LeBron dethrones Jordan as most popular US athlete

Lebron James shoots a free throw while playing with high school students during the Lebron James Skills Academy Wednesday, July 9, 2014, in Las Vegas. James announced Friday that he will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LeBron James attends the LeBron James Skills Academy Thursday, July 10, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

American League short stop Derek Jeter, of the New York Yankees, waits to hit during batting practice for the MLB All-Star baseball game, Monday, July 14, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Serena Williams returns to Sabine Lisicki, of Germany, during a women's singles match at Wimbledon in London on July 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

FILE - In this June 3, 1993, file photo, Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan, right, and New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing chase a loose ball during the second half of game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals in New York. Ewing sees the parallels between then and now. Ewing says when he played, it was mostly one superstar per team. He believes the league is heading back that way now and many say a more-balanced playing field across the NBA could be better for the league. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)

LeBron James has overtaken Michael Jordan as the United States’ most popular athlete, according to a Harris poll.

Almost from the moment James exploded onto the NBA scene as the number one overall pick in the 2003 draft a debate has raged over who was the better of the two basketball superstars.

Jordan had held the top honor from 1993-2005 and again in 2013 before being supplanted this year by James, who was ranked number two in 2013.

It is likely that James is even more popular after the four-time NBA most valuable player decided last week to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers following a successful four year run with the Miami Heat that brought the team two NBA titles.

The poll was conducted between June 11 and 16 before James, a 10-time All-Star, made his decision.

New York Yankee Derek Jeter, who is retiring at the end of the Major League Baseball season, moves up three spots to third.

Rounding out the top five are Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning at four with the Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. tied for fifth.

Tiger Woods, who had been number one for five straight years from 2006, dropped from third last year to eighth.

There was no change at the top among America’s most favorite female athletes with tennis player Serena Williams for a fifth straight year while NASCAR driver Danica Patrick remained number two.

Tennis players dominated the top with Venus Williams remaining third followed by Maria Sharapova and soccer player Mia Hamm at five.