Tennis leads the way when it comes to earnings generated among female athletes this year, according to a new report.
Sports business publication Sportico has compiled a list of the 15 highest-paid female athletes this year with the majority of them being tennis players. The list is based on what the athletes have earned through both prize money and endorsements before tax. The earnings have been calculated via ‘conversations with those familiar with marketing agreements and also includes royalties, memorabilia, appearance fees, media and businesses tied to their celebrity.’
Coco Gauff has been named as the highest earner as a result of her triumph at the US Open in September which reportedly led to her receiving a substantial bonus from her sponsors Head and New Balance. She is said to have earned $22.7M with $16M of that coming from endorsements. During this year Gauff has signed new sponsorship deals with UPS, Bose and Baker Tilley. She already has deals with the likes of Italian pasta maker Barilla and others.
Iga Swiatek, who sealed her return to world No.1 during the WTA Finals in Mexico, is second on the list with a total of $21.9M in earnings. This time last year Sportico ranked her as the seventh highest-earner in women’s sport.
Also among the highest earners are two players who have recently been absent from the Tour but for different reasons. Emma Raducanu hasn’t played since April due to injury but has still managed to rake in $16m in endorsements which is $4M more than Swiatek. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka has received $15m in Endorsements and is the only tennis player in the top 15 to have no salary earnings. Osaka has been away from the sport following the birth of her first child and is expected to return to action next month.
Also in the top 10 are Aryna Sabalenka ($12.2m), Elena Rybakina ($9.5M) and Jessica Pegula ($9M). Further down the list, Canada’s Leylah Fernandez is in joint 13th place with skier Mikaeka Shiffric ($6.1M) and Ons Jabeur is 15th ($5.7M).
Sportico was launched in 2020 and is part of Penske Media Corporation (PMC), an American digital media, publishing, and information services company. PMG also owns notable publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard and Variety.
The 15th highest-paid female athlete’s of 2023
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Salary/ Winnings | Endorsements | Total | 2022 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coco Gauff | TENNIS | $6.7M | $16M | $22.7M | 8 |
| 2 | Iga Świątek | TENNIS | $9.9M | $12M | $21.9M | 7 |
| 3 | Eileen Gu | FREESTYLE SKIING | $27K | $20M | $20M | 4 |
| 4 | Emma Raducanu | TENNIS | $238K | $16M | $16.2M | 3 |
| 5 | Naomi Osaka | TENNIS | $0 | $15M | $15M | 1 |
| 6 | Aryna Sabalenka | TENNIS | $8.2M | $4M | $12.2M | N/A |
| 7 | Elena Rybakina | TENNIS | $5.5M | $4M | $9.5M | N/A |
| 8 | Jessica Pegula | TENNIS | $6M | $3M | $9M | N/A |
| 9 | Simone Biles | GYMNASTICS | $0 | $8.5M | $8.5M | 5 |
| 10 | Nelly Korda | GOLF | $1.4M | $6.5M | $7.9M | 13 |
| 11 | Alex Morgan | FOOTBALL | $850K | $6M | $6.9M | 11 |
| 12 | Megan Rapinoe | FOOTBALL | $750K | $6M | $6.8M | 11 |
| 13 | Leylah Fernandez | TENNIS | $1.1M | $5M | $6.1M | 10 |
| 13 | Mikaela Shiffrin | SKIING | $1.1M | $5M | $6.1M | N/A |
| 15 | Ons Jabeur | TENNIS | $3.2M | $2.5M | $5.7M | N/A |
