Same Game, New Players Thirty new entrants made this year's list, including key executives in baseball and the NFL, an SEC football coach and a teenage golf phenom

1
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.

2
TIGER WOODS, 28
Golfer
last year's rank: 2
Outlook [same]
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.

3
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.

4
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.

5
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.

6
GENE UPSHAW, 58
Executive Director, NFL Players Association
Last Year's rank: 8
Outlook [same]
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.

7
JIMMIE LEE SOLOMON, 47
Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, Major League
Baseball
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.

8
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.

9
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.

10
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.

11
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).

12
DON KING, 72
Boxing Promoter
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 15
OUTLOOK [same]
Say what you will, much of boxing still comes through King. He
controls three of the top heavyweights, as well as middleweight
Felix Trinidad, who will make his comeback this fall.

13
TREVOR EDWARDS, 41
Vice President of Brand Management, Nike
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 12
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

14
BARRY BONDS, 39
Outfielder, San Francisco Giants
LAST YEAR'S RANK: NR
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

15
OZZIE NEWSOME, 48
Senior Vice President 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.

16
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.

17
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.

18
TONY DUNGY, 48
Coach, Indianapolis Colts
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 66
OUTLOOK
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.

19
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.

20
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.

21
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.

22
TYRONE WILLINGHAM, 50
FOOTBALL COACH, NOTRE DAME
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 6
OUTLOOK [up]
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.

23
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.

24
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.

25
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.

26
SHAWN LAWSON-CUMMINGS, 40
VP of International Licensing and Sponsorship, Major League
Baseball
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%.

27
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.

28
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.

29
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.

30
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.

31
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.

32
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.

33
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.

34
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.

35
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.

36
TERDEMA USSERY, 45
President and CEO, Dallas Mavericks
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 21
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

37
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.

38
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.

39
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.

40
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.

41
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.

42
CHARLES WANG, 59
Last Year's rank: 34
Outlook
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.

43
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.

44
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?

45
JAMES HARRIS, 56
Vice President of Player Personnel, Jackonsville Jaguars
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 28
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.

46
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.

47
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.

48
EUGENE PARKER, 47
Agent
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 45
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

49
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.

50
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.

51
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.

52
BILL STRICKLAND, 55
Agent
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 42
OUTLOOK [same]
&
53
MASON ASHE, 40
Agent
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 43
OUTLOOK [same]
They 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.

54
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.

55
CRAIG LITTLEPAGE, 52
Athletic Director, Virginia
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 46
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

56
STU JACKSON, 48
Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations, NBA
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 47
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

57
LOVIE SMITH, 46
Coach, Chicago Bears
LAST YEAR'S RANK: NR
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

58
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.

59
ED TAPSCOTT, 50
President and COO, Charlotte Bobcats
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 56
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

60
TUBBY SMITH, 52
Basketball Coach, Kentucky
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 51
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

61
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.

62
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.

63
MICHAEL VICK, 23
Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 77
OUTLOOK [up]
After missing most of 2003 with a knee injury, 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.

64
CARL POSTON, 48
Agent
LAST YEAR'S RANK: NR
OUTLOOK [up]
&
65
KEVIN POSTON, 45
Agent
LAST YEAR'S RANK: NR
OUTLOOK [up]
The Poston brothers 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.

66
HERMAN EDWARDS, 50
Coach, New York Jets
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 60
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

67
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.

68
ROD GRAVES, 45
Vice President 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.

69
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.

70
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."

71
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.

72
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.

73
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.

74
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.

75
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%.

76
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.

77
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.

78
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.

79
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.

80
WAYNE COOPER, 47
Vice President of Basketball Operations, Sacramento Kings
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 41
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

81
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.

82
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.

83
RAY ANDERSON, 50
Executive Vice President 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.

84
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.

85
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.

86
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.

87
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.

88
KARL DORRELL, 40
Football Coach, UCLA
LAST YEAR'S RANK: NR
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

89
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.

90
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).

91
MAGIC JOHNSON, 44
Vice President, Los Angeles Lakers, TNT Analyst
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 44
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

92
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.

93
JAMES TANNER JR., 35
Lawyer
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 78
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

94
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.

95
STUART SCOTT, 38
ESPN, Anchor
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 81
OUTLOOK [same]
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.

96
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 proteges.

97
PETER BYNOE, 53
Lawyer
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 84
OUTLOOK [same]
A former Nuggets minority owner, he now negotiates stadium deals
for pro teams and also represents several athletes, including
Michael Jordan and Donovan McNabb.

98
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."

99
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.

COLOR PHOTO: STEPHEN DUNN/GETTY IMAGES; PHOTO BACKGROUNDS ALTERED BY SI IMAGING No. 1 ARTURO MORENO

COLOR PHOTO: SANDRA TENUTO No. 43 DENNIS GREEN

COLOR PHOTO: ROD MAR/SEATTLE TIMES NO. 67 ICHIRO SUZUKI

COLOR PHOTO: JEFFREY LOWE No. 70 CARMELO ANTHONY

COLOR PHOTO: STEVE GRAYSON/WIRE IMAGE.COM No. 101 MICHELLE WIE

OUR CRITERIA
To qualify for this year's list, an individual had to have the
power to hire and fire (or substantially influence those who do),
hold a significant senior-level position with a team, league or
major sports enterprise or have a profound economic impact on the
sports economy. The rankings are based on several factors,
including the size of the person's company, division or budget,
and the breadth of his or her influence.