Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins topped the public voting in Time Magazine’s poll of the best sports executives in the world. Perkins is the only college sports administrator to make the list of 35 individuals, which includes team owners, team managers, league commissioners and other executives from around the world.

“It is a great honor just to be included on this list,” Perkins said. “It is tremendously flattering to actually win it. But this vote wasn’t just a reflection of me. Chancellor (Robert) Hemenway, our faculty, our coaches and our student-athletes all play an important role in reaching our ultimate goal – unparalleled excellence.”

Perkins garnered an average score of 80 among the 3,022 votes he received. Sir Alex Furguson, manager of the Manchester United soccer team, was second with 74. John Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, finished third, just ahead of Danny Ainge, GM of the Boston Celtics.