Best and worst 2024 Met Gala outfits from the sports world, including Serena Williams, Ben Simmons, Angel Reese

Edward Sutelan

•

Bryan Murphy

•
Best and worst 2024 Met Gala outfits from the sports world, including Serena Williams, Ben Simmons, Angel Reese image

The Met Gala is a veritable who's who of celebrities. And it is not just those who appear on the big screen or on stage.

There are countless big-name athletes and members of the sports world who show off their best wardrobe at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan each year for the Met Gala, a massive fundraising festival that brings together many of the most influential people in the United States together.

Athletes might be known for all wearing the same uniforms during games, but they can show off some fashion when given the opportunities. They dress up on days when they're getting ready to be drafted and when they attend other celebrity-filled events like the Kentucky Derby.

Pro sports figures that have attended the event in the past include Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, former soccer player David Beckham, former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, tennis star Serena Williams and many more. 

MORE: Best, worst outfits at the 2024 Kentucky Derby

What are they wearing as they mingle with the biggest names from New York City, Washington, D.C., and Hollywood? Here's what you need to know.

Best and worst 2024 Met Gala outfits from the sports world

Serena Williams

Serena Williams has frequented the Met Gala scene in the past, and it's no exception for the 2024 event. The tennis star was one of the later arrivals for the Gala, sporting a golden dress with an elongated train. The color pops for sure, and is one of the more noticeable outfits at the scene.  

Dwayne Wade

The Met Gala can be all about power couples, and for the NBA side, that means the appearance of Dwayne Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union. The former NBA star is in attendance for the event yet again, sporting a fairly tame suit while Union has on a silver and dress dress, perfectly themed for the 2024 event.

Ben Simmons

The Nets failed to make the postseason this year in the NBA, so Brooklyn players have time with their offseason beginning. For Ben Simmons, that means attending the Met Gala. The Nets forward arrived at the scene in a Thom Browne design, complete with a briefcase. The outfit is surely a frontrunner for one of most-discussed at the Gala, especially given the nature theme of 2024 — whether that means positive or negative feedback, it's up to the viewer. 

Angel Reese

Angel Reese left her practice with the Chicago Sky earlier today, but for one of the best reasons — to attend the Met Gala. The 22-year-old is making her first appearance at the event, sporting a shimmering dress. 

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny showed up to the Met Gala donning a custom outfit design by Maison Margiela. The international rap star crossed over from the music industry into the sporting world first in 2021, when he began making appearances as a professional wrestling for the WWE. He also owns a sports agency with a number of notable MLB clients, such as Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. and Mets prospect Francisco Alvarez.  

La La Anthony

She may not be an athlete, but many are familiar with actress La La Anthony due to her 11-year marriage to former NBA star Carmelo Anthony. The two tied the knot in 2010, but divorced in 2021. She is wearing an Alexander McQueen design to the Met Gala. 

Met Gala 2024 theme, explained

Each year, there is a different theme to the Met Gala. This year's theme is called, "Garden of Time." The theme stems from the new exhibition at the Costume Institute titled, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion."

According to Vogue, that means outfits are likely to be floral- and nature-themed.

"This innovative show will push the boundaries of our imagination," museum CEO Max Hollein said, per Vogue. "And invite us to experience many facets of a work, to learn more about its history, and, ultimately, to gain a deeper appreciation of its beauty."

Last year at the 2023 event, the Met Gala paid tribute to iconic German designer Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019. Numerous attendees wore predominantly black and white, a prominent scheme used by Lagerfeld in his work. 

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.