Top 50 lists are often subjective, often plain wrong but they always prompt debate.
One that crossed the DSC Ed’s desk this morning was the latest list of the top 50 most marketable world sports stars from the highly reputable Sports Pro Magazine.
The protagonists are judged on six key criteria: Age, Value for Money, Charisma (sorry Kimi), Home Market, Crossover Appeal and a Willingness to be Marketed. The consideration is given to the potential for all of the above for a three year period from this summer.
There are some obvious inclusions in the list: Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi etc and there are no fewer than six names from motorsport: F1 sees Messrs Vettel (21st) and Hamilton (5th), Moto GP gets the mercurial Marc Marquez with NASCAR young guns Austin Dillon and Chase Elliott also making the cut.
In at number 50 though is a man we know very well, Jann Mardenborough.
http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable/50_most_marketable_2015_jann_mardenborough
That’s a simply astonishing endorsement of his talent, character, and of the way in which his career from living room couch too LMP1 factory driver has been managed.
It’s great too to see the rise of the sportscar code being recognised in quite illustrious company.
Well done Jann, and Nissan, now it’s time to boost that rating with some more on-track brilliance with the GT-R LM!
