Football has long been America’s most popular sport. While baseball is the American pastime and holds a special place in the hearts of sports fans, it has yet to surpass football in terms of either broad appeal or revenues. Nor is the National Football League the only beneficiary of football’s enduring popularity. Indeed, in parts of the country with unsuccessful NFL teams (or no NFL teams), college football is just as popular – and just as lucrative. Likewise, an accomplished head coach at a prestigious college program can easily command several million dollars per year in salary, and the football teams themselves figure prominently in the entire cost structure of their universities. Today, Business Pundit examines the 12 most valuable NCAA football teams.

Texas Longhorns

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Not only are the Texas Longhorns the most valuable college football team, they are also the most valuable NCAA team in any college sport. According to CBS Sports, the Longhorns are valued at approximately $119 million, and turned a $59 million profit last year. Perhaps appropriately, the University of Texas made its head coach – Mack Brown – the highest paid football coach of any college program, committing $5.1 million for next season on December 10, 2009 according to USA Today.. In doing so, Brown became the first NCAA football coach to cross the $5 million per year barrier. However, the salary is being paid from athletics department revenue, which “receives no government or institutional support and has transferred more than $6.6 million to the university since the 2005-06 fiscal year.” University of Texas is also “among 25 of 120 major-college programs that made more on athletics than they spent in 2007-08.”

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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The team the Longhorns surpassed as the most valuable college football team is this year’s number two – Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish. Valued at $108 million and boasting profits of $38 million (according to Forbes) the Fighting Irish have long been one of the most widely followed teams in NCAA football. Seven Heisman Trophy winners have played for Notre Dame, as well as 95 consensus All-Americans. Furthermore, Notre Dame Stadium (where the team plays its home games) seats more people than some NFL stadiums do – 80,795 at last count. The team has also won eight national championships, and owes much of its current value to consistently being a contender year in and year out.

Pennsylvania State Nittany Lions

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Another highly valued NCAA football team with a rich history is Penn State’s Nittany Lions, said by ESPN to be the most valuable team in the NCAA’s Big Ten conference. ESPN reports that Penn State’s “team value is $99 million, and the program makes a profit of $50 million.” Its ranking as the third most valuable NCAA football team is a ten spot leap for Penn State from the last time rankings were compiled. Coached by the legendary Joe Paterno (who earns roughly $1.5 million per season), Penn State figures to continue its run as one of the most prosperous college football teams in the country for quite some time.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

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At first glance, it probably seems strange to see a Nebraska team rank so high on this list. A state which sells t-shirts that proudly exclaim “Nebraska – We Got Nothin” doesn’t exactly smack of athletic excellence or acclaim. However, the Cornhuskers are actually the fourth most valuable college football team in America, turning a $49 million profit on a $93 million total value. Loyalty is also alive and well at the school. According to Forbes, “donations required by Nebraska for season ticket holders to keep their seats totaled $15 million last season.” Head coach Bo Pelini is the 25th highest paid coach in college football, earning just a shade over $1.8 million per season.

Alabama Crimson Tide

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The popularity of the Alabama Crimson Tide is hard to exaggerate. According to Forbes, the team’s “waiting list to obtain season tickets for the Crimson Tide is currently 15,210 names long.” Furthermore, simply being next up on the list is no guarantee of getting tickets. The only thing coming up on the list entitles you to do is “make a donation to the athletic department ranging from $5,000 to $500,000″ depending on the location of seats you wish to buy tickets for. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is the fourth highest paid coach in college football, raking in about $3.9 million per season.

Florida Gators

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The Florida Gators are the sixth most valuable college football team as judged by Forbes’ rankings. Valued at $88 million, the Gators turned a $41 million profit season while fans of the team “shelled out a total of $145,000″ for the right to inscribe their names on the brick pathway leading up to the team’s 88,548 seat Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. If you’re wondering what could possible inspire such passionate devotion in a team’s fans, it is nothing more than an undisputed legacy of winning. The Gators have won three national championships, eight Southeastern Conference Championships, produced 138 All-Americans, thirty-eight first round NFL draft picks and three Heisman Trophy winners, en route to being one of the winningest college teams since 1990. Head coach Urban Meyer is the third highest paid coach in the NCAA at $4 million per season.

Louisiana State Tigers

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Valued at $68 million, Louisiana State’s Tigers are a tremendous economic asset to the surrounding community. Besides turning a $39 million overall yearly profit, it is estimated that $8.2 million in direct spending is generated by visitors to East Baton Rouge Parish by each game the Tigers play at the 92,400 seat Tiger Stadium. With three national titles and thirteen SEC conference titles, the Tigers have an enduring track record of success, which explains the massive influx of visitors to each home game. It’s fair to call the Tigers an economic juggernaut, and it looks to remain that way for the forseeable future.

Ohio State Buckeyes

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The second most valuable Big Ten football team in the country (and eighth overall) is the Ohio State Buckeyes, valued at $85 million by Forbes. It’s a two spot rise for Ohio State, who occupied the 10th spot last time rankings were compiled. It’s also worth noting that Ohio State is the only school to have its teams in the top 10 of Forbes’ football and basketball rankings (its basketball team is the 10th most valuable in the NCAA.) Interestingly, however, the immense financial and athletic success of the school has not translated to an astronomical coach’s salary. Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel is paid at a level one might expect given the school’s sparking track record, with Cleveland.com reporting that the coach signed a $3MM per year extension in 2008.

Georgia Bulldogs

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Valued at $84 million (with profits of $45 million) the Georgia Bulldogs can lay claim to the third-highest merchandise sales of any college last year, after only Texas and Florida. Head coach Mark Richt is the 10th highest paid coach in college football at an annual salary of $2.9 million. The school routinely sells out home games at its 92,746 seat Sanford Stadium, has won 2 national titles, 12 SEC conference titles, and has produced two Heisman Trophy winners, as well as 28 consensus All-Americans.

Oklahoma Sooners

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One of the greatest measures of a team’s popularity is how much of the athletic department’s donations are generated by the team itself. It would be tough to imagine beating the Oklahoma Sooners in that department, especially after 92% of the $19 million raised in donations last year was generated by the team. Such a tremendous amount of fan loyalty goes a long way toward explaining the $83 million value attached to the Sooners, as well as the $40 million in profit last year. Head coach Bob Stoops is the second-highest paid coach in the Big 12 conference and the fifth highest overall, earning a yearly salary of $3.8 million to spearhead the Sooners on-field strategy.

University of Michigan Wolverines

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The third most valuable Big 10 team (according to ESPN) is the University of Michigan Wolverines. It was somewhat of a down year for Michigan however, which slipped to number 11 from number 4 last year. Nevertheless, the Wolverines are valued at $81 million, turned a $34 million profit, and is preparing to embark upon a “400,00 square-foot expansion project that will add 83 suites and 3,200 club seats to Michigan Stadium” that is expected to be completed in time for the start of next year’s season. Head coach Rich Rodriguez earns $2.9 million per year, placing him in a three-way tie for the 9th highest paid NCAA football coach in the country.

South Carolina Gamecocks

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Last but not least, the South Carolina Gamecocks round out our list of the 12 most valuable NCAA college football teams. Valued at $80 million, the Gamecocks are coached by the accomplished Steve Spurrier, who coached the Florida Gators to six SEC championships and himself won the Heisman Trophy in 1966. Spurrier, who earns $1.8 million per season, has the luxury of presiding over a Gamecocks team that will almost certainly rise in value next yearas a result of $6.8 million raised by “a points system that ties donations to football seating assignments”, Forbes reports. For a team that already turns in a yearly profit of $37 million, the future looks bright for South Carolina, which was also the 12th most valuable college football team in last year’s rankings.

Super Bowl XLIV is right around the corner. It takes guts, speed, and coordination for a team to make it to the Super Bowl. Paying your star players a king’s ransom doesn’t hurt, either.

Indeed, most top NFL players rack up a ridiculous annual income. Who are this season’s players with the mostest? We took salary and endorsement data* to determine who the richest players are for this season. (Note: This list contains more Colts than Saints. You determine the meaning of that.)

25. Glenn Dorsey

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Salary: $13.07 million
Total: $13.07 million

Contract: $51 million

The Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle, like many players in his position, is a big guy. But Dorsey takes it a step further. The LSU college football legend, drafted by the Chiefs in 2008, had to have his legs straightened by braces as a kid, Forrest Gump-style. By the 7th grade, he weighed 200 pounds, ran like a pro, and kicked other kids around. By the time college came around, Dorsey steamrolled. He played most of one season with a fractured left leg, but still racked up 62 tackles and three sacks. When his teammate played a prank on him, he almost threw the guy out the window.

Glenn Dorsey don’t mess around. Neither does his salary.

24. Maurice Jones-Drew

Image: dabruins07/Flickr

Salary: $13.1 million
Total: $13.1 million

Contract: $31 million

Size isn’t everything. Just ask the NFL’s “littlest big man,” Maurice Jones-Drew. At 5’7”, the Jacksonville Jaguars running back doesn’t exactly tower over anyone else on the field. But he out-skills many of them. Last year, he ran 177 yards on eight carries with two touchdown runs. One was 80 yards, one was 79. The move helped make the “NFL’s most versatile player,” as well as a 2010 Pro Bowl player.

Think he’s the next Barry Sanders? Ask his salary.

23. James Harrison

Salary: $13.36 million
Total: $13.36 million

Contract: $51.75 million

Steelers linebacker James “Silverback” Harrison doesn’t like endorsements. When asked about them, he said he’d just have to “sit there and talk to people.” Maybe it’s just as well for the two-time Superbowl winner, who has avoided team meetings with both President Obama and G.W. Bush, has gone to anger management class, and broken down a door to slap his girlfriend. But hey, it’s not social skills that lands you a $52 million contract. It’s football skills.

22. Roy E. Williams

Salary: $13.66 million
Total: $13.66 million

Contract: $54 million

When the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver joined the team in 2008, he expressed concern for the Cowboys’ offense. Maybe the coaches listened, because a year later, the Cowboys also had a winning 2009 season. The team was a strong contender strong for Super Bowl XLIV (2010) until Brett Favre and the Vikings defense shut them down.

Maybe it’s not only an offense problem, after all. At least the team didn’t offend Williams with a low salary.

21. Chris Gamble

Image: kevin813/Flickr

Salary: $14 million
Total: $14 million

Contract: $53 million

In 2008, the Carolina Panthers cornerback signed a contract extension worth $53 million. Maybe that’s what emboldened him to talk smack about Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss. After Moss’s subpar performance in a Patriots vs. Panthers game, Gamble said that the Panthers “knew (Moss) was going to shut it down. That’s what we wanted to do him. That’s what we did. … He’d just give up a lot … Slow down, he’s not going deep, not trying to run a route. You can tell, his body language.”

Golden Boy Tom Brady, Moss’s close friend, responded with “everyone takes kind of liberty to say what they want to say in a situation like yesterday. I’ve seen plenty of plays made on Chris Gamble, too, over the course of the season.” Back atcha, Chris.

20. Jake Grove

Image: Chris J. Nelson

Salary: $14.2 million
Total: $14.2 million

Contract: $29 million

Grove was drafted to the Raiders in 2004, then joined the Miami Dolphins in 2009. Despite enticing pay, the center was out for much of the season due to an ankle injury. Would his on-field presence have helped the Dolphins, who came into the season as AFC East champs, but now can’t participate in another Miami Super Bowl? Unlikely.

19. Vernon Carey

Image: Chris J. Nelson

Salary: $15 million
Total: $15 million

Contract: $42 million

The Dolphins offensive tackle has been shoring up the line since 2004. He helped Dolphins win the 2008 AFC East title, the first after a number of bad seasons. Since then, well…maybe the Dolphins should cough up for another Dan Marino.

18. Jay Cutler

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Salary: $15.04 million
Total: $15.04 million

Contract: $30 million

Jay Cutler started off with a bang in 2006. Right after being drafted by the Broncos, the QB became a starter and threw two touchdowns in four of his first-ever NFL games. He was set to be the next Peyton Manning—until Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan was fired at the end of 2008.

Cutler was upset. A couple of months later, when Cutler got over his emotions, he found out that new coach Josh McDaniels wanted to trade him. Like a thwarted lover, Cutler felt betrayed again, so deeply that he pushed the Broncs to trade him out. In March 2009, the Chicago Bears inherited the disgruntled Cutler.

Cutler, meanwhile, has sealed his reputation as a prima donna. But hey, the pay isn’t bad, right?

17. Ben Roethlisberger

Image: Brunkfordbraun/Flickr

Salary: $12.75 million
Endorsements: $2.5 million
Total: $15.25 million

Contract: $102 million

“Big Ben” Roethlisberger made history by winning the Super Bowl in his second season in the NFL, when he was only 23. That made him the youngest quarterback ever to win an NFL Super Bowl. He’s stayed a loyal Steeler since, with a playing style akin to legendary Broncos QB John Elway. If you just can’t get enough of Big Ben, you can take him home, in the form of Big Ben’s BBQ sauce, Big Ben’s XL Beef Jerky, or by wolfing down a “roethlisburger” sandwich at the burger joints in Pittsburgh and Ohio.

16. Carson Palmer

Salary: $16.17 million
Total: $16.17 million

Contract: $118.75 million

Before hot dogs, before The Replacements, there were the Cincinnati Bungles. A year after QB Carson Palmer joined them, he helped dig them out what looked to be a permanent rut. In 2005, the Bengals had their first winning season in 15 years. After that…let’s not talk about it. 2005 was good, real good, ok?

15. Greg Jennings

Image: Silwenae/Flickr

Salary: $16.25 million
Total: $16.25 million

Contract: $28.5 million

The Packers wide receiver made for a deadly combination with former Packers QB Brett Favre, helping the team win a number of matches. Thanks to Jennings, Favre also broke a number of QB records. Favre later broke the bond by retiring. Then retiring from retiring. Now, Jennings sees the old man at Vikings matches, and doesn’t help him out at all.

14. Jason Brown

Salary: $15 million
Endorsements: $150,000
Total: $16.2 million

Contract: $37.5 million

After four years with the Baltimore Ravens, center Jason Brown joined the St. Louis Rams in 2009. The Rams paid a premium for Brown, making him one of the NFL’s best-paid centers. It didn’t do the Rams much good last season. Maybe that’s why the team is selling for a bargain basement price of $700 million.

13. Dwight Freeney

Salary: $16.22 million
Endorsements: $250,000
Total: $16.45 million

Contract: $72 million

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Freeney boasts the biggest contract ever awarded to a defensive player. He was with the team when they won Super Bowl XLI in 2007.

So far, there has only been one dent in Freeney’s income. After losing to the Chargers in early ’09, Freeney said that “those were the worst !&%# calls I’ve seen in a long time … It’s not like they made one !&%# bad call — it’s three calls, in overtime … They need to start investigating some other !&%#.” After that, the NFL fined Freeney’s #%&! for tune of $20,000.

12. Julius Peppers

Salary: $16.68 million
Endorsements: $150,000
Total: $16.8 million

Contract: $16.68 million

The gifted Carolina Panthers defensive end is one of the only NFL players, besides Donovan McNabb, to play in the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four and the Super Bowl. 6’6”, 285 pounds, and Peppers can sprint with the best of them, as well as overpower sturdy linemen. Needless to say, this four-time Pro Bowler and stellar athlete earns the public’s respect.

11. Antonio Smith

Salary: $15.5 million
Endorsements: $150,000
Total: $17 million

Contract: $35 million

After helping bring the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, defensive end Antonio Smith went free agent. The Houston Texans nabbed him for $35 million, building on their increasingly strong franchise. Now all he has to do is watch his elbows: The NFL fined him $22,500 for hitting and elbowing other players in a single week this year.

*Note: We derived most salary and endorsement data from these two sources. Because those sources have different time frames for their numbers, this list is best seen as an informed estimate for the 2009 season. We didn’t include other sources of income, taxes, agent fees, or any other deductions.

Continue to the top 10 Richest NFL Players ->

Gatorade, a division of Pepsico, has confirmed that it’s dropping its Tiger Woods-branded drink, known as Gatorade Tiger, Tigerade, and Tiger Focus. The company made the decision before the wreck that set off the Woods scandal. ABC News has more:

The decision to drop the drink, called Tiger Focus, was first reported by trade publication Beverage Digest in an issue dated Nov. 25, two days before the incident at Woods’ home in Florida. The publication’s editor, John Sicher, said he learned of the decision the week of Nov. 9.

Beverage Digest estimates it represents less than 5 percent of Gatorade’s volume. Sales volume of Tiger Focus was down 34 percent this year through October.

More than a week ago, this wouldn’t have been a blow to the Tiger brand. Now, however, Gatorade’s withdrawal might compel other companies to revise their endorsements. Tiger committed some transgressions, but this decision comes at a bad time.

How much can you make a year managing a sports team? A lot–if you’re in the right sport, and in the right country. If you can guide the Brazilian soccer team to yet another World Cup victory, or bring an NBA title to every team you touch, you will be rewarded. Handsomely.

Here are the 25 highest-paid sports coaches on the globe. See what it takes to make those millions:

25. John Calipari
Salary: $4.2 million

Image: Sean Davis/Flickr

After sixteen years of NCAA coaching, this hot University of Massachusetts college basketball coach got his big shot with the NBA. Alas, it was for the New Jersey Nets. When the University of Memphis came calling four years later, Calipari moved there. Compared to Jersey, the blue grass smells just fine, thank you very much.

24. Charlie Weiss
Salary: $4.2 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Weiss, a 15-year NFL veteran, went “back to school” to coach Notre Dame’s team. Weiss’ mother reportedly told this good Catholic boy that if he could ever work for Notre Dame, he should do so. For free. Luckily, the school and alumni were nice enough to give him a little bit of money for food, bills and such.

23. Joe Torre
Salary: $4.3 million

Image: Laphoto/Flickr

This 9-time MLB All-Star player won the World Series in his first year as the Yankees’ head coach. The stellar manager topped it off with three more World Series wins before coming out to bask in the Los Angeles sunshine.

22. Pete Carroll
Salary: $4.4 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Thinking about going back to college? It worked for Pete Carroll. After enjoying 15 years of moderate success as an NFL coach, he went back to USC. He turned USC’s program into a powerhouse again, snagging two BCS bowl National Championships within 4 years. He also gets to live in sunny California.

21. Nick Saban
Salary: $4.72 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

What are you going to be doing in 2017? Nick Saban knows what he will be doing: Coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide. A long-term deal with a legendary college football program has a way of throwing the spotlight on you. But, jeez, Nick. Watch the tan. It’s inching toward George Hamilton territory.

20. Jim Mora
Salary: $5 million

Image: Keith Allison/Flickr

The Atlanta Falcons were a fun team to coach. That Michael Vick has some future, eh? But Atlanta just doesn’t have enough rain and coffee. What to do?

Jim Mora solved that problem by taking an assistant coach job with the Seattle Seahawks, owned by that other Microsoft guy. He waited for Mike Holmgren (previously the highest paid NFL coach) to retire.

Bam. 5 million. Not bad.

19. Bill Bellichick
Salary: $5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Sure, he has three Super Bowl Rings, four conference titles and six division crowns. But Bill Bellichick is known more for his cut-off hoodies. You could call him a football genius, impresario, sloppy Bill, or cheater. Just know that the Mastermind doesn’t really care what he looks like. Or what you think. That’s Tom Brady’s job.

18. Tom Coughlin
Salary: $5.25 million

Image: Tom O’Neill/Flickr

Coughlin kind of looks like your neighbor who screams at you to “get off his lawn!” Known for his old-school style and colorful language, the New York Giants coach secured his dream QB in Eli Manning. He then guided the team to a Super Bowl championship after 12 seasons in the NFL.

Well done, sir. And nice black socks!

17. Glenn ‘Doc’ Rivers
Salary: $5.5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

With the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers has made some people forget just how bad of coach he was in Orlando (he won under 50% in more than 8 years). During the past two seasons, he had the Celtics and their faithful believing in the playoffs once again.

16. Lovie Smith
Salary: $5.5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

He took the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006, twenty years after Ditka did it with the Fridge. Beset by injuries and QB changes, the soul of Chicago football still reflects Lovie’s smooth style and tireless work ethic.

15. Jeff Fisher
Salary: $5.5 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

One of the most beloved members of the NFL football family, Jeff Fisher was known as a hard working, loyal player. Those traits solidified his Tennessee Titans coach position for the past 15 years–the longest tenure of any current head coach. It turns out that they pay well for loyalty and stability, too.

14. Larry Brown
Salary: $6 million

Image: Ballerblogger/Flickr

Take heed, D’Antoni. New York put so much pressure on the Knicks owners to fire Larry Brown that they paid him $18 million to kindly take his ball and leave. His bags of cash and legend remained firmly intact when he moved down to Charlotte, N.C to coach the Bobcats. Besides, $6 million goes a lot further down South.

13. Don Nelson
Salary: $6 million

Image: BettorsEdge

Earlier in his career, Nelson was a five-time NBA champion. He’s the second-winningest coach in the history of the NBA (1,309). He was named NBA Coach of the Year three times.

Despite all those accolades, he has the worst job in the NBA. It has been said that the team he coaches, the Golden State Warriors, couldn’t beat a Catholic girls basketball team.

Ouch. Maybe that is why Don Nelson lives in Hawaii during the off-season.

12. Mike D’Antoni
Salary: $6 million

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Mike D’Antoni turned the Phoenix Suns around. Then, it all fell apart. After that, the storied Chicago Bulls came calling with a bit more money. But who can say no to coaching in the world’s media capital? After struggling for an identity, the New York Knickerbockers landed their elusive coach. Now the Big Apple has a new punching bag.

11. Arsene Wenger
Salary: $7 million

Image: Shields_t/Flickr

The French manager’s patented approach of crafting young players into superstars keeps Arsenal on top. Wenger turned down a pile of money from Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, endearing him to fans for years to come.

Continue to the top 10 Highest Paid Sports Coaches in the World ->

The Yankees won the world series last yesterday, thanks in part to Hideki Matsui’s stellar performance. They also top the MLB payroll for 2009. Here’s part of the list, as compiled by the AP:

1. New York Yankees $201,449,289
2. New York Mets $135,773,988
3. Chicago Cubs $135,050,000
4. Boston Red Sox $122,696,000
5. Detroit Tigers $115,085,145
6. Los Angeles Angels $113,709,000
7. Philadelphia Phillies $113,004,048
8. Houston Astros $102,996,415
9. Los Angeles Dodgers $100,458,101
10. Seattle Mariners $98,904,167

See the full list here.

Clearly, the Yankees used more than money to win last night. And if payroll is that crucial, what happened with the Mets, the MLB’s second-highest paying team this year?

Fedor Emelianenko has been called the baddest man on the planet. We think a case can be made that he is the most fit man to have ever lived in the history of our species. Undefeated for nearly a decade, this MMA (mixed martial arts) hero’s explosive ring style leaves opponents and spectators stunned.

On November 7, Fedor fights American Brett Rogers in Chicago. Rogers has remained undefeated for two years—but will his aggressive fight stand up to Fedor’s thunderous punches and uncanny ability to power out of submission attempts?

Fedor is one of this decade’s most skilled athletes. When you investigate him more closely, it becomes clear that he has set himself up for success. Discipline, a simple routine, the right support network, and calm before the fight are some of the secret ingredients to Fedor’s unparalleled success. Business can learn from his style. Here are ten business lessons that Fedor can impart:

1. Stay calm

Fedor stays calm and stoic before a match, to the point of looking bored. Unlike some of his opponents, he doesn’t get himself pumped up or trash talk before a fight. Instead, he has been known to play cards with his friends. When Fedor enters the ring, he does so with respect. He saves all his energy for the fight.

During Fedor’s fights, that focus pays off. Nobody has proven a match for his explosive speed and power in almost a decade. Moreover, Fedor’s calm demeanor adds to his mystique. It disarms many opponents, giving him an instant advantage. They just can’t read him. It makes them nervous–which is something Fedor benefits from.

2. Focus on the fundamentals

Fedor appears nonchalant and stoic–until he throws a punch. He wastes no energy on appearances. He doesn’t express emotion during fights. By not distributing his energy elsewhere, he is able to focus completely on a fight. And by focusing completely, he is able to use more energy in the fight. And win.

3. Be prepared & disciplined

Fedor knows that a fighter is as good as the work he puts in. He keeps a regular, intense training schedule. He runs five miles in the morning, then wrestles, practices boxing, grappling and sparring, and strengthens by doing pull-ups, crunches, and dips.

He doesn’t take days off. He does everything from start to finish—and devotes himself completely. That takes an incredible amount of discipline and endurance.

This preparation and discipline pays off in the ring, where his focus doesn’t waver.

4. Avoid complacency

When Fedor started fighting, he said that he always felt he could do great. His coach said that he always had raw talent, and learned new things quickly. Fedor was promising from the very beginning.

As he ascended through the MMA ranks, Fedor easily could have grown complacent, relishing his position on the top. But he didn’t. He doesn’t see himself as the best, but as someone who is always growing. He is always getting better. And that attitude keeps him on top.

5. Keep it simple

Fedor adheres to a steady, normal routine. It’s the same basic routine, week in and week out. And it works.

Moreover, he trains virtually in secrecy. His seclusion keeps him from being distracted by fans, fads, and other potential weakeners of the will. Moreover, his seclusion adds to his mystique. He always keeps everyone guessing—in part by staying guarded about his own routine.

His consistency also pays off in the ring, where he remains undefeated.

6. Stay steady in a storm

Fedor stays relaxed and flexible, even in the ring. During his PRIDE fight with Kevin Randleman in 2004, Randleman suplexed Fedor, potentially injuring him. Fedor, however, was so relaxed and flexible that he recovered quickly—and ended up winning the match. He generally looks and acts calm, even in the heat of a fight.

7. Respect everyone

When Fedor fights, he explodes on his opponents. Any opponent has good reason to be scared of him before entering the ring. Yet Fedor is always respectful of his opponents. When he enters a fight, he wishes respect. He doesn’t glare or talk or move around. He’s inert and polite—until he starts hitting.

8. Have the right team

Fedor surrounds himself people he knows well and respects. He trains with longtime grappling, boxing, and Muay Thai coaches. His doctor Oleg Neustroev is also his masseur and psychologist. He is close to his training partners. He also remains close to his friends, who have known him for a long time, and family. He and his priest are also close. His good relationship with his team gives him a tight-knit, steady support network.

9. Be a leader

Fedor’s stellar fighting has inspired millions of fans. But he doesn’t let fame fluff up his ego. Instead, Fedor uses popularity to help others succeed. He enjoys trying to be useful to people. He takes on the role of a mentor instead of a superstar. He teaches classes. Before the Beijing Olympics, he carried the torch for Russia in St. Petersburg. He is exemplary rather than haughty, which proves his strength of character.

10. Live in the present

Fedor knows life can’t be scripted. That’s one reason he stays so relaxed in the ring. He remains present during the fight, allowing him to adapt his moves as the fight unfolds. Staying aware also helps him study his opponent in real-time and react efficiently to situations within the fight. His discipline helps him prepare, his focus concentrates his energy, and his present-moment awareness leaves him prepared for any move.

Some of this year’s top contenders also happen to be some of the most financially endowed players, too. Roger Federer, though he tops the list, is hardly the only multimillionaire serving during this week’s Grand Slam. The four players trailing behind him have all done incredibly well of prize money, sponsorships, and other ventures. See who ranks richest in the 2009 US Open*:

5. Andy Roddick

Career prize money: $16,818,084
Sponsors: Rolex, Lacoste, SAP, Babolat, Lagardere

Roddick won the US Open in 2003, but since then, rival Roger Federer has continually taken the title. In fact, Federer has beat Roddick for several Grand Slam titles over the years, leaving Roddick steadily behind on the court (worldwide, he is ranked 5th). The 27-year-old Omaha native, who boasts the fastest serve in tennis (155 mph), faces Federer again in this year’s US Open. Good thing he has sponsors to keep him afloat if he doesn’t win–again.

4. Venus Williams

Career prize money: $23,870,938
Sponsors: Electronic Arts, American Express, Kraft, Powerade, SEGA
Also owns EleVen (a women’s clothing line) and, with Serena, part-owns the Miami Dolphins.

The #3-ranked women’s tennis player has won 18 Grand Slam titles. A number of her games have been against sister and sometimes-rival Serena, who currently outranks Venus at #2. Yet Venus, who is also a design entrepreneur and successful campaigner for equal pay in tennis, continues to show her prowess at raking in funds through areas outside of tennis. She is not only a successful tennis player, but an advocate and entrepreneur, too.

3. Rafael Nadal

Career prize money: $25,182,970
Sponsors: Nike, Kia, Babolat, Mapfre, Illes Balears, Time Force, Banesto, L’Oreal, Lanvin

#3-ranked Rafael Nadal has never won a US Open. This six-time Grand Slam winner no doubt has his sights on the prize. The real question is whether his knees, which are recovering from tendinitis, will let him perform the way he needs to in order to beat rivals like Roger Federer. That said, the 23-year-old Spaniard has raked up significant earnings during his career. Hopefully they will be enough to keep him competitive on the court.

2. Serena Williams

Career prize money: $25,999,373
Sponsors: Nike, Wilson, HP, Kraft, Electronic Arts, Home Shopping Network, Gatorade
Also co-founded MISSION skincare, and has her own line of Nike designer clothes

#2-ranked Serena Williams has won more career prize money and Grand Slam titles than any other female player. Her success on the court has allotted her an unprecedented amount of prize money (for a female player). Like her sister Venus, she designs fashion, which she sells through Nike. She also has a good shot at winning this year’s US Open.

1. Roger Federer

Career prize money: $49,977,919
Sponsors: Gillette, Jura, Mercedes-Benz, Nationale Suisse, NetJets, Nike, Rolex, SWISS (airlines), Wilson

Federer has won every US Open since 2004. What’s to stop him this year? A Rafael Nadal comeback, maybe, but certainly not a lack of funds. The #1-ranked men’s player is not only the richest tennis player in history, but arguably the best player, too.

*Based mainly on career prize money, as listed on the US Open official site.

Cities around the nation are celebrating 2009 Bike to Work day this Friday, May 15. The League of American Bicyclists has more on Bike-to-Work Day, which is part of Bike-to-Work Week, which, you guessed it, occurs during Bike Month.

The purpose of Bike-to-Work Day is to increase knowledge and incentive for bicycle commuting. According to the League of American Bicyclists, more than half of the US population lives within five miles of their workplace. After participating in Bike-to-Work day, many former drivers become full-time bike commuters.

Why participate in Bike-to-Work Day? As a commuter, this should be a no-brainer. You get free breakfast. You get your bike tuned up for free. More often than not, you receive free schwag. You get a workout. Other possible perks include:

–Free public transportation for cyclists
–Festivals and rallies
–Free water or coffee
–Bike convoys
–Concerts
–Free T-shirts
–The chance to bond with your community

Employers benefit from Bike-to-Work Day through marketing and networking opportunities as well as the chance to groom a fitter, happier, more productive workforce.

If you choose to make biking to work a permanent activity, it will pay off handsomely. Benefits include (from the LAB):

-Save money on parking fees, traffic tickets, gas, car maintenance and insurance, and transit fares.
-Avoid traffic jams.
-Relieve stress.
-Burn calories: A 10-mile bike commute burns 400 calories for a 180-pound man.
-Sculpt your butt.
-Reduce your carbon footprint.
-Save gas.
-When you ride your bike on short trips instead of driving, you save 3.6 pounds of pollutants per mile
-Park almost anywhere.
-For companies: Healthy, fit employees are more productive and register fewer sick days.
-More than 66% of the US population is overweight. It only takes 30 minutes of moderate physical activity three days a week to improve fitness levels. Biking to work is a no-brainer way of achieving this minimum.
-The average commuter travels at 10 mph. This is not terribly hard to beat on your bike.
-Bikes are quicker on trips of 3-5 miles.

Regardless of your age, a bike may also help you count yourself among the ranks of the young and hip. Former FDIC chairman and CNBC commentator Bill Seidman, who passed away this week, biked to work almost every day, according to MSNBC–because he loved being around young people. It’s a subtle added bonus.

Happy Bike-to-Work Day! May your bicycling become a lifelong habit.

The New York Times recently published a provocative article on the swindle…err, business of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and college bowls:

Statistically, the system is such an abomination that at least one expert…advocated that no self-respecting statistician should have anything to do with it…he wrote that the B.C.S. computer rankings serve as little more than a confirmation of the results of the two opinion polls the system also uses to create its rankings. The people who run the computer rankings, he noted…are not allowed to use the score or site of a game in their calculations.

“The six big conferences don’t want to share money with the smaller conferences,” (expert) Stern said. “That to me is the story that people don’t tell.”

After the derivatives crisis, Enron, Madoff, and other recent Great American money-mongering schemes, the BCS remains intact. According to this chart, the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, FedEx Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl presented by Citi, Allstate Sugar Bowl, and the BCS National Championship Game (with rotating sponsors) have a payout of $17 million each, for a total of $85 million. Compare that to the 30+ non-BCS bowl games that take place posteason. Their payouts total roughly $43 million.

More:

in the best-case scenario schools from the non-BCS conferences would receive approximately 34% of the least of the schools in the BCS conferences, including Notre Dame. These numbers are not the actual amounts paid to each school, but look at the amounts paid to each school on average.

The BCS Media Guide claims that over the first 10 years of the BCS arrangement, a total of $100 million has been given to the 51 non-BCS Football Bowl Subdivision schools and the 122 Football Championship Subdivision schools. This gives an average of $10M/year, or $58,803 per school year. By comparison, EACH BCS conference (between eight and twelve schools) is guaranteed $18 million this year, an average of $1.66M per school for the 65 participating institutions. These disparities are clearly defined within the Media Guide.

Why not a playoff, like every other sport in the NCAA? The BCS isn’t a requirement of the sport at all; rather, it is a corrupt financial system that rewards those in the club, propogates mediocrity, and often fails to decisively decide the best team in the nation.

Jordan Kobritz at The Guiding Light of the Sports Business has this to say:

A playoff is held in every other football division and every other NCAA sport. But the BCS isn’t affiliated with the NCAA. The six conferences that comprise the BCS broke away from the governing body in the aftermath of a 1981 lawsuit brought by the Universities of Oklahoma and Georgia.

So why allow yourself to be ripped off by the existing bowls? The answer has nothing to do with tradition or the sanctity of the bowls. The current system suits the BCS conferences just fine. They get to decide who gets how much money and they don’t have to deal with the NCAA. In this case, power is more important than money.

Let me get this straight. The polling system that decides who attends BCS bowls is notoriously faulty. The payouts for attendees of those conferences–and, even more, the BCS itself–are ridiculous in comparison to non-BCS games. BCS championships attract more sponsors, viewers, and promotions than any of the others, providing incentive for those profiting most off the system to maintain it.

This very well may be one of the most blatant lacks of oversight remaining in the American economy. If Obama pushes around his weight here, it will be welcomed.

(Suppose she’s listening to total immersion English?)

In a controversial decision, the LPGA has decided to require players to speak English. What? Oh the horror! My only question is, what took so long?

The golf course has always been more about striking deals than the ball. Until recently, it was barley considered a sport. But Tiger changed all that. Now, in addition to fat white guys talking politics and rotary club, you’ve got a young, hip contingent hitting the links – even girls! Even people who don’t speak English! 

While youth and diversity bring all kinds of new opportunities to ‘monetize’ the game of golf, they also pose challenges to the old guard. The new kids on the course would do well to understand the economics behind their ability to earn a living from chasing a little ball around the lawn. There are sponsorships, clothing, and big tourism dollars. And as far as the LPGA is concerned, all these are bankrolled in English. Hence the new requirement.

…the LPGA, struggling to keep sponsors in certain cities, needed to make all of its players more fan friendly and, at the very least, capable of communicating with well-heeled pro-am partners. It’s a language fluency that most agree is the price of doing business on the golf course in the women’s game.

Conversation is part of the game of golf – any game. When the LPGA rolls in to town, it’s a big deal. Local media is all over it and corporations pay decent money to play with the ladies in Pro-Am tournaments. Is it too much to ask that the players engage reporters and sponsors in English?

The Golf Channel’s Brian Hewitt has seen it firsthand:

Four cigar-chomping, middle-aged American men saying hello to a 22-year-old South Korean woman who bows at the introduction on the first tee. There are smiles but very few words exchanged over the next five and a half hours after which the men scratch their heads and wonder why their foursome paid $10,000 for little or no conversation.

What do you think? Reasonable requirement or infringement of civil liberties?