The Global 25

On the world stage, these power players have earned top billing

01 JOSEPH BLATTER President, FIFA
As soccer's chieftain says himself: "FIFA is like the United Nations, but it has more members and is more powerful."

02 JACQUES ROGGE President, International Olympic Committee
Rogge presided over the Beijing Olympics, the most watched in history, drawing an estimated 4.4 billion viewers worldwide.

03 BERNIE ECCLESTONE CEO and President, Formula One
Zoom, zoom. Fast cars on prestigious courses have boosted Ecclestone's personal worth to nearly $5 billion.

04 HERBERT HAINER CEO, Adidas
Adidas is omnipresent in soccer, making the German company Europe's top sportswear outfit.

05 DAVID BECKHAM Soccer midfielder, Los Angeles Galaxy
He may be past his playing prime, but his $250 million deal proves he's still one of the world's most marketable athletes.

06 ROMAN ABRAMOVICH Owner, Chelsea Football Club
The Russian tycoon and his famed Blues were one penalty kick away from a European title in 2008.

07 CRISTIANO RONALDO Soccer right/left winger, Manchester United
The Portuguese phenom may well be the world's best soccer player, explaining the recent bidding war for his talent.

08 MICHEL PLATINI President, Union of European Football Associations
The largest of the six confederations within FIFA, UEFA is drawing even American audiences, thanks to coverage of overseas soccer by ESPN.

09 ROGER FEDERER Tennis champ
Federer just clinched his fifth consecutive U.S. Open title and has endorsement deals with Gillette, Rolex, and Nike.

10 HARUYUKI TAKAHASHI Senior Managing Director, Dentsu
The Japanese company co-owns the broadcast rights in key parts of Asia for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

11 SILVIO BERLUSCONI President, A.C. Milan
While not busy as Italy's Prime Minister, the billionaire dotes on his country's most prestigious soccer club.

12 LEWIS HAMILTON Formula One racer
At only 23, Hamilton appears to be the driver most likely to fill the void left by Michael Schumacher's retirement.

13 LUCA DIMONTEZEMOLO President, Ferrari
Ferrari is back on top as Europe's leading Formula One carmaker.

14 RAMON CALDERON President, Real Madrid
The head of one of the world's most popular soccer franchises seems willing to spend almost anything to win.

15 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Retired Formula One racer
The German retired after the 2006 season, but his presence still looms over the sport.

16 YAO MING Center, Houston Rockets
The 7-foot, 6-inch international star towers over Chinese sports as a role model and symbol of national pride.

17 GILBERT FELLI Executive Director, Olympic Games
He served as a key voice for the IOC during the 2008 Games.

18 DIETRICH MATESCHITZ Co-owner, Red Bull racing teams
The Austrian billionaire tapped his energy-drink fortune to buy a powerful Formula One racing team and soccer clubs in Austria and the U.S.

19 LALIT MODI Chairman and Commissioner, Indian Premier League
He helped create the top cricket league in the world's second-most-populous land.

20 RICHARD SCUDAMORE CEO, F.A. Premier League
The league dominates European soccer, with three of the four semifinal teams in this year's Champions League.

21 RON DENNIS Principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
McLaren stands second only to Ferrari in Formula One racing.

22 TIMO LUMME Director, TV and marketing services, International Olympic Committee
Brought in hundreds of millions of dollars to the IOC by selling marketing rights to the Summer Games.

23 SACHIN TENDULKAR Indian cricketer
Captain of the Mumbai Indians, the Master Blaster ranks among the best batsmen in the history of the game.

24 JOSÉ MOURINHO Manager, Inter Milan
One of soccer's highest-paid coaches is taking over the 2007/08 champions of Italy's Serie A.

25 MARIA SHARAPOVA Tennis Star
Sharapova has turned her striking looks and devastating serve into successes on and off the court.

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