Lonnie Ali: 'Muhammad was a person who did not jud...
Key takeaways
- In 2025, the Muhammad Ali Center released the inaugural Muhammad Ali Index, a report measuring the state of compassion in the United States.
- Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
- Q: Can you explain what the Ali Index is, how it's expanding and where it came from?
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Muhammad Ali and Lonnie Ali during Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XIII in Phoenix, Arizona in 2007. Photo by John Shearer/Wire Image Andreas Hale Jun 3, 2026, 07:45 AM ETClose Andreas Hale is a combat sports reporter at ESPN. Andreas covers MMA, boxing and pro wrestling. In Andreas' free time, he plays video games, obsesses over music and is a White Sox and 49ers fan. He is also a host for Sirius XM's Fight Nation. Before joining ESPN, Andreas was a senior writer at DAZN and Sporting News. He started his career as a music journalist for outlets including HipHopDX, The Grammys and Jay-Z's Life+Times. He is also an NAACP Image Award-nominated filmmaker as a producer for the animated short film "Bridges" in 2024.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTen years after Muhammad Ali's death on June 3, 2016, his legacy still extends beyond the boxing ring. While most boxing fans remember Ali as "The Greatest" and one of the most recognizable athletes in sports history, those closest to him say his greatest legacy was compassion. His wife, Lonnie Ali, remains committed to the values that defined Muhammad Ali's life after boxing.
In 2025, the Muhammad Ali Center released the inaugural Muhammad Ali Index, a report measuring the state of compassion in the United States. The Ali Index included data gathered from surveys in a dozen cities on education, health care, spirituality, self-care, education, politics and sports. In an interview with ESPN, Lonnie discussed the creation of the Ali Index, what she learned from her life with Muhammad, and why young people continue to connect with his message a decade after his death.
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.