Manny Pacquiao and Jeremy Lin made it to Forbes’ Top 10 Most Influential Athletes of 2012

Filipino boxer and Saranggani Representative, Manny Pacquiao and New York Knicks star player, Jeremy Lin made it to  Forbes’ Top 10 Most Influential Athletes of 2012. The list is based on a survey made by Nielsen and E-Poll, which surveyed over 1,100 adults about pro athletes who are currently active and who score at least 20% “awareness” with the general public.

The Top 10 list was dominated by football players. Pac-Man took the No.4 spot while Linsanity is at No.10, which made them the only boxer and basketball player on the list. The magazine said 59 percent of those polled rated the Filipino boxer as someone ‘they like a lot.’

Here is Forbes magazine’s Top 10 Most Influential Athletes for 2012:
1. Nascar’s Jimmie Johnson
2. NFL’s Tim Tebow
3. NFL’s Peyton Manning
4. Manny Pacquiao
5. NFL’s Tom Brady
6. NFL’s Aaron Rodgers
7. Nascar’s Dale Earnhardt Jr.
8. NFL’s Drew Brees
9. NFL’s Eli Manning
10. NBA’s Jeremy Lin


Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, in speaking with Ringtv.com, said he is not surprised in the slightest that his fighter is ranked so high.

“It’s great,” Arum said. “It’s well-deserved. Manny Pacquiao is one of the most influential athletes in the world. I’ve never promoted anyone like him.”