101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports

101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports

(Sports Illustrated - 6/28/04)

By Richard Deitsch, Gene Menez, Elizabeth Newman, Melissa Segura And Andrea Woo

ARTURO MORENO, 57 | Owner, Anaheim Angels
Last year's rank: 5 | Outlook: Up

The first Latino owner of a major U.S. sports franchise, Moreno has hit it big in one of the nation's largest Spanish-language markets. The Angels should set a club attendance record.

TIGER WOODS, 28 | Golfer
Last year's rank: 2 | Outlook: Even

Though he hasn't won a major in what seems like forever, Woods is still the Man when it comes to drawing crowds, TV viewers and scooping up huge endorsement deals.

YAO MING, 23 | Center, Houston Rockets
Last year's rank: 7 | Outlook: Up

The 7'6" Houston center has a new Jordanesque deal with Reebok (a Yao footwear line will debut in October) and endorsement gigs with Visa, McDonald's and Pepsi.

LEBRON JAMES, 19 | Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers
Last year's rank: 101 | Outlook: Up

Heir Jordan? Done. The Rookie of the Year's Cavs more than doubled their wins from last season while attendance rose from 11,497 to 18,288 per game. His jersey is NBA's top seller.

ROBERT JOHNSON, 58 | Owner, Charlotte Bobcats
Last year's rank: 1 | Outlook: Up

The first African-American majority owner in pro sports, his NBA Bobcats debut next season. Now Johnson is trying to bring major league baseball back to D.C. or to Norfolk.

GENE UPSHAW, 58 | Executive Director, NFL Players Association
Last year's rank: 8 | Outlook: Even

With NFL attendance at an alltime high, TV ratings on the rise and the salary cap expected to approach $80 million next season, Upshaw's influence is skyrocketing.

JIMMIE LEE SOLOMON, 47 | Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, MLB
Last year's rank: 9 | Outlook: Up

Solomon oversees the Scouting Bureau and all minor leagues, and implements and enforces league rules. He's also trying to put baseball academies in every major league city.

AARON GOODWIN, 42 | Agent
Last year's rank: 39 | Outlook: Up

Goodwin soared by signing LeBron James (No. 4) and getting him $135 million for endorsements. He recently signed Chris Webber and soon-to-be-hot-property Dwight Howard

HAROLD HENDERSON, 61 | Executive Vice President of Labor Relations, NFL
Last year's rank: 10 | Outlook: Up

As the counterpart to Upshaw (No. 6), Henderson has negotiated four extensions of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement and helped craft the league's steriod program.

JONATHAN MARINER, 49 | CFO, Major League Baseball
Last year's rank: 11 | Outlook: Up

Mariner has the unenviable task of managing baseball's convoluted finances. He runs the $1.5 billion credit program, which lends money to teams, and reviews all ownership applications.

BILL DUFFY, 44 | Agent
Last year's rank: 20 | Outlook: Up

He took a big hit in 2003 when client Jay Williams (Bulls) was in an ugly motorcycle accident. But not to worry: Duffy still reps Yao Ming (No. 3) and Carmelo Anthony (No. 71).

DON KING, 72 | Boxing Promoter
Last year's rank: 15 | Outlook: Even

Say what you will, much of boxing still comes through King. He controls three of the top heavyweights, as well as middleweight Félix Trinidad, who will make his comeback this fall.

TREVOR EDWARDS, 41 | Vice President of Brand Management, Nike
Last year's rank: 12 | Outlook: Even

A key player in Nike's signing of LeBron James (No. 4) and Serena Williams (No. 19) in 2003. And he's very popular in media circles. Why? Edwards has a $1 billion marketing budget.

BARRY BONDS, 39 | Outfielder, San Francisco Giants
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Even

His pursuit of Hank Aaron's HR record makes him baseball's biggest star. He's a top All-Star vote-getters, his at bats are must-see TV, and the Giants are among the biggest road draws.

OZZIE NEWSOME, 48 | Senior VP of Football Operations, Baltimore Ravens
Last year's rank: 22 | Outlook: Up

Okay, he didn't land Terrell Owens, but his recent drafts (TE Todd Heap, LB Terrell Suggs, QB Kyle Boller) have retooled this once-aging team and put it back in Super Bowl contention.

STEVE MILLS, 44 | President and COO, Madison Square Garden Sports
Last year's rank: 32 | Outlook: Up

After his promotion in December, Mills dumped Knicks president Scott Layden, replacing him with Isiah Thomas (No. 27), and helped spark a Garden revival -- especially financially.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ, 28 | Third Baseman, New York Yankees
Last year's rank: 62 | Outlook: Up

As a Ranger he was merely a great player. In New York he's a marketer's dream. A-Rod is rich, cool, telegenic, and he appeals to both Hispanic and non-Hispanic baseball fans.

TONY DUNGY, 48 | Coach, Indianapolis Colts
Last year's rank: 66 | Outlook: Up

Tampa who? Dungy, once fired by the Bucs, led the Colts to the AFC Championship Game last season. He is now a good bet to become the first black head coach to reach the Super Bowl.

SERENA WILLIAMS, 22 | Tennis Player
Last year's rank: 3 | Outlook: Down

Though slowed by injuries, Williams remains the most recognized U.S. female athlete. Her $40 million Nike deal ties her with big sister as the highest paid female endorser in sports.

JOE DUMARS, 40 | President of Basketball Operations, Detroit Pistons
Last year's rank: 27 | Outlook: Up

He became the first minority team president to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy when the Pistons won their first NBA title since 1990. Credit bold moves and a relentless work ethic.

MIKE GARRETT, 60 | Athletic Director, USC
Last year's rank: 49 | Outlook: Up

Under Garrett, USC returned to the top of college football in 2003. He oversees a $40 million budget and helped secure a record $35 million donation for a $70 million athletic complex.

TYRONE WILLINGHAM, 50 | Football Coach, Notre Dame
Last year's rank: 6 | Outlook: Down

No college football coach will be under more scrutiny this fall. Though Willingham led the Irish back to respectability, his 5-7 record last season has Irish faithful grumbling.

BILLY HUNTER, 61 | Executive Director, NBA Players Association
Last year's rank: 25 | Outlook: Up

There was plenty of griping about Hunter's role in the last CBA, but his players are still the highest paid in sports. Average salary has gone from $2.3 million to $4.9 million since 1996.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, 31 | Boxer
Last year's rank: 63 | Outlook: Up

Boxing's most marketable nonheavyweight is developing knockout power outside the ropes. His Golden Boy Promotions handles 25 Latino fighters, including Marco Antonio Barrera.

GENE WASHINGTON, 57 | Director of Football Operations, NFL
Last year's rank: 29 | Outlook: Up

He's judge and jury for on-field acts, which rankles some players. Last season Dan Klecko was fined $17,500 for two hits, though neither drew a flag. The amount was reduced by $2,500.

   SHAWN LAWSON-CUMMINGS, 40 | VP of International Licensing and
  Sponsorship, MLB
   Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: UP

International licensing executives are no longer bench players. Under her guidance, MLB's international sponsorship revenues jumped 20% this season; licensing is up 30%.

ISIAH THOMAS, 43 | General Manager, New York Knicks
Last year's rank: 52 | Outlook: Up

Hired to rebuild the anemic Knicks, Thomas shook things up -- some say too much; others, not enough -- and the club made the playoffs for the first time in three years. He's not done.

   ART SHELL, 57 | Senior Vice President of Football Operations
   and Development, NFL
   Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

After two years as an NFL appeals officer, the Hall of Fame player and former Raiders coach was recently hired to oversee league football operations including NFL Europe.

KEITH TRIBBLE, 48 | CEO, Orange Bowl
Last year's rank: 23 | Outlook: Up

The bowl has never been in better shape. It will host the 2005 BCS title game, which will be a fifth straight sellout. Over the past 12 years OB revenues have jumped 500% to $30 million.

KENNY WILLIAMS, 40 | General Manager, Chicago White Sox
Last year's rank: 16 | Outlook: Down

Williams is a key reason the Sox are vying for their first postseason berth in four years. He's attracted solid talent, but his best move was hiring Ozzie Guillen (No. 85) as manager.

SYLVESTER CROOM, 49 | Football Coach, Mississippi State
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

The first black head football coach in SEC history, Croom's true impact won't be measured by mere wins -- at least not yet. In Mississippi and beyond, his impact has already been profound.

OMAR MINAYA, 45 | General Manager, Montreal Expos
Last year's rank: 17 | Outlook: Down

With a tight-fisted owner (MLB) and a payroll ($41 million) that wouldn't cover A-Rod's tips, Minaya has one of the toughest gigs in sports, but he has kept the Expos competitive.

DUSTY BAKER, 55 | Manager, Chicago Cubs
Last year's rank: 37 | Outlook: Up

Last season -- his first in Chicago -- Baker's Cubs came within five outs of the World Series. Should he win a championship, he'll have a Jordan-like statue in the Windy City.

MICHAEL JORDAN, 41 | Future NBA Hall of Famer
Last year's rank: 4 | Outlook: Down

Where have you gone MJ? Not far, really. Though he last retired in 2003, Jordan is still a powerful brand. He's also respected by young players and could soon become an owner.

JAROME IGINLA, 26 | Forward, Calgary Flames
Last year's rank: 92 | Outlook: Up

Can Iginla save hockey? He's the game's best and most popular player since Wayne Gretzky, and the league will have to sell him hard if it hopes to grab the attention of U.S. fans.

TERDEMA USSERY, 45 | President and CEO, Dallas Mavericks
Last year's rank: 21 | Outlook: Even

Once on the outs with the Commish, owner Mark Cuban is cool with David Stern thanks to Ussery, who runs team operations and is the liaison between the Mavs and the league.

KIM NG, 35 | Assistant General Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Last year's rank: 38 | Outlook: Up

Ng may be the most powerful woman in baseball. She handles all roster moves, trades and contract negotiations for the Dodgers, and is on track to become baseball's first female G.M.

JORGE HIDALGO, 41 | Executive Vice President of Sports, Telemundo
Last year's rank: 34 | Outlook: Up

This will be a gigante year for NBC-owned Telemundo, which will telecast 170 hours of the Summer Olympics. The network continues to broadcast NBA games, a deal Hidalgo secured.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, 32 | Center, Los Angeles Lakers
Last year's rank: 13 | Outlook: Down

Shaq demanded a trade following the Lakers' loss in the NBA Finals. Off-season headlines will be dominated by speculation on where the game's most dominating force will play next.

   DAVID RONE, 42 | Senior VP of Network Development
  and Rights Acquisitions, Fox Sports
   Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Forget the long title -- just call him Fox's sports deal-maker. Rone negotiates all of the network's college football (Pac-10 and Big 12), Major League Baseball, NBA and NHL coverage.

DAN GUERRERO, 52 | Athletic Director, UCLA
Last year's rank: 28 | Outlook: Down

His two biggest hires -- football coach Karl Dorrell and basketball coach Ben Howland -- had losing seasons, but no other Latino heads an athletic department with a $40 million budget.

CHARLES WANG, 59 | Co-owner, New York Islanders
Last year's rank: 30 | Outlook: Down

The former computer magnate is trying to replace ancient Nassau Coliseum. He made a bid to buy the Nets, but withdrew before the team was sold to a group that included Jay-Z.

DENNIS GREEN, 55 | Coach, Arizona Cardinals
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Green hasn't coached in two years, but he still commands respect. That's why the Cardinals gave him a $10 million contract, more than double that of any previous Cardinals coach.

BILLY KING, 38 | President, Philadelphia 76ers
Last year's rank: 35 | Outlook: Down

King went through two coaches last season -- Randy Ayers and interim Chris Ford -- then hired Jim O'Brien. Now, Topic A in Philly is, Will King trade Allen Iverson?

JAMES HARRIS, 56 | Vice President of Player Personnel, Jackonsville Jaguars
Last year's rank: 36 | Outlook: Down

Harris just signed free-agent DE Hugh Douglas, the premier player available at his position. In about a year Harris has transformed an aging squad into a young and promising team.

MARVIN LEWIS, 45 | Coach, Cincinnati Bengals
Last year's rank: 73 | Outlook: Up

Lewis took a 2-14 team and nearly made the playoffs last season. Among his bold off-season moves in '04: naming second-year QB Carson Palmer the starter over veteran Jon Kitna.

FREDDY ADU, 15 | Forward, D.C. United
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Can he save pro soccer in the U.S.? A lot of folks think so. Nike and Pepsi signed him, he's the highest-paid player in MLS, and ABC aired his pro debut in D.C. United's season opener.

EUGENE PARKER, 47 | Agent
Last year's rank: 45 | Outlook: Even

A top NFL agent, Parker landed three clients who went in the first round of the '04 draft: No. 3 Larry Fitzgerald, No. 25 Ahmad Carroll and No. 26 Chris Perry.

KERY DAVIS, 46 | Senior Vice President of Programming, HBO Sports
Last year's rank: 24 | Outlook: Down

When Antonio Tarver KO'd Roy Jones Jr. in May, Davis, who books all of HBO's top fights, was floored. Davis also has Sugar Shane Mosley and the Klitschko brothers among his fighters.

DAMON EVANS, 34 | Athletic Director, Georgia
Last year's rank: 100 | Outlook: Up

An understudy for three years behind legend Vince Dooley, Evans became AD in December, the first black to hold the position in the SEC. He manages a $45 million budget.

VENUS WILLIAMS, 23 | Tennis Player
Last year's rank: 40 | Outlook: Down

The talented former grand slam champion seems drawn more to outside interests -- fashion and interior design -- after missing six months with a strained abdominal muscle.

BILL STRICKLAND, 55 | Agent
Last year's rank: 42 | Outlook: Even

Strickland and Ashe (53, below) represent more than 40 entertainers and athletes -- including Rasheed Wallace, Allan Houston and Daunte Culpepper -- and last October, Strickland became chair of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association. Ashe is the executive producer and marketing agent for Soul Spectacular on Ice, the first touring ice show featuring African-American figure skaters.

MASON ASHE, 40 | Agent
Last year's rank: 43 | Outlook: Even

See above (52)

FERNANDO CUZA, 47 | Agent
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

A top dog at mega-agency SFX, Cuza has a near monopoly on the best Latin baseball players, including Pedro Martinez, Mariano Rivera, Miguel Tejada and Vladimir Guerrero.

CRAIG LITTLEPAGE, 52 | Athletic Director, Virginia
Last year's rank: 46 | Outlook: Even

UVA had its best year in school history in '03, winning six ACC titles. He also helped raise $84 million for an on-campus basketball arena, scheduled to open in the fall of 2006.

STU JACKSON, 48 | Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations, NBA
Last year's rank: 47 | Outlook: Even

Jackson's getting no love these days. The NBA's discipline czar also chairs the committee selecting the Olympic basketball team. For myriad reasons, just seven of 12 spots are filled so far.

LOVIE SMITH, 46 | Coach, Chicago Bears
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Call him Chicago's Hope. As defensive coordinator he helped St. Louis reach Super Bowl XXXVI. Beleaguered Bears fans will settle for respectability from the rookie coach, for now.

ALLEN IVERSON, 29 | Guard, Philadelphia 76ers
Last year's rank: 48 | Outlook: Down

AI is coming off perhaps his most controversial season: He missed practices and boycotted a game after being told he wasn't starting. He's still popular, and still a Sixer. But stay tuned.

ED TAPSCOTT, 50 | President and COO, Charlotte Bobcats
Last year's rank: 56 | Outlook: Even

The key nuts-and-bolts man for the NBA's newest team. Tapscott recently hired Bernie Bickerstaff as G.M. and will play a crucial role in getting the Bobcats up and running.

TUBBY SMITH, 52 | Basketball Coach, Kentucky Acquisitions, Fox Sports
Last year's rank: 51 | Outlook: Even

In 2004 Smith won his fourth SEC title. An early-round NCAA exit riled rabid UK fans, but a top-ranked recruiting class calmed them down, at least for the time being.

BOB WATSON, 58 | Vice President, Major League Baseball
Last year's rank: 53 | Outlook: Down

Baseball's discipline chief and a respected baseball man, Watson has been fair and tough. Key tests: Sammy Sosa's corked bat and Milton Bradley's tantrum this month.

LARRY MILLER, 54 | President, Jordan Brand
Last year's rank: 65 | Outlook: Up

Who needs MJ? When Jordan finally left the court, Miller signed Anthony (No. 71), Gary Payton and Jason Kidd to Team Jordan and sales revenues rose 16% last year to $500 million.

MICHAEL VICK, 23 | Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Last year's rank: 77 | Outlook: Up

After missing most of 2003 with a broken fibula, Vick is anxious to strut his stuff again. And fans (even outside of Atlanta) are eager to watch. His number 7 is the league's best-selling jersey.

CARL POSTON, 48 | Agent
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

The Poston brothers (Ranked 64 and 65) have an impressive list of NFL clients, including LaVar Arrington, Charles Woodson and Ty Law. Their company -- Professional Sports Planning, which was founded in 1989 and has offices in Houston and Detroit -- had four clients selected in this year's NFL draft. Three were first-rounders (including No. 6 Kellen Winslow), as many as any other agency.

KEVIN POSTON, 45 | Agent
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

See above (64).

HERMAN EDWARDS, 50 | Coach, New York Jets
Last year's rank: 60 | Outlook: Even

Edwards replaced four assistants after going 6-10 last year. Though respected by players and management, Edwards needs to make the playoffs next season to keep fans off his back.

ICHIRO SUZUKI, 30 | Rightfielder, Seattle Mariners
Last year's rank: 54 | Outlook: Down

Ichiro led the exodus of top Japanese position players to the U.S. He's the most popular Mariner and, though he's recently batted third, remains a feared leadoff hitter.

ROD GRAVES, 45 | VP of Football Operations, Arizona Cardinals
Last year's rank: 33 | Outlook: Down

Graves handles player personnel, the salary cap and he hired Dennis Green (No. 43). Arizona is the first NFL team with minorities as the top football executive and as head coach.

FELIPE ALOU, 69 | Manager, San Francisco Giants
Last year's rank: 55 | Outlook: Down

A godfather to Latin players for nearly three decades, Alou won 100 games last season and has the Giants back in contention this year after a dismal start.

CARMELO ANTHONY, 20 | Forward, Denver Nuggets
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

The shoulda-been co-Rookie of the Year led a team from just 17 wins the previous season into the playoffs. He and LeBron James (No. 4) made us stop pining for "the next MJ."

PAUL HEWITT, 41 | Basketball Coach, Georgia Tech
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

He moved from obscurity to "most wanted" coach by taking Yellow Jackets to the NCAA title game. His reward: a new six-year, nearly $7 million deal. Smart move, Tech.

GENE SMITH, 48 | Athletic Director, Arizona State
Last year's rank: 57 | Outlook: Down

In just four years Smith has nearly erased Arizona State's $4 million budget deficit. In April he helped establish the Pat Tillman Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

HERMAN FRAZIER, 49 | Athletic Director, Hawaii
Last year's rank: 59 | Outlook: Down

A former Olympian, Frazier is moonlighting as Chef de Mission for the U.S. team, meaning he's involved in all planning for the 800-plus athletes who'll go to Athens.

C. LAMONT SMITH, 46 | Agent
Last year's rank: 50 | Outlook: Up

Smith is leveraging his large NFL client list to launch a sportswear company called Elete. Four of his athletes will endorse, and Smith believes as many as 30 will wear the threads.

FLOYD KERR, 57 | Athletic Director, Southern University
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

He's remade the department in less than two years by tightening operations and stressing academics. Under Kerr, athlete graduation rates have soared from 27% to 63%.

DON NOMURA, 46 | Agent
Last year's rank: 26 | Outlook: Down

The man who in 1995 found the loophole in Japanese baseball contracts that allowed players from that nation to sign with MLB represents Hideo Nomo and Akinori Otsuka.

HIDEKI MATSUI, 30 | Leftfielder, New York Yankees
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Godzilla is a hit in New York, and he's a major reason MLB has a $275 million Japanese TV deal to broadcast games through 2010. His jersey is a huge seller internationally.

DONNA BRYAN, 36 | Vice President of Business Affairs, NBC Sports
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Handles business and legal affairs for the network and helped negotiate broadcast rights to sports properties, including NASCAR, the PGA and Wimbledon.

KELVIN SAMPSON, 48 | Basketball Coach, Oklahoma
Last year's rank: 61 | Outlook: Down

Sampson, a Native American, has made basketball a big draw in football country in his 10 years at the school. Injuries kept the 2004 Sooners out of the NCAAs for the first time since 1994.

WAYNE COOPER, 47 | VP of Basketball Operations, Sacramento Kings
Last year's rank: 41 | Outlook: Even

The former journeyman center oversees all scouting and is credited for discovering Peja Stojakovic and Hedo Turkoglu. Some NBA team will give Cooper his shot at a top job.

KEVIN GARNETT, 28 | Forward, Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

With the MVP award and a trip to the Western Conference finals, the Kid came of age this season -- on the court and as a marketing force. And he's still the game's highest-paid player.

TERRY PORTER, 41 | Coach, Milwaukee Bucks
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

In his debut as a head coach, this ex-NBA guard transformed a moribund, lottery-bound team into a playoff contender. People noticed: He finished third in coach of the year voting.

   RAY ANDERSON, 50 | Executive VP and Chief Administrative
  Officer, Atlanta Falcons
   Last year's rank: 58 | Outlook: Down

Though still valued by owner Arthur Blank, Anderson lost some juice with the hiring of G.M. Rich McKay last December. He's a member of the NFL's Committee on Workplace Diversity.

LINO GARCIA, 43 | General Manager, ESPN Deportes
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

The former G.M. of Sony Entertainment Television's Latin American Division now heads ESPN's new Spanish-language cable network, which reaches more than a million homes.

OZZIE GUILLEN, 40 | Manager, Chicago White Sox
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

The charismatic Venezuelan, who played for the Sox for 13 years, has brought energy -- and wins -- to the franchise, and he's become a mentor to many Latin players.

   MARTIN MAYHEW, 38 | Senior VP of Football Administration and
  Legal Affairs, Detroit Lions
   Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Mayhew, a former director of administration for the XFL, is responsible for the team's football operations, contract negotiations and salary-cap management.

FLOYD KEITH, 55 | Executive Director, Black Coaches Association
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

His organization is a quiet force for change in an industry in dire need of it. It maintains a database of minority coaches and will soon release a report grading schools' diversity efforts.

KARL DORRELL, 40 | Football Coach, UCLA
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Even

A former top Bruins receiver, Dorrell now has the difficult task of making the Bruins a power again -- in the shadow of USC's turnaround. After starting 6-2 last year, UCLA lost five straight.

JAMES (BUBBA) STEWART, 18 | Motocross Racer
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Is Stewart the Tiger Woods of motocross? The 2002 125-cc national champion is the first black to win a motocross race and is one of the sport's best and most popular bikers.

TROY VINCENT, 33 | Cornerback, Buffalo Bills
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

The five-time All-Pro was recently elected president of the NFL Players Association, which makes him a key player for powerful union head Gene Upshaw (No. 6).

MAGIC JOHNSON, 44 | Vice President, Los Angeles Lakers, TNT Analyst
Last year's rank: 44 | Outlook: Even

A hugely successful entrepreneur outside sports, he also owns 5% of the Lakers and last month was named co-chair of NASCAR's Executive Steering Committee for Diversity.

MIKE BANTOM, 52 | Senior Vice President of Player Development, NBA
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

By overseeing the NBA's Rookie Transition and Continuing Education programs, Bantom tries to school players on how to handle life during and after basketball.

JAMES TANNER JR., 35 | Lawyer
Last year's rank: 78 | Outlook: Even

Tanner represents Tim Duncan and Shane Battier, but he's more noted for altering the way agents and athletes do business -- billing clients by the hour, instead of taking a percentage.

BERNIE TOLBERT, 55 | Vice President of Security, NBA
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Down

The 21-year FBI veteran arguably has the most important job in the NBA: ensuring the safety of players, coaches and fans. Taking care of NBA stars in Athens will be his toughest test yet.

STUART SCOTT, 38 | ESPN, Anchor
Last year's rank: 81 | Outlook: Even

The popular anchor has added to the sports vernacular more than any anchor since Chris Berman, and he scored major airtime hosting Dream Job, the network's hit reality series.

PETER WESTBROOK, 52 | Fencer
Last year's rank: 71 | Outlook: Up

The 1984 bronze medalist is now a top coach who recruits and trains inner-city kids in the New York area. Four of the 14 U.S. Olympians headed to Athens are Westbrook protégés.

PETER BYNOE, 53 | Lawyer
Last year's rank: 84 | Outlook: Even

A former Nuggets minority owner, he now negotiates stadium deals for pro teams and also represents several athletes, including Michael Jordan and Donovan McNabb.

JOHN CHANEY, 72 | Basketball Coach, Temple
Last year's rank: 68 | Outlook: Down

The Yoda of college basketball, Chaney's influence on his players is as strong as ever. "He's taught me more than basketball," said David Hawkins. "He taught me to become a man."

ROMEO CRENNEL, 56 | Defensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

He helped build the vaunted Patriots defense, which carried New England to its second Super Bowl in three years. If he is not a head coach soon, call the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

100

WENDY LEWIS, 49 | VP of Strategic Planning, Recruitment and Diversity, MLB
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

She oversees the most impactful diversity program in sports. Due to her work, MLB will spend $300 million with minority-owned enterprises this year.

101

MICHELLE WIE, 14 | Golfer
Last year's rank: NR | Outlook: Up

Is she the future of golf? After missing the cut by only one stroke at this year's Sony Open -- on the PGA Tour -- she received invitations to play in seven other Tour events.