Maria Sharapova: The World’s Highest-Paid Female Athlete
Tennis star Maria Sharapova hasn’t won a grand slam title since 2008, but she’s still the highest paid woman in professional sports. She made $25 million last year.
Her professional, scandal-free image is allowing her to rake in the big bucks.
The Wimbledon finalist, ranked No. 5 in the world, made twice as much money as Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, the No. 1 tennis player in the world.
Sharapova topped the Forbes annual rankings for the seventh consecutive year. She made most of her money through endorsements, which include Nike, Head, Evian, Clear Shampoo, Sony Ericsson, Tiffany and Tag Heuer.
Forbes reports that Sharapova recently signed an eight-year deal with Nike that could net her as much as $70 million.
Sales of her Nike tennis apparel were up 26 percent last year. And her Cole Haan ballet flats were the company’s top seller. She receives royalties on both her Nike and Cole Haan lines.
Here’s the list of the top earning female athletes:
- Maria Sharapova $25 million (Russia, tennis)
- Caroline Wozniacki $12.5 million (Denmark, tennis)
- Danica Patrick $12 million (U.S., motor racing)
- Venus Williams $11.5 million (U.S., tennis)
- Kim Clijsters $11 million (Belgium, tennis)
- Serena Williams $10.5 million (U.S., tennis)
- Kim Yuna $10 million (South Korea, figure skating)
- Li Na $8 million (China, tennis)
- Ana Ivanovic $6 million (Serbia, tennis)
- Paula Creamer $5.5 million (U.S., golf)
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