Sports & Entertainment
Sports & Entertainment
Latinos have made a profound impact on the sports, fashion, and entertainment industries, showcasing exceptional talent, creativity and influence that resonate across the United States and the globe. From celebrated athletes breaking barriers to influential artists shaping global music and film, Latino contributions continue to shape and enrich our nation’s cultural landscape.
Sports
Latino players and athletes have brought their talents and cultural backgrounds into mainstream sports, transforming styles of play, fan engagement, and community involvement. The impact of Latinos in America’s sports landscape is undeniable, with legendary figures such as Roberto Clemente, Fernando Valenzuela, and Albert Pujols in baseball, Pelé and Lionel Messi in soccer, Manu Ginóbili, Carmelo Anthony and Karl Anthony Towns in basketball, Anthony Muñoz and Jim Plunkett in football, and Oscar De La Hoya and Félix “Tito” Trinidad in boxing.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2024, Latinos comprised 40% of the U.S. viewing audience for the UEFA Euro Finals, and represented 15% of the viewers who watched both the World Series and the Super Bowl.4
Fashion
Latinos have profoundly influenced the fashion industry, with designers like Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera serving as cornerstones of the industry, with emerging designers like Willy Chavarria, Raul Lopez, and Brenda Equihua continuing to inspire and shape global fashion trends.
Although significantly underrepresented on- and off-screen, Latinos continue to power the film industry market, making up 24% of box office ticket sales and streaming subscribers.5
Zoe Saldaña ©Julie Edwards
Entertainment
Latino entertainers are redefining their respective fields, while inspiring audiences across the U.S. and the world with their unique talents, stories, and perspectives. Artists like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Guillermo del Toro and Bad Bunny have revolutionized the Broadway, film, and music industries, while celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez are continuing to break new ground for female entertainers, exemplifying the power of representation and the remarkable impact of Latino artistry.
Latin music is the fastest-growing genre in the U.S., surpassing $1.4 billion in revenue in 2023.6
Bad Bunny. ©Mario Colón
Community Engagement
Latino celebrities like Lin-Manuel Miranda, America Ferrera, John Leguizamo, and Eva Longoria are also actively engaging in activism and philanthropy, using their influence to address social issues, advocate for Latino, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights, and promote greater Latino representation.
DID YOU KNOW?
72% of Latino sports fans are part of Gen Z or Millennials, compared to just 50% of U.S. sports fans overall.7
Footnotes
1. “These 10 Latino MLB Players Are Taking Over the League—And We’re So Here for It,” mitú, March 31, 2025, https://wearemitu.com. 2. Diversity of Major League Soccer (MLS) players in 2022, Statistica, https://www.statista.com. 3. “How Hispanics are fueling the popularity of soccer in the US,” Scripps News, October 10, 2024, https://www.scrippsnews.com. 4. “Hispanic Sports Fans Drive Record Viewership and Brand Loyalty, Nielsen Highlights Untapped Potential,” Nielsen, September 2024, https://www.nielsen.com. 5. “2024 U.S. Latinos in Media Report – Full Year Update,” Latino Donor Collaborative, March 10, 2025, https://latinodonorcollaborative.org. 6. “Latin Music Revenue Surpasses $1 Billion for Second Consecutive Year,” Billboard, https://www.billboard.com. 7. “New study shows Latino sports fans' brand affinities,” Sports Business Journal, September 6, 2024, https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com.
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Privacy Policy | Accessibility Policy | ©2025 Hispanic Federation. All rights reserved. Built by Social Driver