Pacquiao Ranks 4th in Forbes’s List of America’s Most Influential Athlete

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao ranked fourth in this year’s Forbes' list of America’s Most Influential Athletes.

Pacquiao is the only boxer on the list. Forbes said about Pacquiao: “Likeable boxing champ is a king among the Philippine population. The contrast with boxing “bad guy” Floyd Mayweather doesn’t hurt.”

According to the article written by Forbes Staff, Tom Van Riper, this year’s list is dominated by NFL quarterback players occupying six of the top 10 most influential athletes with New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning ranking second and third respectively, based on public opinion polling.

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson was named the Most Influential Athlete for the second straight year. Van Riper wrote that Johnson’s talent and guy-next-door demeanor endears him to fans, as well as to marketing chiefs of brands like Chevrolet, Quaker State and Lowe’s.

Tailing Pacquiao on the list were New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.

The Forbes’ list of America’s Most Influential Athletes is based on a survey conducted by survey firms Nielsen and E-Poll, wherein over 1,100 adults were questioned about dozens of well-known athletes “to measure their likeability and whether they’re considered ‘influential.’” Candidates were limited to pro athletes who are currently active and who score at least 20% awareness with the general public.