Athlete Endorsements

Tennis star Naomi Osaka has officially out-earned all other female sports pros, including fellow tennis greats Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. (Credit: Peter Menzel, Flickr) History is still being made by women. Tennis star Naomi Osaka became the highest-paid female athlete ever after pulling in $37.4 million last year between prize money and endorsement deals. According to Forbes, the sum -- an official new record for the amount of money made by a woman athlete in a single year -- is $1.4 million more than fellow on-court superstar Serena Williams pulled in during the same time period. (Though, it should be noted that Williams had held the distinction herself for the previous 4 years.) Osaka, who was born in Japan but raised in the U.S., has won numerous titles including the 2019 Australia Open. And the 22-year-old athlete’s endorsements come from major corporations like athletic giant Nike, car maker Nissan Motor and sports equipment seller Yonex. She has 15 deals in all. Of course, men are still out-earning women either way -- despite her historic income, Osaka is still only the 29th highest-paid athlete.

Athlete Endorsements

A New High Score: Naomi Osaka Now the Highest-Paid Female Athlete in History

The Story Exchange

Athlete Endorsements

A New High Score: Naomi Osaka Now the Highest-Paid Female Athlete in History

The Story Exchange

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