01. Peyton Manning
01.jpg (46.97 KB. 640x479 - viewed 3 times.)The Indianapolis Colts quarterback is more than simply the one of the best players in America’s
sport. He’s also a model of class, sportsmanship and overall likability
that fans (and sponsors) can’t get enough of. .
02. Shaun White
02.jpg (37.76 KB. 640x426 - viewed 3 times.)White, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, combines dominance on the slopes with a friendly face
and personality. All this adds up to instant marketability.
03. Tiger Woods
03.jpg (47.17 KB. 640x853 - viewed 3 times.)Tiger Woods may have fallen from grace, but he hasn’t fallen far. Last year he still
made $70 million in endorsements to remain America’s highest paid athlete. But
guess who’s not far behind.
04. 04 Phil Mickelson
04.jpg (32.69 KB. 640x433 - viewed 3 times.)More than just a moneymaker and an ace golfer, Mickelson provided
the feel good sports story of the year when his wife, recovering from
breast cancer surgery, met him at the 18th hole of his third Masters
victory.
05. Tom Brady
05.jpg (41.08 KB. 640x340 - viewed 3 times.)Although he couldn’t make it past Rex Ryan’s Jets, the three-time
Super Bowl champ still led his New England Patriots to a staggering
14 regular season wins.
06. Shaquille O’Neal
06.jpg (56.61 KB. 640x677 - viewed 3 times.)At 38, the four-time NBA champ has a legitimate chance to earn his fifth
ring as the back-up center for theBoston Celtics. Even if the big man falls
short, it’s doubtful that his extreme marketability will suffer much.
07. Drew Brees
Want to know how to win the support of fans and sponsors the world
Want to know how to win the support of fans and sponsors the world
over? Try bringing a championship to an American city that’s seen more
hard-luck and shown more resiliency than any other. That’s exactly what
Drew Brees did for New Orleans.
08. Lance Armstrong
Although Armstrong has seen his share of controversy over the past few
08. Lance Armstrong
Although Armstrong has seen his share of controversy over the past few
years, no number of doping allegations can take away from his cycling
accomplishments (winning seven Tour de Frances after beating cancer)
and his charity work.
09. Albert Pujols
The perfect antidote to the backlash against baseball over Performance
09. Albert Pujols
The perfect antidote to the backlash against baseball over Performance
Enhancing Drugs, Pujols is proof that you don’t have to play dirty to dominate
the game.
10. Apolo Anton Ohno
Ohno? Oh yes. The Olympic speed skater has won loads of gold medals,
10. Apolo Anton Ohno
Ohno? Oh yes. The Olympic speed skater has won loads of gold medals,
but he really captured America’s heart as a contestant on
Dancing With the Stars.
11. LeBron James
To some, LeBron is a backstabber who betrayed his hometown team on
11. LeBron James
To some, LeBron is a backstabber who betrayed his hometown team on
national TV. To others, he’s a phenomenal player who, like many other
athletes, simply wants the best chance to win. For the time being at least,
it would appear the public has embraced the first perspective; LeBron
slipped a whopping nine spots this year.
12. Michael Phelps
Although it’s been over two years since winning eight gold medals at
12. Michael Phelps
Although it’s been over two years since winning eight gold medals at
the Beijing Olympics, that stellar achievement is enough for him to continue
raking in the advertising bucks for years to come.