Whose death would rival Kobe's as news in American sports?

Nearly all of those most likely.

Tiger?

I'd say everyone on that list with the following exceptions:

Curry and Mahomes because they haven't been around long enough. It would be a big deal, but not on the level of Kobe. I might be wrong about Curry because he's a multiple champion and he's been a phenom since college. I just don't get the same sense that the general public could pick Steph Curry out of a lineup. Put it this way, my wife knows who Kobe Bryant is. If I asked her who Steph Curry was, she may have heard the name at some point but she probably couldn't tell you he was an athlete, let alone a basketball player.

And Mike Trout. We've talked on this board multiple times about how people outside of baseball have no idea who he is.

I don't really like these type of threads. Trying to undermine someone's passing. Yes, I know you're not doing that and you're referring to the ghoulish media. All death is tragic, especially for the victim's families.

Who on that list has won seven rings?

MJ would be on par with Michael Jackson.

This one's the wealthiest:

Only one NFL QB has won seven rings

That was Otto Graham ( the real GOAT )

So this is the benchmark to beat.