Adu - Influential Minority

[DjTannerr]

The new Sports Illustrated (June 28, 2004), has a 101 Most Influential Minorites list, and clocking in at number 47, is none other than Freddy Adu. Good job Freddy!

[United_Caps_Fan]

Props to Freddy! :D


Not to take anything away from Freddy, but he did have some help from the big hype machine known as MLS. ;)

[TheInstigator]

Props to Freddy! :D


Not to take anything away from Freddy, but he did have some help from the big hype machine known as MLS. ;)

And Jordan didn't have one in Nike or the NBA?

[owendylan]

And Jordan didn't have one in Nike or the NBA?
Jordan's not a 15 year old who hasn't done d**k. Nor does Adu have business interests in the 100's of millions of dollars. Adu can't pick up the phone and find a few guys ready to plunk down a couple hundred mil to buy a basketball team. The fact he's at 47 probably has more to do with the MLS hype machine. Jordan has had a long and respected career as both a player and businessman. While he was playing the NBA hyped him beyond belief but he's been out of the league for a few years and the NBA couldn't care less about him. Also the fact he won 6 titles and is currently widely regarded as the best played to ever play his sport kight have something to do with it.

[beltwayrob]

What is the criteria used for the list? Is it based on several factors like polularity, community involvement, etc?

I still think its too early for Freddy's impact to be made on anything other then MLS attendance numbers for his first year. I'm not trying to Freddy hate over here but, I mean he is ONLY 15 years old. He's scored a couple goals in league play. What if anything has he done for the DC community thus far? You want to look at influential minorities, look at people like Jordan, Magic, Tiger, that pesky guy that plays for the Yankees (I don't mention Yankee players names).

I think Adu has potential to become one of those most influential people in sport but he has to develop as a player first, and definitely needs to make an impact on this community before I could ever see SI justifying putting him up on that list again.

Regardless, congrats to Mr. Adu, hopefully he can live up to that honor.

[United_Caps_Fan]

And Jordan didn't have one in Nike or the NBA?



I didnt say that. But I dont think theres much to compare there either. a 15 year old VS an NBA superstar who had a long and glorious career? Apples and Oranges.


Did Jordan have all that before he ever set foot on the court? Did he get the same hype from the NBA that Freddy got from MLS?

I really honestly cant remember. I think I was too young back then, or just didnt care enough to pay attention or both. Ive never followed basketball, and never cared for it other than the NCAA tournament.

[McOwen]

People actually read Sports Illustrated?! :D

[TEConnor]

People actually read Sports Illustrated?! :D

I haven't read it since my football phone crapped out on me in eigth grade while talking with the hottest chick in school!

Seriously, I hope Eddie Pope was on there...he'd truly be deserving.

Tim