Survey giant Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research released their latest study today measuring the most disliked athletes in America. The list includes some big names, some surprises and at least one stunning reversal of fortune.
In the poll fans were asked for their opinion on a myriad of professional athletes in the United States. For the purposes of these rankings the answers dislike somewhat, dislike, and dislike a lot, were combined to provide the percentages.
Busch, who has 24 Cup wins and was the 2004 Cup Series Champion in the first ever “Chase for the Cup,” has lost his luster recently. Run ins with the law, as well as other drivers Jimmy Spencer, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Robbie Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart have contributed to negative feelings about him.REUTERSSeen by many as an ultra-conceited drama queen who has never quite lived up to his massive contract, it is perhaps more surprising that he doesn’t rank higher on this list. His known use of steroids has not helped his reputation either. But, maybe his clutch performances in the 2009 World Series have softened opinions on Rodriguez.REUTERSIt is telling that an athlete who has not actually competed in over a year is still so disliked. He is polarizing as fans either love him or hate him, but his antics have turned many fans off. In just the past five years he allegedly attempted suicide, starred in one of the worst reality television shows ever, lifted weights in his driveway for a crowd of reporters and generally made a pest out of himself, all while being a pretty mediocre receiver.REUTERSKobe is seen as conceited by some fans, and a whiner by others. His feud with the very well-liked Shaquille O’Neil didn’t help him, nor did settling out of court when rape allegations were brought against him in Colorado. He is currently going through a divorce which also helps to turn fans, especially women against him.REUTERSTwo words, “The Decision.” James’ choice to leave his hometown team for Miami in an hour long, nationally televised, event turned him into one of the most hated men in basketball.; holding an enormous rally to introduce himself and his new teammates before they had even won a game made him look conceited. But it is his propensity to completely disappear when the game is on the line that drives fans craziest.REUTERSHumphries made the enormous mistake of marrying Kim Kardashian which made him a joke in the eyes of most NBA fans, when they divorced weeks later amid rumors that he was less than attentive as a husband turned his ex-wife’s legion of fans on him. This guy just can’t catch a break.REUTERSREUTERSBurress missed two seasons of his career thanks to a gun possession charge after he shot himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub. But he wasn’t exactly a good guy before that; he has a checkered past full of fines for skipping practice and meetings or verbally abusing officials.REUTERSTiger Woods life came crashing down in Nov. 2009 when he lost control of his car, hitting a fire hydrant and a neighbor's tree after pulling out of his driveway in the early hours of the morning. Initially, reports covering the story said that the golfer's wife smashed the back window to get him out, saving his wife. Later, reports clarified that Woods was actually making a getaway from his angry wife, who had been striking the vehicle with the golf club after finding out about his affairs. Coverage on the accident turned the star golfer from victim to offender, as more evidence of his adultery was revealed. REUTERSVick, who spent two years in prison for charges related to running a dog fighting ring, has not recovered his image despite some impressive play since he got out of jail. Though hard core NFL fans respect and admire him for his comeback and the way he fought through adversity, the casual fans still think of him torturing and killing “man’s best friend.”REUTERS
