Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is the most marketable player in the NFL, according to an exclusive survey of sports business execs, analysts and media personalities conducted by SportsBusiness Daily. The Super Bowl XLV MVP edged out Patriots QB Tom Brady, with three other QBs – the Colts’ Peyton Manning, the Saints’ Drew Brees and the Broncos’ Tim Tebow – rounding out the top five. Rodgers was named on 41 of 50 ballots, five more than either Brady or Manning. However, Brady did receive 15 first-place votes compared to 12 for Rodgers. Quarterbacks not surprisingly dominated the survey, with eight signal-callers making the top 11. The Steelers’ Troy Polamalu is the highest-ranking defensive player. Notably, no running backs or wide receivers placed higher than 13th. Six participants in Super Bowl XLVI received at least one vote in the survey – Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Chad Ochocinco and Vince Wilfork for the Patriots and the Giants’ Manning and Victor Cruz. The survey was distributed to corporate brand managers, marketing and brand executives, agencies and football media, who were asked to list, in order, the top five more marketable players in the NFL. Points were awarded on a five-point scale, with a player awarded five points for a first-place vote, four points for second place, etc.
NFL MOST MARKETABLE PLAYERS
1. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
2. Patriots QB Tom Brady
3. Colts QB Peyton Manning
4. Saints QB Drew Brees
5. Broncos QB Tim Tebow
6. Steelers S Troy Polamalu
7. Giants QB Eli Manning
8. Panthers QB Cam Newton
9. Packers LB Clay Matthews
T10. Ravens LB Ray Lewis
T10. Cowboys QB Tony Romo