Marvel Comics teamed up with espnW to honor this year’s IMPACT25 nominees and the results, in the words of Barack Obama, are badass. The annual IMPACT25 serves to highlight 25 female athletes and influencers who shaped and impacted the biggest sporting events of the calendar year.
Marvel artists created original renderings of the 2015 honorees, including Carli “The Boss” Lloyd, Loretta “FIFA Slayer” Lynch and the United States Women “Who Run The World” National Team. These super versions of the athletes and influencers who captured our hearts and minds in 2015 are not to be missed.
espnW 2015 IMPACT25 Athlete: Carli Lloyd
Photo: @Mamen_Hidalgo | Twitter
With her hat trick in the World Cup final, including that scandalous goal from midfield, Lloyd cemented her place in American sporting history. She scored six goals throughout the tournament, was awarded the Golden Ball and inspired millions of girls and boys to dream and believe in themselves.
espnW 2015 IMPACT25 Influencer: USWNT
Photo: @wsoccerscrolls | Twitter
20 million viewers witnessed the U.S. emerge victorious from their World Cup final against Japan. The style, togetherness and panache they displayed endeared them to viewers around the world.
A tickertape parade through New York City, countless guest appearances and an accompanying social media hullabaloo of gargantuan proportions guaranteed that the feel-good factor surrounding these ladies will run straight into the 2016 Summer Olympics. Bring on Rio.
espnW 2015 IMPACT25 Influencer: Loretta Lynch
Photo: @LizzieHaldane | Twitter
The attorney general of the United States, Lynch was instrumental in bringing down the corrupt FIFA house that Sepp Blatter had built. She announced the indictments of 14 top FIFA officials, revealing widespread bribery, fraud and corruption in the organization.
Her role in cleaning up the game and reintroducing the values of ethics, fair play and justice into the offices of FIFA will make an invaluable difference for many years to come. Loretta Lynch may well have saved international soccer as we know it.
