Well, sport personalities are usually admired by a lot of people for their fame and talent and money. However, some people on the media may make up things or spread rumors about them, especially if they don't like a certain team they are playing on. This influences people because they sometimes want to achieve their goals or are inspired by something they do. However, how someone influences a person is entirely based upon that person.
The Number Devil might solve a problem unlike how Diane France will solve a problem.I can infer this because the Number Devil can solve math problems skillfully but, Diane France would solve it unlike Number Devil because she dose science and would be more patient unlike the Number Devil.