Gabi Butler has spent more than a decade as one of the most recognizable athletes in cheerleading. This week, that influence received one of its biggest acknowledgments yet.
TIME named Butler to its 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list, placing the longtime cheerleader alongside some of the most prominent athletes, executives and innovators shaping the sports world.
The recognition is notable not only for Butler, but also for a sport that has historically fought for space in mainstream sports conversations.
TIME described Butler as “the face of American competitive cheerleading,” citing her impact both inside the sport and beyond it. Since emerging as a national champion at Navarro College and later becoming a breakout figure in Netflix’s Cheer, Butler has become one of the most visible ambassadors competitive cheerleading has ever produced.
Her influence has coincided with a period of significant growth for the sport.
Over the past several years, cheerleading has expanded its reach through streaming platforms, social media and increased national media coverage. More recently, the launch of the Pro Cheer League has created a new professional pathway for athletes seeking opportunities beyond traditional school and all-star competition.
Butler has been at the center of many of those developments.
The 28-year-old competed for the Miami Metal during the inaugural Pro Cheer League season and was later named a lead brand ambassador for Varsity Spirit. Through clinics, camps and online content, she continues to connect with athletes across multiple generations of the sport.
For coaches and athletes, Butler’s inclusion on TIME’s list represents something larger than individual recognition.
Mainstream sports media rarely highlights cheerleading outside of championship season or viral moments. Recognition from one of the country’s most influential publications places the sport in front of audiences that may have little familiarity with the athletic demands, training requirements and competitive structure that define modern cheerleading.
The honor also arrives during a period when cheerleading’s leaders continue pushing for greater visibility, expanded opportunities and increased investment across the sport.
Whether through collegiate competition, all-star programs or the emergence of professional cheer, the conversation around cheerleading continues to evolve. Butler has become one of the athletes most responsible for helping drive that shift.
Her career has included national titles, television appearances and global brand partnerships. Yet her lasting impact may be her ability to introduce millions of people to a sport they previously overlooked.
TIME’s recognition reinforces a reality many within cheerleading have understood for years. Butler’s influence extends well beyond competition results.
As cheerleading continues its push into the broader sports landscape, one of its most recognizable athletes is now being recognized on one of sports’ biggest stages.
For the cheer community, that recognition matters.
For the next generation of athletes, it may be a glimpse of where the sport is headed.
