Tagliabue No. 1, President Bush No. 9 on most powerful list

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was chosen Wednesday by The Sporting News as the most powerful person in sports, heading a list that also includes President Bush.

It's the first time Tagliabue has headed the annual list. He has been on the list every year since 1990, three times chosen at No. 2.

Bush was picked at No. 9, the first time a president has appeared on the list. The magazine said Bush, a former part-owner of the Texas Rangers, was chosen for his leadership after the terrorist attacks.

Others in the top 10 were New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at No. 2; News Corporation's Rupert Murdoch, No. 3; IMG's Mark McCormack, No. 4; NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr., No. 5; NBA commissioner David Stern, No. 6; August Busch IV and Anthony Ponturo of Anheuser Busch, No. 7; Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports, No. 8; and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, No. 10.