Sportspersons in 2014 Forbes list of World's 100 most powerful celebrities

Sixteen athletes find themselves in the latest list of worlds 100 most powerful celebrities released byForbes on their official website.The list was topped by American singer and actressBeyonc Knowles who dethronedtalk show host Oprah Winfrey, declaring herself as the most powerful celebrity around.But, how do the athletes rank in among all of these A-listers?The rankings are based on yearly earnings, social media presence and impacteach of thesecelebrities has had on their field ofwork.In this slideshow, we bring you the 16 most powerful athletes in the world:

#16 Li Na

Rank: 85

Country: China

Sport: Tennis

Earning: $27 million

Currently ranked World no. 2, Li Na continues to be one of the most marketable female athletes in the world. She had appeared on the cover of Times Magazine last year 

Li continues to play her best tennis at an age, 32, when most players are already out to pasture. She rose to a career high world ranking of No. 2 in February after winning the Australian Open the previous month for her second career Grand Slam title. The win triggered a massive bonus from sponsor Nike as well as her other endorsement partners. Li became a marketing darling in 2011 when she won the French Open to become the first Asian-born tennis player ever to win a Grand Slam singles event. Li shills for Babolat, Nike, Rolex, Samsung and Mercedes, as well as multiple Chinese companies.