FIBA remained top of the rankings on Facebook as well as second on Instagram while also moving up to second on Twitter thanks in part to the FIBA Basketball World Cup, attracting 31 per cent of all video views among International Federations (IFs).

Nicolas Chapart, head of digital for FIBA, thanked the fans for contributing to its success. 

"The entired FIBA social media team in the headquarters and across our five regional offices was focused on delivering the best possible coverage to our fans on all platforms", Chapart said.

"We are delighted our social media strategy to put the 'Fans at Heart' paid off."

Last year's table toppers dropped to sixth, while World Rugby moved up to second and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) up to third.

The biggest movers were the International Swimming Federation (FINA) who moved up 14 places to 10th, with three IFs dropping six places including the International Cycling Union (UCI).

World Athletics came out on top of the YouTube rankings, moving up from third last year.

The top winter IF continues to be the International Skating Union (ISU) in 12th position.

Redtorch, a London-based sports marketing agency, has produced the annual table for a fourth time and Redtorch chief executive Jonny Murch believes this information is invaluable to IFs.

"The #SportOnSocial League Table offers - free of charge - a benchmark for IF digital performance", Murch said.

"For the first time we've added year-on-year comparisons across all platforms and improved the value of the League Table by adding more contextual background."