Virat Kohli emerges as the most marketable cricketer in the world

Virat Kohli emerges as the most marketable cricketer in the world: The Indian Test team skipper, Virat Kohli has been identified as the most marketable cricketer in the world by SportsPro magazine, UK. In a list of 50 best commercially viable athletes, Virat Kohli is on the sixth position and the best placed cricketer in the world. Canadian tennis star Eugiene Bouchard leads the list, followed by Brazilian soccer sensation Neymar as the most marketable sportspersons of the world.

Virat Kohli has been in sensational form for Team India and Royal Challengers Bangalore and is a popular figure among the millions of cricket fans across the globe. His aggression, skills, technique, form and killer looks have made him a fan favorite for both the genders in the world.

Eugiene Bouchard, 21, won the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) Most Improved Player award in the year 2014. She was a finalist in the Wimbledon and reached two Grand Slam semi finals in the past year. Eugiene is rated as the most marketable sports person in the world.

Brazilian footballer Neymar is a two time topper of the list (2012 & 2013). His move to Barcelona has made him a global superstar adored by millions of fans around the world. Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton, topped the list a year ago, but has dropped to fifth place in the current rankings. Japanese tennis player is the highest placed new entrant on the list. Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt who topped the list in 2011 has fallen to the 10th place this year.

The list is calculated considering various factors like age, home market, charisma, willingness to be marketed and crossover appeal. The rankings effectively show the marketing potential of these athletes over the next three years.

In a statement to the press, SportsPro Editorial Director, James Emmet said, “As ever, these rankings are not about pinpointing the most commercially valuable athlete in the world today, but rather they are an attempt to identify marketing potential over the next three years.”

“There is debate every year about who does and doesn’t make the list. Our underlying mission is always in identifying athlete marketing bets for the mid-term future. In other words, if you were a sponsor, which athletes are going to provide value for your marketing money, and help build your brand over the next three years? We’re finding the commercial stars of tomorrow, and they are not necessarily the commercial stars of today,” he added.

Top 10 most marketable athletes:

1. Eugenie Bouchard (Tennis)

2. Neymar (Football)

3. Jordan Spieth (Golf)

4. Missy Franklin (Swimming)

5. Lewis Hamilton (F1)

6. Virat Kohli (Cricket)

7. Stephen Curry (Basketball)

8. Kei Nishikori (Tennis)

9. Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Athletics)

10. Usain Bolt (Athletics)