Businessweek Ranks 100 Most Powerful Athletes

Businessweek has combined two great things — sports and lists — to form a ranking of the 100 most powerful athletes. Titled the Power 100, the list was curated by CSE, an integrated sports marketing firm. CSE took the statistically best 600 athletes from a pool of 3,000, and then ranked them according popularity, endorsement earnings, and their reach on social media. Also considered was results from a Nielsen/E-Poll survey, which measured players’ name recognition, appeal, influence, and trustworthiness.

As might have guessed, Drew Brees took the number one spot in the Power 100. Brees broke records and has had a positive influence on the New Orleans community. Aaron Rodgers, who had a great meaningless regular season before being crushed by the Giants, is the runner-up. Tom Brady, LeBron James (trustworthy?), and Rafael Nadal, take spots three through five.

Eli Manning, who, unlike Rodgers and Brees, is not sitting at home during the Super Bowl, came in at 16. We’d demand a recount, but the Giants are going to win it all this year, so we’ll just take that honor instead.

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