There are many great athletes around the world. They compete in various sports and in various disciplines. Most athletes have been playing sports since their childhood. They also compete against other great athletes in their sports. Among the greatest athletes, the top athletes often emerge and become the best in their sport. They also happen to enjoy fame and are often recognized on the street. If their sport is one of the major sports they stand to make alot of money.

Outside of their career, they often have other interests. Interests such as charities, businesses, movies, etc... One of the biggest interests is their personal and romantic life. Sometimes it can get ridiculous as the public and/or media seem to become fixated on one's personal life, more-so than how they fare in their profession. When two famous athletes start dating each other, it's the talk of the town. The athletes start dating either fellow athletes in their sport or athletes from another sport. Some of the athletes eventually marry or end up in a long term relationship with another athlete. The well known and famous athletes start dating models, actors, actresses and or other famous athletes. This can also lead to marriage or long term relationships.

A powerful couple is created when either one or both of the spouses is famous and has done well in their sport. It is also created when both or either spouse has also been successful in their earnings. There have been many couples with this criteria but there are 10  couples that stand out. Not all of the powerful couples in sports are athlete to athlete relationships. Listed below are the top 10 well known and famous powerful couples in the sports world today. While there are many famous couples involving athletes with models, actors, etc... However this list will only feature couples where both individuals are current or former professional athletes, or involved in sports in some way.

10 10. Candace Parker and Shelden Williams

Shelden Williams is a basketball player. He played for several teams in his NBA career. He has been married to Candace Parker since 2008. Candace Parker is also a basketball player. She is currently playing for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. She is considered to be one of the top female basketball players in the world. She is a 2-time WNBA MVP and a 2-time Olympic gold medalist. She is famous for being the first woman to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game and the second woman to dunk in a WNBA game. With Candace Parker's continued success on the court and Shelden Williams's ventures in the NBA they come in as the 10th most powerful couple in the sports world.

9 9. Bret Hedican and Kristi Yamaguchi

Bret Hedican is a former ice hockey player. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and the Anaheim Ducks. He is a Stanley Cup champion and a 2-time U.S. Olympian. He has been married to Kristi Yamaguchi since 2000. Kristi Yamaguchi is a former ice skater. She is an Olympic gold medalist and a 2-time World Champion. She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Kristi Yamaguchi is also one of the well known figure skaters around the world. On the ice, these two have tasted success and come in as the ninth most powerful couple in the sports world.

8 8. Misty May-Treanor and Matt Treanor

Matt Treanor is a former baseball player. He has played for the Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He recently retired from baseball. Matt Treanor married Misty May -Treanor in 2004. Misty May - Treanor is a beach volleyball player. She is a 3-time Olympic gold medalist and the most accomplished beach volleyball player with 112 individual championship wins in both international and domestic competition. She has been one of the few successful women's beach volleyball players.  With Misty-May Treanor's incredible success and Matt Treanor's professional athletic career they come in as the eighth most powerful couple in the sports world.

7 7. Laila Ali and Curtis Conway

Curtis Conway is a former football player. He played for the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers. He married Laila Ali in 2007. Laila Ali is a former boxer. She is well known for being the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. She is a Super Middleweight Champion and the Light Heavyweight Champion. She went undefeated with a 24-0 record during her boxing career. She has also made a variety of TV appearances over the years. With Laila Ali's success and Curtis Conway's football career they come in as the seventh most powerful couple in the sports world.

6 6. Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner

Bart Conner is a former gymnast. He competed for the United States in the Olympics. He is a 2-time gold medalist and a world champion in gymnastics. He has been inducted in several Halls of Fame. Bart Conner has been married to Nadia Comaneci since 1996. Nadia Comaneci is also a former gymnast. She is famous for her gold medal winning performance at the 1976 Olympics where she was awarded a perfect 10 on the uneven bars at the age of 14. She is a 5-time Olympic gold medalist and a 2-time world champion. They have had great success as gymnasts and they come in as the sixth most powerful couple in the sports world.

5 5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Danica Patrick

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is a NASCAR racing driver who is a rising star. He was the 2011 and 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion. He has eight top-10s in the Sprint Cup Series and 62 top-10s in the Xfinity Series in his NASCAR racing career. He is currently in a relationship with Danica Patrick, ongoing since 2013. Danica Patrick is a fellow NASCAR racing driver who is one of the stars among the circuit. Her win in the 2008 Grand Indy Japan was the only victory by a female driver in an IndyCar Series race. Her third place win in the 2009 Indy 500 was the highest finish for a woman. With Ricky Stenhouse Jr. continuing to get better and Danica Patrick's success they come in as the fifth most powerful couple in the sports world.

4 4. Nomar Garciaparra and Mia Hamm

Nomar Garciaparra is a former baseball player and a current ESPN analyst. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics during his career. He was a 6-time All Star and the American League Batting Champion in 1999 and 2000.  Nomar Garciaparra bewedded Mia Hamm in 2003. Mia Hamm is one of the most well known soccer players in America. She is a 2-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. National Team. She was also part of the FIFA World Cup winning teams in 1991 and 1999 and has had much success on her club teams as well.  With each other's success in their sports they come in as the fourth most powerful couple in the sports world.

3 3. Phil Jackson and Jeannie Buss

Phil Jackson is a former player and a former coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers who both won championships with Jackson as the head coach. He is now the general manager of the New York Knicks.  Phil Jackson is currently engaged to Jeanie Buss and they have been together since 1999. Jeannie Buss is the current Los Angeles Lakers team president and leads the team's business operations.  Both Jackson and Buss have been influential in the basketball world and come in as third most powerful couple in sports. Who knows, maybe they'll outright run the NBA together one day.

2 2. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf

Andre Agassi is a legendary former tennis player. He is considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He is an 8-time Grand Slam champion and an Olympic gold medalist. He was also very successful in his tennis career. Andre Agassi got hitched to Steffi Graf in 2001. Steffi Graf is also a former tennis player. She has won 22 Grand Slam titles and tied the record for the most Major wins for any female or male tennis player. She is also an Olympic gold medalist.  With both having tremendous success in their careers as tennis players and come in as second most powerful couple in the sports world.

1 1. Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn

Tiger Woods is the most successful pro golfer and is one of the most recognizable names in the sports world. He has the second all time victories in the PGA Tour and the 3rd most all time victories in the European tour.  Tiger Woods is currently in a relationship with Lindsey Vonn. The couple has been dating since 2013. Lindsey Vonn is one of the most successful alpine skiers. She has competed in three Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010) and has won a gold medal and a bronze medal in alpine skiing. She has also won the world championship twice.  Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn have had great success in their respective sports and together they make the most powerful couple in the sports world. Tiger's worldwide fame (or infamy) pushes this couple to the top of our list.