 "Dhoni 9th-most marketable sportsperson")
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India's One Day International cricket captain, has been ranked ninth in a list of the most marketable sportspersons in the world, prepared by the London School of Marketing (LSM). He ranks ahead of the likes of Argentina's football star Lionel Messi and Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt.
Dhoni, 34, considered one of the finest finishers in the game, was also placed ahead of football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, as well as tennis players Andy Murray and Serena Williams.
While compiling the list, LSM researchers looked at the brand value of the individuals, along with their current income from sponsorships and the percentage of their total earnings these accounted for. It also considered their presence on social media.
Swiss tennis star Roger Federer was named the most marketable sportsperson in the world, followed by golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the second and third positions, respectively.
Despite his loss in this year's Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic, Federer is considered one of the most influential sportspersons in the world. He has 17 Grand Slam singles titles to his credit.
"He might not have won the Wimbledon this year, but it's Federer's personal characteristics that sponsors find so attractive," said Jacques de Cock, faculty member at LSM.
Tennis stars dominate the list, with Djokovic seventh, followed by Rafael Nadal. Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, the only two women to make it to the top 20, have been ranked 12th and 20th, respectively.
"Despite having passed their peak physically, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are kings," de Cock said.
Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Rory McIlroy, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, Lionel Messi, Usain Bolt, Neymar, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori, Derrick Rose, Floyd Mayweather and Serena Williams make up LSM's list of the top 20 marketable sportspersons, in that order.
Dhoni, 34, considered one of the finest finishers in the game, was also placed ahead of football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, as well as tennis players Andy Murray and Serena Williams.
While compiling the list, LSM researchers looked at the brand value of the individuals, along with their current income from sponsorships and the percentage of their total earnings these accounted for. It also considered their presence on social media.
Swiss tennis star Roger Federer was named the most marketable sportsperson in the world, followed by golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the second and third positions, respectively.
Despite his loss in this year's Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic, Federer is considered one of the most influential sportspersons in the world. He has 17 Grand Slam singles titles to his credit.
"He might not have won the Wimbledon this year, but it's Federer's personal characteristics that sponsors find so attractive," said Jacques de Cock, faculty member at LSM.
Tennis stars dominate the list, with Djokovic seventh, followed by Rafael Nadal. Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, the only two women to make it to the top 20, have been ranked 12th and 20th, respectively.
"Despite having passed their peak physically, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are kings," de Cock said.
Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Rory McIlroy, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, Lionel Messi, Usain Bolt, Neymar, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori, Derrick Rose, Floyd Mayweather and Serena Williams make up LSM's list of the top 20 marketable sportspersons, in that order.