Sportsbook.com Posts SI's Sportsman of the Year Odds

NEW YORK, New York -- Sportsbook.com, the world's largest online sportsbook and casino, has posted odds on who will be declared the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year for 2006. Considered one
Roger Federer is in the running for Sportsman of the Year. 
Will Tiger win the British Open again this year?  of the most prestigious awards in sport, the title seems destined to go to one of two athletes - Tiger Woods or Roger Federer, two men that put together among the most dominant seasons in their respective careers.

Woods, a two-time recipient of the award (1996 and 2000), is the favorite at 5-2 after winning the British Open and PGA Championships this season and putting together a streak of five straight tournament wins. Woods won 8 of the 15 tournaments he entered in 2006, many after the tragic passing of his father earlier in the season. Federer meanwhile continues to dominate the ATP tour and is regarded by many as potentially the greatest tennis player of all-time. He has compiled an incredible 85-5 record with 11 titles in 16 tournaments entered. He has won 7 of the last 8 events he's played and captured three of tennis' four Grand Slams, including his fourth consecutive Wimbledon and third straight US Open. He is a 5-1 bet.

Other challengers include NBA Finals MVP Dwayne Wade who led the Miami Heat to their first title. Wade and the Heat are both listed at 7-1. Other championship teams, with their catalysts, are also in the running. Ben Roethlisberger and the Super Bowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers both have 10-1 odds, with the World Series champions St. Louis Cardinals at 12-1 and star slugger Albert Pujols at 8-1. Soccer made waves this summer with the World Cup in Germany taking centre stage, and odds makers have listed world champion Italy as a 40-1 long shot with its star defender Fabio Cannavaro at 20-1. The list also features prominent athletes from an array of sports - including hockey's Sydney Crosby, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., cyclist Lance Armstrong and female athletes Michelle Wie and Danica Patrick.

Last year's winner of the Sports Illustrated award was Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots. At the time, Brady was given 10-1 odds to win, behind Federer, Armstrong, Woods and Matt Leinart, proving once again that the favorites are not always the best bet.