Faces of the game

The Lightning plays a Penguins team Sunday missing star Sidney Crosby. The only one missing Crosby more than the Pens is the NHL itself. When you think about it, North American sports these days suffer from a lack of faces — those that sell the sport in commercials and TV shows, those that are loved by all ages, those that have crossover appeal into pop culture. Where are the faces of the leagues? Take a look at the problem:

NBA

This isn't like the old days when Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird pitched everything from shoes to sports drinks to hamburgers. In fact, you're more likely to see Jordan on a commercial now than an active NBA player. Analyst Charles Barkley might be the biggest NBA personality (he hosted Saturday Night Live last month), and he hasn't played since 2000. LeBron James should be that guy, but fans have soured on him since he left the Cavs for the Heat. And, people have never really embraced Kobe Bryant, especially since he was accused (although never prosecuted) for sexual assault in 2003. If I ran the NBA, I'd have Magic center Dwight Howard on everything from Live! With Kelly to Jimmy Fallon's show to Sesame Street. He's quick, funny and makes a great spokesman.

NHL

The NHL is suffering a serious identity crisis with Sidney Crosby being out for most of the past year with head/neck issues. He hopes to return this season but doesn't have a timetable. After Crosby, there's Alex Ovechkin, but he's an enigma. Ovechkin's game has regressed, and he declined an invitation to the All-Star Game because his feelings were hurt over a suspension. His refusal was disrespectful and clearly indicative that he has no desire to help sell the league. Hockey's best player is probably the Pens' Evgeni Malkin, but he's Russian, and there's still a bit of a language barrier. The NHL desperately needs Crosby back.

MLB

If you had to pick a face, you'd probably say Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. He has charisma, good looks and is a class act on and off the field but is rather private. He is no longer the game's best player and is closing in on the end of his career. So who is baseball's best player? Probably Albert Pujols, but he is just aloof enough that fans really don't feel close to him. Maybe someday, Evan Longoria can be the face of the game, but can he do that from Tampa Bay? Gone are the days when stars such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and, way back, Babe Ruth were household names, even in houses where no one followed baseball.

NFL

The No. 1 pitchman didn't even play last season. Peyton Manning, star of like a billion commercials, played in a small market (Indianapolis) and still became one of the most recognizable athletes. Tom Brady should be loved, but fair or not, he rubs many the wrong way, perhaps because he is too good, too successful and is married to a supermodel. He's too envied to be loved by the masses. Tim Tebow has many followers, but a lot of haters, too. The guy who could take over the world is Peyton's little brother, Eli. Playing in New York and now the owner of two Super Bowl MVP awards, the humble and likable Eli Manning is our pick to become one of the most recognizable personalities in sports, but only if he wants.

Other sports

Golf's face continues to be Tiger Woods, who recently landed on a list of most disliked athletes because of his off-the-course scandal. Tennis' Williams sisters aren't loved because they've never acted like they care enough to love us back. NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a fan favorite but more because of his dad than his success. And once upon a time, boxing provided many of America's most popular athletes, but can anyone even name (and correctly spell) three boxers?

tom jones' two cents