World's 20 Most Powerful Athletes for 2011


01. Peyton Manning

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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.
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