Film Odds: Which Athletes Will Make The Leap?

Sporting careers are notoriously short. Athletes age past their prime, injuries just seem to linger, and in some cases, the flame just stops burning. Where does an athlete go when the sporting world is done with them but they still have more to give?

One option is Hollywood. They already have fame and name recognition, so in a way, the hardest part has already been taken care of. Which athletes will we see make the leap into the film and television industry?

Here are some picks!

Odds to make the move to Hollywood

John Cena: 1/3

Seeing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson become one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood was probably one of the main reasons John Cena started exploring his acting options. In 2015, he appeared in Trainwreck, Sisters and had a cameo in Daddy’s Home.

Now, he’s been cast to star in the animated comedy Ferdinand. You could argue that Cena is already a Hollywood actor, but he’s still primarily a wrestler and acting is more of a side gig for him. It seems like only a matter of time before he makes the leap for good.

Ronda Rousey: 1/1

With her MMA career in shambles, Ronda Rousey is going to have to start exploring other avenues. The marketable UFC star already has a few acting credits to her name. She’s had roles in films like Furious 7 and The Expendables 3, and appeared as herself in the Entourage movie.

In 2014, Rousey told ESPN that she plans to be the “highest-grossing actor in the world someday.” She’s already landed a role on the upcoming NBC show “Blindspot”, so she’s well on her way to becoming an established actress. Whether she abandons it to return to MMA or even the WWE remains to be seen.

LeBron James: 5/1

LeBron James has had quite a few cameo appearances over the years. We’ve seen him on shows like Entourage and SpongeBob SquarePants, and had a sizable role in Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck, where he showed off a different side of his personality. 

He’s set to star in the long-awaited Space Jam 2, which is the perfect role for him. At 32, he’s probably at the tail-end of his career. He’s definitely got a few seasons left in him, but after that, perhaps a move to Hollywood?

Peyton Manning: 9/1

If you played all of Peyton Manning’s ads back-to-back, you would probably have a full-length film. He’s already had a small role in Modern Family, and is no stranger to the SNL  stage, so maybe acting is the next chapter in his storied career.

Tiger Woods: 50/1

Let’s face it. The old Tiger Woods is gone. His days on top are long behind him and his nagging back issues will not improve with age. It seems a little farfetched, but maybe we’ll see him take to the silver screen.