Before we present the 25 most powerful people in sports media for 2023, a few things to know.

• These are based on this year. The most powerful people in sports media are the heads of the leagues, networks and digital platforms, as well as top athletes.

Think of this as an appraisal of: “Who had the most powerful 2023?”

• There is no formula. This is my opinion, though I consulted with people I trust.