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LeBron Tops Bloomberg's Power 100 as world's most powerful athlete
By Matt Pineda on Mar 14 2013, 11:14a @pinedaHEAT +
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Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
After his incredible year in 2012, LeBron James was ranked the world's most powerful professional athlete in the Bloomberg Power 100.
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What a transformation it has become! Two years removed from being called a villain, traitor, and quitter, LeBron James is racking up the awards and accomplishments.
James was announced as being ranked atop of the Bloomberg Power 100. The Power 100 is a compilation that ranks the world's best performing athletes based on statistics, the popularity and viewing audience of their sports, endorsement earnings, and their reach on social media.
It's no surprise that after capturing a third NBA MVP, his first NBA Championship and Finals MVP along with an Olympic Gold Medal that James has been put on top. His Power score of 89.26 was good enough to be the best among his peers, followed by Tiger Woods. Joining him in the top 25 from the NBA were Kobe Bryant (7), Kevin Durant (11) and Dwyane Wade (25).
James had a career year last season, and is having an even better season so far. He's setting records, and has currently led the Heat to 20 consecutive victories. He's in the driver's seat for his fourth MVP in five seasons. LeBron jumped three spots from #4 last year.
It's been a pleasure to see the transformation that James has taken. From having to defend himself in the commercials he made in 2010 to now - being able to shoot commercials with his family, and make Harlem Shake videos with his teammates. It isn't only LeBron's play on the court that gave him this award, it's his global presence. James has an uncanny way to connect with his fans. Whether he is tackling them at mid-court after they made a timeout shot, or tossing the ball back in the stands asking for a better pass. LeBron interacts with his fans on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. James is the face of the NBA, and maybe the face of sports.
It's no surprise that LeBron James would be on the top of his sport, but to see him top all NFL, MLB, Golf, and Olympic athletes in the quest to be the most powerful is just a reminder of the greatness that we are witnessing.
Rest of list:
Power Top 100 - Bloomberg Sports
Rank 2011 2010 2009 Athlete Sport Total Power
1 4 11 2 James, LeBron Basketball 89.26
2 12 3 1 Woods, Tiger Golf 86.01
3 51 1 5 Manning, Peyton Football 81.46
4 1 7 25 Brees, Drew Football 77.99
5 6 15 17 Federer, Roger Tennis 73.01
6 9 NR NR Djokovic, Novak Tennis 72.93
7 13 14 12 Bryant, Kobe Basketball 72.25
8 34 12 7 Phelps, Michael Olympics 71.09
9 3 5 30 Brady, Tom Football 69.98
10 2 35 NR Rodgers, Aaron Football 69.74
11 17 25 31 Durant, Kevin Basketball 69.51
12 25 18 16 Williams, Serena Tennis 69.46
13 58 19 35 Beckham, David Soccer 68.91
14 21 NR NR McIlroy, Rory Golf 68.71
15 48 NR 27 Bolt, Usain Olympics 66.82
16 38 44 97 Cabrera, Miguel Baseball 65.39
17 15 17 18 Manning, Eli Football 65.27
18 NR NR NR Douglas, Gabby Olympics 64.75
19 18 4 3 Mickelson, Phil Golf 64.50
20 33 83 80 Sharapova, Maria Tennis 63.53
21 10 50 NR Johnson, Calvin Football 60.72
22 5 16 11 Nadal, Rafael Tennis 60.14
23 31 70 NR Braun, Ryan Baseball 59.93
24 27 33 8 Peterson, Adrian Football 58.68
25 16 20 6 Wade, Dwyane Basketball 58.66
26 14 27 36 Howard, Dwight Basketball 56.93
27 8 2 51 White, Shaun Extreme 56.51
28 78 26 33 Jeter, Derek Baseball 55.30
29 11 87 NR Donald, Luke Golf 55.24
30 22 42 45 Earnhardt Jr., Dale Motorsports 55.10
31 80 NR 86 Murray, Andy Tennis 54.81
32 96 NR NR Azarenka, Victoria Tennis 54.54
33 NR NR NR Griffin III, Robert Football 54.54
34 NR NR 95 May-Treanor, Misty Olympics 54.46
35 66 54 NR Cano, Robinson Baseball 53.80
36 53 NR NR Verlander, Justin Baseball 53.57
37 68 65 20 Duncan, Tim Basketball 52.46
38 50 85 99 Ryan, Matt Football 52.21
39 49 NR NR Mayweather Jr., Floyd Boxing / MMA 52.14
40 99 41 NR Hamilton, Josh Baseball 52.09
41 23 22 NR Foster, Arian Football 51.94
42 46 78 44 Paul, Chris Basketball 51.59
43 79 NR NR Wambach, Abby Olympics 51.34
44 37 23 21 Johnson, Jimmie Motorsports 51.34
45 NR NR NR Watson, Bubba Golf 51.10
46 NR NR NR Kimbrel, Craig Baseball 50.97
47 NR NR NR Raisman, Aly Olympics 50.91
48 NR NR NR Walsh, Kerri Olympics 50.80
49 35 NR NR Griffin, Blake Basketball 50.64
50 29 39 28 Gordon, Jeff Motorsports 50.35
51 95 NR NR Welker, Wes Football 50.20
52 NR NR NR Miller, Von Football 50.14
53 NR NR NR Stamkos, Steven Hockey 50.14
54 26 9 4 Pujols, Albert Baseball 50.08
55 NR NR NR Lochte, Ryan Olympics 49.95
56 75 48 60 Anthony, Carmelo Basketball 49.80
57 93 32 42 Williams, Venus Tennis 49.65
58 44 NR NR Rice, Ray Football 49.60
59 52 NR NR Granderson, Curtis Baseball 49.59
60 NR NR NR Westbrook, Russell Basketball 49.16
61 NR NR NR Franklin, Missy Olympics 48.90
62 NR NR NR St. Pierre, Georges Boxing / MMA 48.89
63 NR NR NR Trout, Mike Baseball 48.67
64 NR NR NR McCutchen, Andrew Baseball 48.67
65 54 47 22 Garnett, Kevin Basketball 48.53
66 77 NR NR Gronkowski, Rob Football 48.30
67 NR 80 59 Pierce, Paul Basketball 48.18
68 24 66 29 Nowitzki, Dirk Basketball 48.14
69 NR NR NR Marshall, Brandon Football 47.96
70 85 NR NR Love, Kevin Basketball 47.86
71 NR NR NR Cruz, Victor Football 47.81
72 28 24 72 Pacquiao, Manny Boxing / MMA 47.70
73 NR NR NR Harden, James Basketball 47.62
74 NR NR NR Snedeker, Brandt Golf 47.52
75 NR NR 75 Romo, Tony Football 47.46
76 NR NR 34 Fielder, Prince Baseball 47.45
77 NR NR NR Irving, Kyrie Basketball 47.43
78 NR NR NR Beltre, Adrian Baseball 47.23
79 83 NR NR Kvitova, Petra Tennis 47.15
80 40 NR NR Wozniacki, Caroline Tennis 47.00
81 NR NR NR Kane, Patrick Hockey 46.90
82 NR NR NR Tillman, Charles Football 46.79
83 NR NR NR Wilson, Russell Football 46.72
84 84 NR NR Scott, Adam Golf 46.42
85 NR NR NR Henry, Thierry Soccer 46.40
86 NR NR NR Rapinoe, Megan Olympics 46.24
87 NR 98 NR Rondo, Rajon Basketball 46.22
88 NR NR NR Newton, Cam Football 46.20
89 NR NR NR Radwanska, Agnieszka Tennis 46.17
90 NR NR NR Weaver, Jered Baseball 46.12
91 60 62 48 Stewart, Tony Motorsports 46.08
92 NR NR NR Flacco, Joe Football 46.07
93 57 53 NR Willis, Patrick Football 46.04
94 55 40 71 Donovan, Landon Soccer 45.83
95 NR NR NR Lynch, Marshawn Football 45.76
96 NR NR NR Malkin, Evgeni Hockey 45.68
97 NR NR NR Silva, Anderson Boxing / MMA 45.55
98 NR 31 39 Crosby, Sidney Hockey 45.42
99 88 NR NR Solo, Hope Olympics 45.31
100 NR NR NR Watt, J.J. Football 45.30
if they go outside the US, nobody would recognize them.