful 4what u have in life bc there is always some1 that has less

No. 15 FC Barcelona---Soccer

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @FCBarcelona

Twitter Followers: 514,572

Klout Score: 82

PeerIndex Score: 60

Twitter Rank: No. 587

 

 

Recent Tweets: Players in Barcelona enjoy win too http://bit.ly/jc4xLZ #FCBarcelona

Messi steps up amongst the Barça greats http://bit.ly/iQm8yG #FCBarcelona

RM 0 FCB 2; two 2nd half goals from Leo Messi give Barça an historic victory over Madrid and move them closer to Wembley #fcblive

min 87; Leo Messi dances around the entire Madrid defence before slipping the ball past Casillas to score a wonderful goal #fcblive

World press hails Barça and Messi http://bit.ly/kuRcJu #FCBarcelona

No. 14 John Cena---WWE

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @JohnCena

Twitter Followers: 533,626

Klout Score: 83

PeerIndexScore: N/A

Twitter Ranking: No. 578

 

 

Recent Tweets: No sir.... I am a WWE superstar....and damn proud of it. Anything else that may come with that is just bonus.

I do...and I miss those days but as the USMC says "Adapt and Overcome."

I don't even know how to work an iphone but I got one with app installed. Great was to pass the time. Wonder who broski of week is this

Saw great things out of ziggler, morrison, evan, Sheamus, and D.B. this makes the draft 2 morrow that much more exciting .

For your last match to be a championship win at WrestleMania ...is a damn good finish to one helluva career.

No. 13 Los Angeles Lakers---NBA

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @Lakers

Twitter Followers: 1,976,065

Klout Score: 83

PeerIndex Score: 61

Twitter Rank: No. 105

 

 

Recent Tweets: STATS: Kobe 24pts 2asts 3stls. @AndrewBynum 18pts 12rebs 2blks. @paugasol 16pts 8rebs 2blks. LA dominates the offensive glass 14-7.

RT @paugasol: Great win tonight. The Hornets gave us a tough series, it's helped us get better. Time to get ready for our next rival.

RT LakersReporter Dominance of LAL's bench to start 4th (15-6 run) may keep Kobe (22 P) from his 9th straight 30+ point close out game.

Lakers close out another series on the road, defeating @hornets 98-80 to advance to the 2nd round. They'll play the winner of DAL/POR.

15 hours after finishing off Game 5 the Lakers have finished their morning practice & are loading up the team plane headed back to NOLA.

No. 12 SportsCenter (ESPN)

Twitter Handle: @SportsCenter

Twitter Followers: 844,636

Klout Score: 83

PeerIndex Score: 71

Twitter Rank: no. 462

 

 

Recent Tweets: Herm's final thought - So we know Cam Newton went first overall - but, really - who had the best watch? #NFLDraft

#Browns trade up with #Chiefs to take Phil Taylor (DT, Baylor) - Herm - Need 2 guys to block Taylor. Not surprised KC traded down.

RT AdamSchefter Bottom line: No free-agent signings during draft, no player trades during draft, only pick trades during draft. Free agency could start Mon.

#NFLDraft - Did You Know: Cam Newton - Heisman, National Champ & 1st overall draft pick in same academic year? http://twitpic.com/4qczn0

#MLB - #Dodgers owner Frank McCourt blasts Bud Selig - http://es.pn/lJxlZM

No. 11 LeBron James (Miami Heat)---NBA

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @KingJames

Twitter Followers: 1,756,953

Klout Score: 83

PeerIndex Score: 71

Twitter Ranking: No. 149

 

 

Recent Tweets: This is hilarious, the interviewer's face is priceless http://bit.ly/hDB0l8 shout out to @takeasheet.

RT @RichPaul4: Great dinner tonight with @KingJames and @dwadeofficial, always fun times!!(yes sir!! Best of times)

Great win last night and new episode of The LeBrons today www.youtube.com/watch?v=coHmU2qrQVI #itsagoodday

Man 2morrow can't get here fast enough. Tried to sleep today away after my work day was done til the morning, didn't work! Haaaaa.

Today is the launch day for #theLebrons. Go check em out and let me know what u guys think

No. 10 Ricardo Kaka (Real Madrid)---Soccer

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @KAKA

Twitter Followers: 3,617,093

Klout Score: 84

Peer Index Score: 64

Twitter Rank: No. 30

 

 

Recent Tweets: Boa mestre !! “@Branquinho: I'm feeding 400 hungry children with the cost of my favorite meal. How many can YOU feed?

Let’s make Easter a special day feeding  hungry kids. Their future is in our hands. God bless you !! @wefeedback http://bit.ly/g3yBL8

Linda foto, meus amores !! RT @cacelico: ultimas semanas antes da Isabella chegar! Para que inspire a mtos sobre a VIDA http://t.co/6pBq8s6

@HugoGloss muchas gracias !! Ganhou teu presente ne ? Ficou feliz com nosso titulo quarta ?

Vamos aproveitar essa pascoa e alimentar milhoes de crianças ?? O futuro delas esta nas nossa maos. @wefeedback http://bit.ly/g3yBL8

No. 9 NBA

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @NBA

Twitter Followers: 2,497,398

Klout Score: 84

Peer Index Score: 90

Twitter Rank: No. 63

 

 

Recent Tweet: Night of the #CloseOut continues as #Mavs finish off #Blazers 103-96 & will face #Lakers in Western Conf. Semis #NBAPlayoffs

Get to TNT RT @sekousmithnba: The Blazers are going to try and pull off some 4th quarter magic again. Mavs better dig in right now

RT SekouSmithNBA Gerald Wallace is playing for Alabama tonight. Saw him before the game. He's playing with a heavy heart tonight after those storms.

Down to wire on NBA TV... #Hawks 82 #Magic 81 w/ 34.1 sec remaining #NBAPlayoffs

Strong finish to 1st half for #Lakers (14-6 run) to take 40-34 lead over #Hornets into break on TNT. Kobe 9 pts #NBAPlayoffs

No. 8 Bill Simmons (Sports Journalist)---ESPN

Twitter Handle: @sportsguy33

Twitter Followers: 1,389,667

Klout Score: 84

Peer Index Score: 91

Twitter Rank: No. 243

 

Recent Tweets: My dad wants to get drunk and pretend that New England had New Orleans' draft.

Suh and Fairley???? We need another Eminem commercial - Detroit is back!!!!!! This is a wildly entertaining draft.

BS Report: @adamcarolla and I spend nearly as much time breaking down "Fast Five" as the movie lasted. http://es.pn/jtphaK

Wow. Does Bob Delaney know about You Tube? We can put this pro-SA calls online in a sequence, Bob. I'd ease up a little, buddy.

I have some bad news for @blakegriffin ... I hooked up with my ex Kevin Durant tonight. We might be getting back together.

No. 7---Ronaldo (Retired)---Soccer

Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @ClaroRonaldo

Twitter Followers: 1,594,340

Klout Score: 85

PeerIndex Score: 57

Twitter Rank: No. 191

 

 

Recent Tweet: Galera, o dia foi ótimo aqui em Belém, obrigado ao povo e ao pessoal da Claro, que me receberam muito bem aqui. Espero voltar logo!

Eai curtiram , Na trasmissao da globo ? O Messi joga demais !!!!! Parabens ao barca!!

meus seguidores de belem ,onde tem um lugar com todos os sucos de fruta da regiao?lembro q qndo estive aqui com a selecao tomei os melhores!

Acabamos de encontrar a equipe de vendas da Claro de Belem! Daqui a pouco entrego os premios da promo recarga fenomenal !5 carros !!

RT biaantony As 4 feiras, às 20h na www.clictv.uol.com.br "Alterna-Vida"com Zaquie. Curando c/ consciencia. Emocoes, mente e corpo. www.zaquie.com

No. 6 ESPN

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @espn

Twitter Followers: 1,216,032

Klout Score: 85

Peer Index Score: 83

Twitter Rank: No. 303

 

 

Recent Tweets: The Carolina @Panthers just took Cam Newton #1 overall. Good pick? #NFLDraft

RT notthefakeSVP First newsroom WOW. Locker, huh ? Good for him.

Microphone, check. Notes, check. Hair gel, check. @MelKiperESPN is ready to rock - http://twitpic.com/4qoa61 #NFLDraft

Major League Baseball is reviewing Ozzie Guillen tweeting after getting ejected - http://es.pn/kD4XPV

"Press Hop 2" (@SportsNation's Sports REMIX) is up for a #Webby Award. Show some love. Vote for it here-> http://bit.ly/hPiZND

No. 5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF)---Soccer

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @Cristiano

Twitter Followers: 2,628,834

Klout Score: 85

PeerIndex Score: 84

Twitter Rank: No. 56

 

 

Recent Tweets: Mourinho's positive energy makes him a great coach, and we have a trophy to show our success! http://say.ly/pIFgIO

Join with other fans to cheer @realmadrid to victory against Zaragoza this Saturday. http://say.ly/VeBhYe

Here is one of my interviews for Real Madrid. What do you think? http://say.ly/WcpgeV

Every match, I play to enjoy myself and do my best for the team. My Safari boots help me do this and are very import... http://say.ly/pzHfCg

The team is very happy with today's result. We have reason to celebrate but need to be focused in the second leg. Thanks for supporting.

No. 4 Neymar (Santos FC)---Soccer

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @Njr92

Twitter Followers: 906,260

Klout Score: 87

PeerIndex Score: N/A

Twitter Rank: No. 432

 

 

Recent Tweets: esse seu jeito mexe comigo ... "Eu to apaixonado ,eu to contando tudo e nao to nem ligando pro vão dizer"

Infelizmente não deu pra assistir a matéria do Globo esporte com o @ivan_more ... Depois vou ver pela net

"calma amor, por favor é melhor ficar de boa, um pouquinho de ciúmes é bom, mais muito nao"

Daqui a pouco heim !!! Vai passar um comercial da Nextel comigo na AXN e no intervalo do O Aviador na TNT as oito da noite. Show!

“@ivanfera: @camiiisvelasco @Njr92 calma J..... por favor é melhor ficar de boa!!” @JotaC92 kkkkkkk

No. 3 Real Madrid CF---Soccer

Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @realmadrid

Twitter Followers: 1,556,217

Klout Score: 88

PeerIndex Score: 82

Twitter Rank: No. 201

 

 

Recent Tweets: Vuelta a los entrenamientos en Valdebebas http://bit.ly/ktujwF #realmadrid

Mourinho: “Ahora tengo más ganas todavía de seguir aquí por todo lo que significa este club” http://bit.ly/lTmQLC #realmadrid

Última sesión antes de medirse al Zaragoza http://bit.ly/kD7O8S #realmadrid

La Fundación Realmadrid renovó su convenio con las escuelas en Colombia http://bit.ly/mwTEJN #realmadrid

El Corazón Classic Match 2011 enfrentará a los veteranos del Real Madrid y el Bayern http://bit.ly/joalJM #realmadrid

No. 2 Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals)---NFL

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @ochocinco

Twitter Followers: 1,958,864

Klout Score: 88

PeerIndex Score: 29

Twitter Rank: No. 107

 

 

Recent Tweets: Prayer #1 answered getting a beast at wide receiver in AJ Green,God please answer pray #2 __________

Just walked in #ClubOpera in Atlanta and once again with this only being my 5th visit to ATL I take my hat off and salute the A #WOW

Depending on what team you are a fan of who would you like to see your team take if they haven"t picked to this point yet?

This is what today's workout on Georgia Tech field consist of!! #Torture http://twitpic.com/4qjlaa

@PRSportsGirl tell Tyler Perry to call me, I missed his call thee other day, I'm lying but tell him call me anyway about my next role :)

No. 1 Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)---Soccer

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Twitter Handle: @rioferdy5

Twitter Followers: 892,471

Klout Score: 89

PeerIndex Score: 87

Twitter Rank: No. 437

 

 

Recent Tweets: If u ever see me go off on a stretcher then run back on to play i give every1 on here the green light to hit me with a #2footedtackle !

BBQ on the go....hope the family like a bit of burnt chicken!! Masterchef at work!! http://plixi.com/p/96748793

The winner of the Five Star Holiday to Cyprus for 2 has been chosen and will be announced here later today. Watch this space. Ooof!!

A funny name is a funny name tweeps no matter where its from....some eeeeeeeediot touchy people on here tonight!

Royal Wedding...good luck to Kate + Wills hope it goes smooth. Alexander McQueen they saying made the dress-great choice if so.

Wrap-Up

Angel Martinez/Getty Images

As you can see...soccer rules sports on Twitter. This shouldn't be too much of a surprise given its international fan base.

The NBA also has a huge influence on Twitter as well.

MLB and the NHL have some work to do, but two accounts that just missed the cut were the San Francisco Giants and the Vancouver Canucks.

ESPN has the media side of sports covered on Twitter with three accounts ranking in the Top 25.

I'm also surprised to see the WWE with such a big presence, but to be honest I know nothing about wrestling.

I would love to hear your opinions and feedback.

...and of course you can find me on Twitter: @Raysinbanners