By Nick Georgandis
British sports magazine SportsPro Media released its list of the 50 most marketable athletes in the world on Monday with some staggering results.
Apparently focusing on potential rather than resume, the magazine selected American phenom Sloane Stephens as No. 9 on its list, making her the most marketable female athlete in the world.
The magazine lists its central criteria as "money, age, home market, charisma, willingness to be marketed and crossover appeal."
Eight tennis players make the list - Novak Djokovic at No. 6, Stephens at No. 9, Victoria Azarenka at No. 15, Maria Sharapova at No. 16, Andy Murray at No. 18, Caroline Wozniacki at No. 23, Rafael Nadal at No. 25 and Laura Robson at No. 40.
That's not a typo nor an omission - neither Roger Federer nor Serena Williams made the list, perhaps because both are over 30, but honestly, how is that even possible, particularly when Forbes recently named Federer the no. 2 most valuable brand in the sports world behind only Tiger Woods.
Williams not being included on the list makes only a fraction more sense. She's over 30 as well and has had a few blowups over the years, but is any woman in sports more recognizable?