CHICAGO - DESPITE Tiger Woods' problems surrounding his adultery scandal and lost corporate sponsors, the world's No. 1 golfer remains the top athlete brand as ranked by Forbes.

The business magazine estimated in its second annual 'Fab 40' list that Woods still represents the top sports brand by athlete, with an estimated value of US$82 million (S$117 million).

It said Woods' remaining sponsor deals with Nike Inc , Electronic Arts Inc and Procter & Gamble Co's Gillette brand will allow him to remain the world's highest paid athlete this year.

Woods, who is taking an indefinite break from professional golf, has been in hiding since admitting in December that he had cheated on his wife.

His total was larger than that of the next five athletes combined, according to Forbes. Soccer star David Beckham (US$20 million), tennis player Roger Federer (US$16 million), NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (US$14 million) and National Basketball Association stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant (US$13 million and US$12 million, respectively) rounded out the top six.

While Nike and others have stood by Woods, Accenture Plc and AT&T Inc dropped him as their pitch man after he became engulfed in allegations of multiple extramarital affairs following a minor car accident outside his Florida home on Nov 27. -- REUTERS