San Francisco 49ers Young Athletic Talent Takes Top Honors As Brand Affinity Technologies (BAT) 'Rising Sports Stars'

IRVINE, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The impressive performances of San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick and Aldon Smith have not only wowed the crowds at Candlestick Park, but have landed them in the top five of Brand Affinity Technologies (BAT) 'Rising Sports Stars' List for December. Calculated monthly, the 'Rising Sports Stars' List measures the U.S. athletes with the most significant leap in popularity during the previous 30 days, which could generate huge fan and advertising followings.

With the talents of Kaepernick and Smith, San Francisco is in scoring distance of another championship prize, this time in football. Along with the 49ers' players, Jacksonville Jaguars' Cecil Shorts and Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant also made it onto BAT's top five, as they are both on pace to reach their first 1000-yard receiving seasons, respectively. Rounding out the Top Five is Greg Monroe, of the Detroit Pistons, who has everybody talking with his outstanding early season play on both sides of the floor.

"This month's list of rising stars reflects the depth of the young talent pool playing in San Francisco and why the 49ers are in prime position to capture the city by the bay's 2^nd major title this year," said Ryan Steelberg, CEO of Brand Affinity Technologies. "As the season closes up, this young veteran 2012 team has the ability to increase the brand value of those individual athletes exceeding expectations on the field."