Muhammad Ali’s media legacy is one of the most significant in modern American history. Beyond his achievements in the boxing ring, Ali’s influence extended into television, shaping the role of sports in pop culture, redefining the athlete's voice in social movements, and paving the way for sports entertainment as we know it today.

Ali was among the first Black athletes to insist on controlling his own narrative, challenging the norms of the television industry during the 1960s and 1970s. His televised fights weren’t just sporting events – they were cultural moments, broadcast globally and viewed by millions.