Despite leading the most storied franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB) to its 27th World Series Championship last year, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez remains among the most despised figures in professional sports.
According to a Forbes Magazine poll, A-Rod ranked eighth on the list of the most disliked people in sports; which included such notorious transgressors as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and golfer Tiger Woods.
On the bright side, this is an improvement for the 3-time American League MVP who was a third place finisher last year after his admission to the use of performance-enhancing drugs between 2001 and 2003.
The poll, conducted by California-based E-Poll Market Research, ranked sports figures on the public’s likability scorecard; utilizing a nationwide pool of 1,100 people, aged 13 or older. Candidacy was limited to active athletes, coaches, managers, agents and broadcasters. A 10% minimum awareness level with the American public was also a prerequisite.
Although nearly three years removed from pleading guilty to his involvement in an interstate dog-fighting ring, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick topped the poll for the second consecutive year.
Vick, who turns 30 later this month, was one of five NFL figures to crack the top 10 of this undistinguished list. The former Atlanta Falcons signal caller was joined by Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens and the previously mentioned Ben Roethlisberger.
Rounding out the top ten were St. Louis Cardinals batting coach Mark McGwire, free agent NBA point guard Allen Iverson and Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas.
The complete list, which includes the percentage of respondents who disliked them, is as follows:
1. Michael Vick – 69%
2. Al Davis – 66%
3. Ben Roethlisberger – 57%
4. Tiger Woods – 53%
4. Jerry Jones – 53%
6. Mark McGwire – 48%
7. Terrell Owens – 47%
8. Alex Rodriguez – 45%
8. Allen Iverson – 45%
10. Gilbert Arenas – 44%
Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and video perspective on the men who are despised more than any of their contemporaries.
The 10 Most Disliked People in Professional Sports Today
