With a face recognized around the world, Ali transformed what the role of athletes could be in the media and society. He became one of the most photographed individuals in history, with unprecedented coverage in newspapers, magazines, and on television. Whether loved or resented, Muhammad Ali became a household name and established a brand that extended far beyond the ring.  

Ali created a bridge between the worlds of sports, politics, the arts, and popular culture. His versatility was unmatched. He was an artist, activist, author, poet, actor, magician, and the Greatest Boxer of All Time…

…and one of the most enduring cultural figures in American history. 

“I Am the Greatest!” Album

Produced and released by Columbia Records in 1963, I Am The Greatest is a full spoken word/comedy LP, 33 1/3 rpm microgroove vinyl.  

Released about six months before Ali became the world heavyweight champion, he predicted he would defeat his opponent, then-champion Sonny Liston. This was also months before the public announcement of his conversion to the Nation of Islam and his name change, so the album was released under his birth name, Cassius Clay. 

The record is primarily a compilation of Muhammad Ali’s poetry, performed with crowd reactions and occasional musical backing. It helped establish his reputation for rhythmic and clever wordplay. Later reissues featured bonus tracks including his versions of the 1960 Ben E. King classic “Stand by Me” and “The Gang’s All Here,” the latter featuring guest artist and friend Sam Cooke. While it demonstrates his predilection for boasting and trash-talking, it also captures The Greatest’s humor.  

The record peaked at #61 on the Billboard album chart and sold an estimated 500,000 copies in the United States. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Performance in 1964.  

Many modern artists cite Muhammad Ali as an influence on their music, and there is broad agreement that elements of his rhythmic delivery and boastful style helped foreshadow the development of rap and hip-hop.  

“The Greatest” Autobiography and Feature Film

Published in 1975, “The Greatest” was penned by Muhammad Ali and edited by Toni Morrison, who was working as an editor at Random House at the time. The book, crafted in Ali’s own words with the assistance of Richard Durham, also underwent unofficial revisions by Herbert Muhammad. 

In 1977, the book was loosely adapted into an autobiographical feature film. The movie starred renowned actors such as James Earl Jones, Ernest Borgnine, and Roger E. Mosley, alongside boxing legends like George Foreman and Ken Norton. It also included appearances by members of Ali’s entourage, including Gene Kilroy, Drew Bundini Brown, and Howard Bingham. 

The film’s theme song, “The Greatest Love of All,” was composed by Michael Masser with lyrics by Linda Creed. Originally recorded by George Benson for the movie, the song was later covered by Shirley Bassey and Whitney Houston, the latter of which would become a chart-topping hit. 

The film was generally well received, though some critics felt it presented a somewhat hagiographical portrayal of his life, offering an entertaining narrative filtered through rose-colored glasses. 

Check out more within our Digital Museum!

New Business Ventures

During his hiatus from the boxing ring, a result of his conscientious objection to the Vietnam War, Ali began working for alternative methods of income.  In addition to giving lectures at colleges and universities, Ali also began exploring business opportunities. In 1968, he lent his name to a restaurant in Miami, Florida called Champburger. The agreement stipulated that the restaurant would serve halal meat and Champs soda, and a portion of the restaurant’s proceeds would go to Ali.  

In 1970, Ali and his manager, Herbert Muhammad, co-founded Ali Enterprises to manage and expand Ali’s commercial interests, merchandising, and endorsements. However, the venture eventually ran its course and was sold to a group led by boxing promoter Don King, ceasing to operate independently. 

In 1990, Muhammad Ali, Inc. was established to oversee Ali’s brand, merchandising, and licensing activities. This was followed by a rebranding in 1999, when Muhammad Ali, Inc. became G.O.A.T. LLC. The new entity focused on managing Ali’s brand, licensing, and intellectual property rights. In 2006, CKX, Inc., a media and entertainment company, acquired a stake in G.O.A.T. LLC to enhance its portfolio and leverage Ali’s iconic status. G.O.A.T. LLC was renamed Muhammad Ali Enterprises in 2011. 

On November 19, 2013, Authentic Brands Group, LLC (ABG) acquired Muhammad Ali Enterprises. In partnership with the Ali family, ABG continues to manage and own Ali’s name, likeness, image, and trademark phrases, including “The Greatest of All Time.” 

Among the products launched before the founding of Muhammad Ali, Inc. was Muhammad Ali Cologne and Aftershave, released in 1988 and marketed by Crystal Fragrances, a subsidiary of Crystal Distributors, Inc. The promotional tour for the cologne began in August 1989, in Detroit, Michigan and ended in New Orleans, Louisiana. Visitors were offered autographs with their purchase. 

Ali’s Connection with Harvard University

By the later stages of his career, Ali’s influence had expanded beyond popular culture and into academic and institutional contexts. His life and work came to be examined not only for their cultural significance, but for their intellectual and historical value. Harvard University has played a notable role in recognizing and sustaining this dimension of Ali’s legacy.  

Ali gave a commencement speech in 1975 – performing shortest poem, “Me, we.”

In 2015, was presented the W.E.B. DuBois Medal from the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Named after W.E.B. DuBois, the award is given to “individuals in the United States and across the globe in recognition of their contributions to African and African American culture and the life of the mind.” Other recipients include Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Lonnie Bunch, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among many other notable figures. 

“It was an honor to visit Lonnie and Muhammad’s home in Berrien Springs, Michigan in the Spring of 2005. It was such a treat and privilege to pretend to box with Muhammad and even have the luxury of taking a photo with “The Champ”. It was even one of the greatest honors of my life that he would suggest taking a picture of the two of us boxing together with my fist on his nose.” – Coach Amaker

The Greatest… Again!!

Though there is no relation to the original film of the same title, a new series titled “The Greatest” is slated to release on Amazon Prime Video in late 2026, chronicling Ali’s Olympic win in 1960 to his name change and religious conversion in 1964.

In a press release about the series, it describes the series as an intimate exploration of the “incomparable life of Muhammad Ali…” in which, “…the heartbeat of the story is fueled by all the moments that took place outside of the spotlight. The world remembers an icon, but The Greatest is about a man, a husband, a father, a brother, and a son.”

It is the first fully authorized scripted series about Ali that has full, unprecedented access to his legacy and estate. It is produced by Amazon MGM Studios in association with Outlier Society, Authentic Studios, Blue Monday Productions, Roc Nation, Polygram Entertainment, and Grace: A Storytelling Company.

The release will coincide with the 10th anniversary of Ali’s passing and underscores the continued power of his legacy, which remains capable of inspiring new generations and conveying enduring lessons of love, compassion, and resistance.

Getting the Champ a Stamp

Though there is no relation to the original film of the same title, a new series titled “The Greatest” is slated to release on Amazon Prime Video in late 2026, chronicling Ali’s Olympic win in 1960 to his name change and religious conversion in 1964.

In a press release about the series, it describes the series as an intimate exploration of the “incomparable life of Muhammad Ali…” in which, “…the heartbeat of the story is fueled by all the moments that took place outside of the spotlight. The world remembers an icon, but The Greatest is about a man, a husband, a father, a brother, and a son.”

It is the first fully authorized scripted series about Ali that has full, unprecedented access to his legacy and estate. It is produced by Amazon MGM Studios in association with Outlier Society, Authentic Studios, Blue Monday Productions, Roc Nation, Polygram Entertainment, and Grace: A Storytelling Company.

The release will coincide with the 10th anniversary of Ali’s passing and underscores the continued power of his legacy, which remains capable of inspiring new generations and conveying enduring lessons of love, compassion, and resistance.