20 unforgettable commercials starring professional athletes

These four NFL beasts recreated Pepsi's Gladiator commercial alongside Megan Thee Stallion before beginning the 2024 season. In it, they fought tigers, tossed scoring passes, and caused cement beams to fall. Jefferson even did his signature "Griddy" dance.

After Team USA's epic win over France during the 2024 Olympics, Nike dropped an unforgettable ad featuring a Diana Taurasi voiceover. “It’s inspiring when we think about it,” the WNBA champion said. “Every four years, teams come from around the world to compete … for second place.”

What better way to promote his shoe line back in the day than in an iconic commercial where Shaq plays basketball against himself? In the Shaq versus Shaq clip, the former NBA player went up against himself in an epic showdown. "Who you guarding?" Shaq asked himself. "The big, good-looking guy," he replied.

Before his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny James appeared in a hilarious commercial alongside his dad, basketball champion LeBron James. In the clip, older James could be seen pulling a prank on Bronny by filling his car up with cereal before heading to the arena. "Hey, rook ... you better not be late," he said. "Yo, you're too old for this," Bronny replied.

A'ja Wilson is an unforgettable player, so it only makes sense that the WNBA star would take part in some electric commercials. Her partnership with CarMax, where she appeared alongside Sabrina Ionescu and Sue Bird, was notable, but her ad with Nike, in which she eyed the camera down while someone praised her for being the champ, was on another level. Like Nike said during the commercial ... winning isn't for everyone.

The latest Beats by Dre commercial , narrated by Angel Reese and featuring many of the company's top-profile athletes, including LeBron James and Shohei Ohtani, was one for the books. 

"It's called chasing your dreams for a reason," she said. "Living legends get it," she continued as b-roll footage of Lionel Messi played. "Y'all know walking double-doubles get it," she went on, referring to her record-breaking WNBA stat. "Grand slams, too," she finished, referring to the iconic Serena Williams. "So, what's stopping you?" 

Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm's commercial with Gatorade was quite remarkable. After all, who wouldn't want to see two of the greatest athletes going head-to-head on the floor?

The producers of Despicable Me 4 deserve all of the praise for convincing Nikola Jokic to say yes to appearing in a commercial for the film. In it, the NBA superstar reveals to a therapist that he's been having a hard time after minions keep confusing him for the movie's lead character, Gru. "Guys, I'm not your boss!"

It's hard not to be inspired by Caitlin Clark, and after watching her in this Gatorade commercial, watchers will likely feel that way, too. In the clip, the WNBA sensation reminded her fans that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. "I'm still that girl from Iowa," she said. "But now, it's my turn to inspire."

Basketball stars Anthony Edwards and Aliyah Boston are some of Adidas' biggest stars. Their latest commercials encouraging other ball players to take their shots have been some of the most motivating sports clips of 2024. "It's only a shot," they tell younger players during the height of a ball game. "Just throw it away." 

"They all got something to say," Jayson Tatum said in a Jordan commercial after winning the 2024 NBA championship. "That I don't have what it takes. That I'm not it. ... Can't win it all. Well, maybe they'll stop talking now." You have to admit, that's pretty tough.

Larry Bird appeared alongside Michael Jordan in a McDonald's commercial in the '90s. In the clip, the two NBA legends showcased their competitive natures while fighting on the court for a Big Mac. The producers rightfully titled this production "The Showdown."

Jordan's "RE2PECT" ad, which was a one-minute tribute featuring several notable names and faces paying homage to Derek Jeter, will always be one for the history books. When you have a New York native like Jay-Z tipping his hat to you, then you know you've really made it.

Muhammad Ali first said the quote, "Impossible Is Nothing," so it's understandable why Adidas would want the legendary boxer in its commercial promoting the slogan. Since then, other notable celebrities and athletes, including David Beckham, Trae Young, and Beyoncé, have starred in similar commercials. 

While promoting the 2024 NBA championship, Chicago Sky star Kamilla Cardoso appeared in a commercial alongside Angel Reese, where they said the room they were sitting in was reserved for "champs only." That's quite the flex if you ask me.

LeBron has starred in plenty of epic commercials, but he really showed out as Agent 1707 in a recent commercial alongside Victoria Justice. The name is "James," he said. "LeBron James."

These two NFL besties had an epic performance in a T-Mobile commercial three years ago. That's how they told the world they were coming back to the league to win another ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 2024 New Balance commercial featured several big-name athletes, including Coco Gauff, Shohei Ohtani, Cameron Brink, and others. It didn't have any dialogue, but that's okay. Seeing so many legends on the screen at once is a treat in itself.

Christian McCaffrey swears the NFL isn't trying to influence consumers into buying more food during game day. However, based on his many Uber Eats commercials with Matthew McConaughey, we'd beg to differ. It's a good thing we can't get enough of the 49ers running back, though. 

Joe Burrow's commercial for Kroger wasn't anything special, but the slogan, "Not Your Average Joe," eats.