Friday, June 15, 2007

WITH OPRAH AND TIGER AT THE HELM, BLACK FOLKS CRASH FORBES LIST OF POWER PLAYERS

Most stories on the web are focusing on Oprah topping Forbes' List of Power Players.

While the media mogul is back on top of Forbes' Annual
"Celebrity 100 Power List," which ranks the rich and famous based on earnings and buzz, that's not the story family.

Sure Winfrey was the top money-maker with an estimated income of $260 million over the past 12 months. Golf tycoon Tiger Woods, who pulled in $100 million, ranks second.

Oprah's Harpo Productions is a partner on celebrity chef Rachael Ray's and Dr Phil, who are both on the list. Harpo is launching its first prime-time series, "Oprah's Big Give," a reality contest involving philanthropy, and Winfrey also produced the Broadway show "The Color Purple."

Of the 100 named by Forbes, however, African-Americans represent a whopping 14. And get this, the combined total dollar amount is close to three-quarters of a billion. No, we didn't stutter. THAT'S BILLION!

Rap mogul Jay-Z placed ninth with earnings of $83 million, leading the newly added category "Hip-Hop Impresarios." Businessmen-rappers 50 Cent and Sean "Diddy" Combs placed 32nd and 43rd, respectively.

As for athletes sitting pretty with Tiger, the NBA is definitely hooking brothers up. Laker baby Kobe Bryant earned $33 million (23), followed by his nemesis Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat with $32 million (25). Michael Jordan pulled in $31 million (35), with heir in training Lebron James of the defeated Cleveland Cavaliers getting paid with $27 million (48).

Baseball's Derek Jeter (50) is sitting on a mound as well, hitting up $28 million of those pretty little green ones.

Oprah was not the only Black woman 'making it rain'. Tennis great Serena Williams (69) netted $14 million, just under model-turned-talk show host Tyra, who banked $18 million and came in at number 61.

New to the "Celebrity 100": the cast of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (12), with $33 million.

And of course, what list would be complete without Big Willie! With wife Jada, the Fresh Prince earned $31 million, placing him at 57 on the list that every celeb is trying to get and stay on.

Bravo Black people. This is the kind of news that we can definitely co-sign on!

Check out the complete list here