Now it seems that for the very first time, the country's most famous sports star may not be from the ball park after all.

CNN: A different ball game for superstar jockey Joel Rosario

Anyone who has had access to a newspaper knows this isn't the first time some member of the company's stable of galactic star sports figures has been a target of serious allegations.

WSJ: Nike: The Big Business of Fairy Tales

That is still less than a top American sports star such as basketball's Michael Jordan can command, but perhaps not for long.

ECONOMIST: Passion, pride and profit

Also in 2003, he was awarded SportsTV Production Magazine's All-Star Award as recognition for his leadership and excellence in sports television production and technology.

ENGADGET: ESPN EVP and CTO Chuck Pagano opens a new facility, sees 4K sports on the horizon

Drop The Dead Donkey star Neil Pearson features in Trevor's World of Sport, about a decent sports agent to struggles to meet the demands of his egotistical clients.

BBC: Tamzin Outhwaite in Final Demand

That's why so many young people today tell pollsters their ambition in life is to be a celebrity, a sports star or a glamorous model.

BBC: The secrets of changing the world