Overall, "there is some deceleration but it's not catastrophic, " said Rosealea Yao, an analyst at Dragonomics Research.

WSJ: China Construction Starts Slowed in 2011

His loyal fans hope Yao will get an extension of his already long and successful career.

CNN: Yao Ming foot injury could 'end career'

Especially since Asia has matured as an NBA market in recent years after Yao began drawing fans in a decade ago.

FORBES: Will Fans Go Linsane For Jeremy In Houston? Don't Bet On It.

Yao, the Houston Rockets basketball player who is currently recovering from an injury, dropped all the way to No. 4 in the newest ranking.

FORBES

"There is an amazing dedication within the CMCs to reach out to local people in local languages, " says Yao Ydo, interim chief of the Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Dakar.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES