Sports and celebrity culture have always attracted plenty of attention, but few people capture that spotlight quite like the wives and girlfriends of famous athletes. In 2016, the world’s most recognizable WAGs were making headlines for far more than their relationships.
From internationally successful models and actresses to television personalities, musicians, presenters and entrepreneurs, these women had established careers and identities of their own. Their appearances at sporting events, red-carpet occasions and fashion campaigns often generated just as much attention as the athletes they supported.
Our original 2016 selection highlights 15 of the most talked-about WAGs of the year. The list is presented for entertainment rather than as a strict ranking, so the numbers should not be considered a measure of beauty or popularity.
Here are the Top 15 Hottest WAGs of 2016, featuring some of the most recognizable names connected to the worlds of basketball, football, soccer and American football.
15. Vanessa Bryant – Married to Kobe Bryant
Vanessa Bryant became one of the most recognizable figures associated with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. The couple first met when Vanessa was a teenager and Kobe was beginning his career in professional basketball.
Over the years, Vanessa developed a strong public profile of her own while remaining a familiar presence alongside one of the biggest names in basketball. Her fashion, philanthropic work and public appearances have kept her in the spotlight.
14. Gisele Bündchen – Married to Tom Brady
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen was already one of the most famous models in the world when her relationship with NFL quarterback Tom Brady became a major part of her celebrity profile.
Known for her international modeling career, fashion campaigns and business ventures, Gisele brought a global fashion presence to the world of sports celebrity. She and Brady married in 2009 and became one of the most recognizable celebrity couples of the era.
13. Barbie Blank – Engaged to Sheldon Souray
Barbie Blank, widely known by her WWE ring name Kelly Kelly, built a successful career in professional wrestling before expanding into television and entertainment.
Her appearance on the reality series WAGS gave audiences another look at her life away from wrestling. In 2016, she was engaged to former NHL player Sheldon Souray, making the couple a familiar name in sports and entertainment circles.
12. Olivia Munn – Dating Aaron Rodgers
Actress and television personality Olivia Munn was another major name on the 2016 WAG scene. At the time, she was dating Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Olivia had already established herself through acting, television appearances and modeling. Her interests in gaming and pop culture also helped make her one of the more distinctive personalities on the list.
11. Gabrielle Union – Married to Dwyane Wade
Gabrielle Union had already enjoyed a successful acting career long before becoming associated with NBA star Dwyane Wade. She became widely known through films such as Bring It On and numerous television appearances.
Union and Wade married in 2014, and their relationship quickly became a familiar part of celebrity and basketball culture. Her career as an actress, producer and advocate has continued to give her a strong identity beyond the WAG label.
10. Amelia Vega – Married to Al Horford
Amelia Vega brought an impressive résumé to the world of sports celebrity. The Dominican model, actress and singer made history by becoming the first woman from the Dominican Republic to win the Miss Universe title.
She married NBA player Al Horford and continued developing her own career in entertainment, fashion and charitable work. Her international background made her one of the most recognizable WAGs featured in 2016.
9. La La Anthony – Married to Carmelo Anthony
La La Anthony became a familiar face in entertainment long before her marriage to NBA star Carmelo Anthony. She built her career as a radio and television personality and later expanded into acting, fashion and business.
Her marriage to Carmelo Anthony became the subject of the reality series La La's Full Court Wedding. With a successful career of her own, La La was much more than simply an NBA wife.
8. Candice Crawford Romo – Married to Tony Romo
Former beauty queen and television reporter Candice Crawford captured the attention of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Before their marriage, Crawford worked as a reporter in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and built experience in television.
The couple married in 2011 and went on to build a family together. Crawford's television background, fashion appearances and connection to one of the NFL's most recognizable quarterbacks helped make her a prominent sports celebrity.
7. Nicole Williams – Dating Larry English
Canadian model Nicole Williams was already making a name for herself in the fashion industry when she appeared on the reality series WAGS.
Her modeling career included work with major agencies and fashion campaigns, while her relationship with former NFL player Larry English brought her additional attention from sports and reality-TV audiences.
With her modeling experience and television presence, Williams became one of the most recognizable personalities associated with the WAGS franchise during its early years.
6. Lauren Tannehill – Married to Ryan Tannehill
Lauren Tannehill became a familiar figure among NFL WAGs through her marriage to former Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
The Atlanta-born model appeared in Maxim and gained additional exposure through HBO's Hard Knocks. Her interests outside the spotlight and her modeling background helped establish her as one of the better-known NFL wives of the period.
5. Misse Beqiri – Married to Anders Lindegaard
Swedish model Misse Beqiri was one of the most talked-about soccer WAGs of the mid-2010s. She was married to Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, who played for Manchester United during part of his career.
Beqiri's fashion choices and modeling career frequently attracted media attention, particularly around Manchester United events. Her appearance on the reality series WAGS also introduced her to a wider audience.
4. Shakira – Married to Gerard Piqué
Shakira was already an international superstar long before her relationship with Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué. The Colombian singer had achieved global success through hit songs, major performances and numerous international collaborations.
Shakira and Piqué first met while working around the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when Piqué appeared in the music video for her World Cup anthem Waka Waka. Their relationship became one of the most recognizable celebrity partnerships connecting music and football.
3. Pilar Rubio – Dating Sergio Ramos
Spanish television presenter Pilar Rubio became one of Spain's most recognizable entertainment personalities before her relationship with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos attracted additional international attention.
Rubio built her reputation through television presenting and entertainment work, while also appearing in fashion and lifestyle publications. Her relationship with Ramos made the couple a regular feature of Spanish sports and celebrity coverage.
2. Abbey Clancy – Married to Peter Crouch
Abbey Clancy established herself as a successful British model and television personality alongside her high-profile marriage to footballer Peter Crouch.
She rose to prominence through modeling and became a finalist on Britain's Next Top Model. Over the years, she appeared in major fashion and lifestyle publications and expanded her career into television.
Her combination of modeling, television work and football connections made Abbey one of the most recognizable British WAGs of 2016.
1. Alice Goodwin – Married to Jermaine Pennant
Alice Goodwin became widely known as a British glamour model and media personality and was featured prominently in celebrity and men's lifestyle publications.
Her relationship with former professional footballer Jermaine Pennant brought her additional attention from the sports world. With her established modeling career and recognizable public profile, Goodwin rounded out this 2016 selection of notable WAGs.
Final Thoughts
The WAG culture of 2016 was about much more than famous relationships. Many of the women featured here had built successful careers in modeling, acting, television, music, fashion and business in their own right.
From international stars such as Shakira and Gisele Bündchen to television personalities and professional models, these women helped define the celebrity side of sports culture during the era.
Which WAG from our 2016 list was your favorite? Share your pick in the comments.