Kobe Bryant joins Tiger Woods as most popular athlete in US

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant proved that winning was the best way to redeem an image when he was named the joint most popular athlete in American sport.

Bryant, a five-times NBA championship winner, leapt from fourth last year to equal first with golfer Tiger Woods in the poll conducted by Harris Interactive.    

The poll of 2227 adults was taken during the week of June 14-21, a period book-ended by the Lakers' NBA title victory over the Boston Celtics and Woods' tie for fourth place at the US Open at Pebble Beach.  

Woods, who has been embroiled in a scandal over extra-marital affairs since late last year, had topped the list since 2006.      

He is yet to win an event since returning from a four-month self-imposed exile and finished tied for 23rd at last week''s British Open.  

Bryant had been the subject of public scrutiny over an alleged sexual assault charge in late 2003, which was dropped in 2004 but the stigma saw him fall out of favour in the poll. 

He rose to fourth as the Lakers reached the 2008 NBA finals, stayed there with their victory last year, before being elevated this year after they sealed their 16th NBA title with a dramatic Game Seven victory over the Celtics.                                           

He was also named as the NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010.       

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, a member of the top 10 since 2004, finished third in the poll, with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, a regular since 1996, fourth.

World tennis number one Serena Williams topped the women's rankings with her sister Venus second, and Indycar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, third.