Fever rookie Caitlin Clark quickly rose to the top ranks of Sportico’s annual highest-paid women’s sports athletes report on Wednesday, securing the 10th spot with an estimated $11 million in earnings per year.
Tennis players dominated the report, with tournaments like the US Open ensuring equal payouts for both men’s and women’s events. Nine out of the 15 entries were tennis players, with Coco Gauff claiming the top spot for the second consecutive year, earning $9.4 million in prizes and $21 million in endorsements.
Skier Eileen Gu ranked second, with the highest estimated endorsement earnings on the list at $22 million. Gymnast Simone Biles came in at No. 9 with an estimated total income of $11.1 million.
Golfers Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko also made it onto the list, reflecting the expanded purses of the LPGA Tour.
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Report highlights endorsements in women’s sports
The report emphasizes the ongoing significance of endorsements in women’s sports, particularly in team sports where athletes often rely on additional income to supplement their comparatively modest professional salaries.
2024’s total estimated earnings of $221 million represent a 27% increase from the previous year, with 11 athletes earning at least $10 million, compared to six in 2023.
Sportico’s 15 highest-paid women’s sports athletes
1. Coco Gauff: $30.4 million
Prize money: $9.4 million | Endorsements: $21 million
2. Eileen Gu: $22.1 million
Prize money: $62,000 | Endorsements: $22 million
3. Iga Świątek: $21.4 million
Prize money: $8.4 million | Endorsements: $13 million
4. Zheng Qinwen: $20.6 million
Prize money: $5.6 million | Endorsements: $15 million
5. Aryna Sabalenka: $17.7 million
Prize money: $9.7 million | Endorsements: $8 million
6. Naomi Osaka: $15.9 million
Prize money: $870,000 | Endorsements: $15 million
7. Emma Raducanu: $14.7 million
Prize money: $671,000 | Endorsements: $14 million
8. Nelly Korda: $14.4 million
Prize money: $4.4 million | Endorsements: $10 million
9. Simone Biles: $11.1 million
Prize money: $135,000 | Endorsements: $11 million
10. Caitlin Clark: $11.1 million
Salary/bonus: $100,000 | Endorsements: $11 million
11. Jasmine Paolini: $10 million
Prize money: $6.5 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million
12. Jeeno Thitikul: $9.1 million
Prize money: $7.1 million | Endorsements: $2 million
13. Jessica Pegula: $8.2 million
Prize money: $4.2 million | Endorsements: $4 million
14. Elena Rybakina: $7.9 million
Prize money: $3.9 million | Endorsements: $4 million
15. Lydia Ko: $6.7 million
Prize money: $3.2 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million
The post Sportico Report Taps Highest-Paid Women’s Sports Athletes appeared first on Just Women’s Sports.
