Source:REUTERS/Edgar Su
[Saba Sports News] The renowned international sports business media company “SportsPro” recently released its ranking of the world’s most marketable athletes. F1 Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton topped the list, beating Portuguese and Argentine stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to claim first place. This is his second time ranking first on this list. Reportedly, the reasons for Hamilton’s top ranking include his active promotion of diversity and inclusion in motorsport as the first Black driver in F1 history. He established the “Hamilton Commission” dedicated to removing barriers for Black talent in UK motorsport and also founded the Mission 44 foundation to support youth education and employment. These social contributions have won him widespread acclaim and respect, making him not just a sports star but also a socially responsible public figure, which greatly enhances his market recognition and value. “SportsPro” publishes the list of the most marketable athletes annually. The ranking is based on an athlete’s “Marketability Score,” composed of three parts: “Brand Strength,” “Total Addressable Market,” and “Economics,” weighted at 35%, 35%, and 30% respectively. This list is regarded as an important bellwether in the sports industry.