10 Most Followed Female Athletes On Instagram
There are billions of sports fans around the world and as 700 million of us actively use Instagram every month, there is a huge opportunity for fans to get closer to their favourite female athletes.
At PledgeSports, we work with athletes to raise money, but also raise their online profile and make them more attractive to sponsors and endorsements. However, the list of 10 athletes below is on a whole other level to every other athlete when it comes to social media presence.
Here’s a countdown of the 10 Most Followed Female Athletes On Instagram.
10. Natalya Neidhart – 2.6 million
In at number 10 on our list of most followed female athletes on Instagram is WWE star, Natalya Neidhart.
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Clearly, after 10 years of gracing our screens as a pro wrestler, Natalya has built quite the loyal following for herself.
9. Sania Mirza – 3.3 million
Perhaps the most remarkable Indian tennis player and one of the most popular athletes in India, Sania Mirza celebrated 80 consecutive weeks as No. 1 women’s doubles player in the world earlier this year.
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It’s no surprise she’s one of the most followed female athletes on Instagram.
8. Simone Biles – 3.5 million
At 8 on our list of most followed female athletes on Instagram is Simone Biles.
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The 19-year-old set an American record for most gold medals in a single Olympics Games at Rio 2016, becoming the most decorated female U.S. gymnast ever in the process.
7. Natalie Eva Marie – 3.8 million
The pro wrestler’s biggest news outside the ring happened to be (other than dying her iconic red hair dark this summer) the launch of her own fashion line and the nonprofit foundation.
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Natalie does a huge amount of charity work, which has gained her a lot of respect, placing her among the most followed female athletes on Instagram.
6. Paige – 3.9 million
Holder of the longest reign as WWE’s NXT Women’s Champion, Paige’s popularity is through the roof. She had a rough 2016, undergoing neck surgery and failing a drugs test.
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But. the fans still have her back and their support puts Paige on the brink of the top 5 most followed female athletes on Instagram.
5. Alex Morgan – 4.9 million
In addition to leading America in the Rio Olympics and finishing the season as a suitable nominee for the 2016 Female Soccer Player of the year, Alex joined her teammates this year to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions, accusing the US Soccer Federation of wage discrimination on behalf of the whole US Women’s National Team.
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4. Brie Bella – 5.1 million
As a semi-retired wrestling star, Brie has had more time to spend with former WWE Champions Daniel Bryan, and their new baby girl.
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Brie’s Instagram now shows off more of her family life and philanthropic efforts than the training pictures that have gone before. Still, her fanbase continues to grow and she makes the top 5 of the most followed female athletes on Instagram.
3. Serena Williams – 6 million
At number 3 on our list of most followed female athletes on Instagram is the legendary Serena Williams. Williams won the Australian Open in 2017— beating Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles which Williams had equalled last summer after lifting Wimbledon.
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Furthermore, she set the record for most weeks spent at No.1 in the world with 186.
2. Nikki Bella – 6.2 million
The top-followed pro wrestler on our list of most followed female athletes on Instagram, Nikki Bella was sidelined for the first half of 2016 after extensive surgery on a neck injury. After 10 months out of the ring, the WWE star made a surprise return at WWE’s SummerSlam and she hasn’t looked back since.
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1. Ronda Rousey – 9.7 million
The UFC star has had an up and down 12 months. After suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Holly Holm in 2015 meant subsequently losing her Bantamweight belt, Rousey took all of 2016 off from fighting and lived completely out of the public eye. Her return to fighting Decemberber 2016 resulted in a second consecutive loss, this time at the hands on Amanda Nunes.
Still, she remains incredibly popular in UFC and sporting circles, boasting the No.1 spot on the list of most followed female athletes on Instagram.
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