Forbes: America’s Most Influential Athletes, 2008-2012

Jimmie Johnson Repeats Again - This Time as Forbes' Most Influential Athlete

Forbes is at it again. The magazine has just come out with 2012’s top 10 most influential athletes in America.

NASCAR‘s Jimmie Johnson repeats as the most influential sportsman in the country.

But, man, influence is fleeting. Half the list has changed since last year, and only two – Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning – remain from 2010.

So, what does the mag mean by influence?

Back when Forbes first came out with this list in 2008, they defined it as being “just as powerful off the field as on it. People listen to what they say and buy the products they endorse.”

“Influential athletes make excellent endorsers and proponents for social causes. They are also well transitioned to make the jump into entertainment, says E-Poll’s Philpott.”

The public “want[s] to hear what [they] say and follow [their] example.”

But the public, apparently, is mostly fickle. There’s a good bit of turnover when you look at all of Forbes’ most influential lists: 2008, 2010-2012. There was no list in 2009.

My how baseball has fallen. What, no Derek Jeter?

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Forbes 2012 Most Influential Athletes
1.	Jimmie Johnson	NASCAR
2.	Tim Tebow	NFL
3.	Peyton Manning	NFL
4.	Manny Pacquiao	Boxing
5.	Tom Brady	NFL
6.	Aaron Rodgers	NFL
7.	Dale Earnhardt, Jr.	NASCAR
8.	Drew Brees	NFL
9.	Eli Manning	NFL
10.	Jeremy Lin	NBA
Forbes 2011 Most Influential Athletes
1.	Jimmie Johnson	NASCAR
2.	Tom Brady	NFL
3.	Dale Earnhardt, Jr.	NASCAR
4.	Shaquille O’Neal	NBA
5.	Michael Phelps	Swimming
6.	Troy Polamalu	NFL
7.	Peyton Manning	NFL
8.	Jeff Gordon	NASCAR
9.	LeBron James	NBA
10.	Tim Tebow	NFL
Forbes 2010 Most Influential Athletes
1.	Lance Armstrong	Cycling
2.	LeBron James	NBA
3.	Tim Tebow	NCAA Football
4.	Shaun White	Snowboarding
5.	Shaquille O’Neal	NBA
6.	Peyton Manning	NFL
7.	Kevin Garnett	NBA
8.	Kobe Bryant	NBA
9.	Apolo Anton Ohno	Speed Skating
10.	Dwyane Wade	NBA
Forbes 2008 Most Influential Athletes
1.	Tiger Woods	PGA
1.	Lance Armstrong	Cycling
3.	Tony Hawk	Skateboarding
4.	Peyton Manning	NFL
5.	Michael Phelps	Swimming
6.	LeBron James	NBA
7.	Shaquille O’Neal	NBA
8.	Danica Patrick	NASCAR
9.	Kevin Garnett	NBA
10.	Dale Earnhardt, Jr.	NASCAR

Photo: topics.mlive.com