May 9, 2011 - Autumn Games would like to congratulate Jimmie Johnson on being named Forbes Magazine’s most influential athlete in an annual study co-conducted by E-poll Market Research and Nielson Media Research. Based on likeability, talent, and awareness, the survey polled 1,000 adults to come up with the most (positively) influential athlete. Tom Van Riper of Forbes highlights that talent is only a portion of what makes an athlete influential citing that “Endorsements and media attention, along with off the field image all factor in. In short, has the player raised interest in the sport he plays?” With five consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship, Jimmie’s undeniable talent has improved NASCAR and pushed the competition to keep up. Paired with his excellence on the track, Jimmie’s influence grows out of his real world likeability and has translated into successful endorsements and business ventures including Autumn’s very own Jimmie Johnson’s Anything with an Engine video game due to come out later this year.
Mild mannered and positive, the El Cajon, California native seems like the guy next door not the premier driver in the U.S.’s fastest growing sport (TV ratings have been up 6% this year due close and exciting races at every NASCAR stop). This low-key persona has helped push him to the top of a list that includes Tom Brady (#2), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#3), and Lebron James (#9). The Forbes list shows high value in athletes who are “intensely competitive without ostentation, and valuing winning above calling attention to oneself. And (mostly) avoiding big controversy off the field (or track).” With many athletes in the news for the wrong reasons, Autumn is honored by its partnership with Jimmie Johnson, one of the world’s classiest athletes both on and off the track.