• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Highest-Paid Female Athletes Earned Big in ’21

Naomi-Osaka-Highest-Paid
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The world’s highest-paid female athletes have made a name for themselves in their respective sports, but most of the women make more money from endorsements than they do competing.

The top 10 accounted for a combined $167 million in pretax earnings according to Forbes, a 23% increase compared to 2020. Tennis star Naomi Osaka topped the list at $57.3 million, with just $2.3 million of that coming from prize money.

The rest of the top five saw similar discrepancies. 

  • 2. Serena Williams, tennis: $45.9M ($900K on the field)
  • 3. Venus Williams, tennis: $11.3M ($300K)
  • 4. Simone Biles, gymnastics: $10.1M ($100K)
  • 5. Garbiñe Muguruza, tennis: $8.8M ($2.8M)

Golfer Jin Young Ko, badminton player P.V. Sindhu, tennis player Ashleigh Barty, golfer Nelly Korda, and WNBA star Candace Parker round out the list. Barty was the only one to make more from prize money than endorsements — $3.9 million on the field and $3 million off.

New Trends

In 2019, all top-10 spots were taken by tennis. Now, it accounts for just five spots.

This year, Biles and Candace Parker became the first gymnast and basketball player to rank in the top 10 in more than a decade.

Tell us what you think: With the increasing popularity of women’s sports, do you believe their salaries will eventually catch up to men’s? Reply to this newsletter with your thoughts.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ja Morant Calls Out Stephen A. Smith After Memphis Claims

Smith made comments about the city on ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday.
Quincy Taylor

Several Americans Banned in British Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal

Five former Surrey Scorchers players were hit with lengthy gambling suspensions.

U.S. Open TV Ratings Down 8% After Rain Delay, Underdog Winner

NBC and Peacock averaged 5.4 million viewers for Sunday’s final round.

Rolapp Weighs In on PGA Tour–LIV Golf Talks, NFL After Goodell

Brian Rolapp is becoming CEO as commissioner Jay Monahan steps down.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.
Noah Lyles

Tyreek Hill–Noah Lyles Race Is Off for ‘Personal Reasons’

Lyles and Hill agreed to a race in February with few concrete details.
Devers
June 16, 2025

Devers Stunner Only Part of Wild Week for Fenway Sports Group

Red Sox fans immediately started making connections to soccer.
Sylvia Fowles
June 17, 2025

Sylvia Fowles’s Life After Hall of Fame Career

Fowles is considering a return to basketball.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
June 15, 2025

150–1 Longshot Spaun Wins Record U.S. Open Prize After Carnage at Oakmont

J.J. Spaun had only won once on the PGA Tour.
June 15, 2025

USMNT–Pulisic Drama Hits Gold Cup as FIFA’s Club World Cup Looms

The Gold Cup is being played at the same time as FIFA’s Club World Cup.
June 14, 2025

Caitlin Clark Return Draws Sellout 15 Hours After Pacers Finals Game

Fever TV ratings dropped significantly while Clark was out.
Caitlin Clark
June 13, 2025

Caitlin Clark Likely to Return in Boost for ESPN, WNBA

Clark has missed the past five games due to a quad injury.