• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Ronaldo, Brady Among Athletes Riding MrBeast’s YouTube Success

Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has 334 million YouTube subscribers—and some of the world’s best athletes were featured in his latest video.

Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson MrBeast takes photos with fans before a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Some of the world’s top athletes are looking to Jimmy Donaldson, known online as MrBeast, to build their social media presence, particularly on YouTube.

Donaldson—who has more than 334 million YouTube subscribers, the most on the platform—posted a video on Saturday titled “Beat Ronaldo, Win $1,000,000” featuring top sports stars across several sports: Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady, Noah Lyles, Bryce Harper, and Bryson DeChambeau. The video has amassed more than 75 million views as of 2 p.m. ET on Dec. 2.

The YouTuber pitted the star athletes in exhibition competitions with non-professionals for a $100,000 prize. The prize would go to a charity if the professionals won. The non-pros, who ranged from a high school football player to TikTok star Eric Justice Befumo, known as Big Justice, were given an advantage to even the playing field. 

But as seen from the title, Ronaldo was the main attraction, and Donaldson called him “the most popular person I’ve ever had in a video.” The soccer superstar donned the jersey of Al Nassr FC, but lost a $1 million shootout to a fan named Khalid at Al-Awwal Park in Saudi Arabia. 

The 39-year-old soccer legend, who is the most-followed person on Instagram, launched his YouTube account in August and has already amassed 70 million subscribers. He posted a video with Donaldson on his account on Nov. 21 that broke 50 million views and is his second-most-watched video. He posted another video with Donaldson on Nov. 30 that showed the two facing off in a soccer exhibition and is his fifth-most-watched video with more than 21.5 million views.

Of the athletes featured in Donaldson’s video, DeChambeau has the largest YouTube following with more than 1.63 million subscribers. Lyles and Brady each have more than 200,000, while Harper does not have a personal channel. Lyles also featured MrBeast and IShowSpeed, another popular streamer, on one of his most viewed videos, while DeChambeau’s latest video was with Brady.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Netflix Christmas GameDay cake seen after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

‘We Didn’t Get a Test Run’: Greg Olsen on Netflix NFL Christmas..

Greg Olsen said the game was uncharted territory for him.
Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.

YouTube’s Revised NFL Game Rating Still Has Fox, ESPN Execs Upset 

Adjusted viewership metrics from the streamer reignited debate about the game.

Ryder Cup Boost Hitting This Week’s PGA, European Tour Events

The Procore Championship and BMW PGA Championship are benefiting.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
exclusive
September 16, 2025

ESPN, Fox One Added 1M Sign-Ups in First 10 Days After Launch

The two high-profile streaming services have strong starts with consumers.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.
September 15, 2025

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.
September 15, 2025

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Las Vegas Aces
September 15, 2025

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.
September 15, 2025

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.