Symonds loses marketability as Ponting’s value soars

Andrew Symonds has taken another hit with the wayward cricket star’s marketability falling dramatically after a forgettable year of off-field controversies.

Seemingly the face of Australian cricket in 2008, the knockabout Symonds is now on the nose for advertisers according to the annual Sweeney Sports Report.

While captain Ricky Ponting is seen as Australia’s most marketable sportsperson and four other cricketers sit in the top 11, Symonds has slumped from 10th to 36th on the 2009 list.

The drop comes as Symonds last week missed selection for the Ashes tour following his struggle to regain his swashbuckling form after a string of off-field dramas that had him in danger of losing his Cricket Australia contract.

The problems started when Symonds was axed from the national team after his `gone fishing’ episode in Darwin, while he was also fined $4,000 for an infamous alcohol-fuelled radio rant.

“His fall from favour continues a consistent attitude among Australians that sports stars involved in controversial behaviour are not regarded as highly marketable,” said Sweeney Sports general manager Todd Deacon.

“Fellow cricketer Shane Warne, AFL footballer Wayne Carey and tennis stars Jelena Dokic and Mark Philippoussis have in the past suffered similarly.”

Like Symonds, footballer Sonny-Bill Williams and AFL star Barry Hall suffered major drops for their own controversies.

Williams fell 34 positions on the list to 78th after he walked out on rugby league and his NRL club the Bulldogs to play rugby union in France.

Swans forward Hall dropped 25 spots to 63rd after being suspended for seven weeks for punching West Coast’s Brent Staker last year.

Australia’s most comprehensive sports survey found retirement was no obstacle to recently-retired greats cashing in on their profile.

Cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh, swimmers Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe, tennis player Pat Rafter and runner Cathy Freeman were all rated in the top 10.

“All are highly respected for their on and off-field achievements,” Deacon said.

“Their favouritism indicates that Australians continue to revere `superstars’ often well after their playing days have ended.”

Olympic darling Stephanie Rice rocketed into seventh place with her three Beijing Games gold medals to be the highest ranked female sportsperson.

Fellow swimmers Leisel Jones and Libby Trickett climbed to 12th and 13th positions respectively.

Factbox on Australia’s Top 15 most marketable athletes according to the Sweeney Report

1. Ricky Ponting (71)
=2. Grant Hackett (68)
=2. Adam Gilchrist (68)
4. Glenn McGrath (67)
5. Pat Rafter (66)
6. Ian Thorpe (65)
7. Stephanie Rice (63)
=8. Cathy Freeman (60)
=8. Steve Waugh (60)
10. Casey Stoner (59)
11. Brett Lee (57)
12. Leisel Jones (56)
=13. Libby Trickett (55)
=13. Layne Beachley (55)
15. Harry Kewell (53)

Big movers from 2008 to 2009
Stephanie Rice – unranked to 7th
Leisel Jones – =20th to 12th
Libby Trickett – =20th to 13th
Billy Slater – 44th to 30th

Big losers
Andrew Symonds – =10th to 35th
Lleyton Hewitt – 14th to =32nd
Sonny Bill Williams – =34th to =78th
Barry Hall – =38th to 63rd