Track and field stars for another year running arenβt on the list of the Top 10 highest-paid female athletes in the world 2025. Should this be a cause for worry?
For another year running, track and field stars are not on the list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world.
The list, which has been dominated by tennis stars for over two decades, has been topped by one of the trio of Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Naomi Osaka.
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Serena Williams is considered one of the greatest tennis players in history
However, since last year, a new set of athletes have topped the list, having witnessed the retirement of Williams and Sharapova, while Osaka took the year off from tennis with the birth of her daughter Shai and paused many of her lucrative endorsement deals.
Professional tennis players overwhelm the list of the highest-paid sportswomen in the world, occupying six positions in the top 10, while athletics stars struggle to even be on the top 30-50 list.
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Meet the Top 10 most famous track and field stars of 2024.
They continue to command the top of the pay charts, while a skiier, a golfer, a basketballer, and a gymnast complete the top 10.
The inability of track and field stars to make the list has been a major concern for athletes and fans through the years, on the poor allocation the sport gets, even during major meets like the World Athletics Championships and Diamond League.Β
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Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are two of the greatest track and field stars in history
The athletes are paid meager amounts after winning medals, and the only way the stars get enough money to live by is through shoe contracts and other endorsement deals, which the amounts signed are also insubstantial compared to other sports stars.
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Multiple World and Olympic medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has signed for the Richard Mille family, joining a growing list of track and field athletes.
For example, the gold-medal-prize-winning money at a senior world athletics championship is US $60,000 in contrast to US $3,000,000 for the winner at the 2023 US Open tournament.Β
While track and field athletes work hard all year round to improve their best and get to the elite level like their counterparts, the business side of the sport has been poor for decades, despite it being one of the worldβs most popular sports.
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Have you ever wondered how much athletes pocketed in Diamond League earnings? This article gives the top 20 earners, spearheaded by Shericka Jackson.
Athletics enthusiasts and shakers in the sport have discussed several means by which it can be more marketable, but every year there arenβt many changes seen or that evolves.
With recent reports of the worldβs fastest woman ShaβCarri Richardson allegedly signing a US $20 million with Nike for five years, if true, will be a huge game changer in the future endorsements of female athletes in track and field.
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According to reports, ShaβCarri Richardson is said to have signed a multi-million dollar endorsement deal with Nike, which will last until the year 2028.
Top 10 highest-paid female athletes in 2025
According to sportico.com,Β Coco GauffΒ nudged out Iga ΕwiΔ tek and Eileen Gu with an estimated $30.4 million from prize money and endorsements in 2024. The 20-year-old captured her first Grand Slam at theΒ US Open, triggering lucrative bonuses from partners New Balance and Head to retain the top spot for another year.
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Coco Gauff poses with her 2023 U.S Open title| Photo Credit: Instagram(@cocogauff)
The top 15 earned a combined $221 million in 2024, up 27% versus last year, while 11 athletes made at least $10 million, up from six in 2023.
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Since bursting onto the scene by winning Roland Garros in 2020, Iga Swiatek has been marked for greatness. Three further Grand Slams later and over a year spent at world no.1, the Pole is fulfilling her potential and leading the way for this generation of womenβs tennis professionals
This sum includes prize money, salaries, and bonuses during 2024 for active athletes. The endorsement earnings estimates were compiled through conversations with those familiar with marketing agreements and also include royalties, memorabilia, appearance fees, media, and businesses tied to their celebrity. The figures are all before taxes and any agent fees.
Here are the highest-paid female athletes
- Coco Gauff (Tennis) β $30.4 million (9.4m prize money, 21m endorsements)
- Eileen Gu (Skiing) β $22 million (22m endorsements)
- Iga Swiatek (Tennis) β $21.4 million (8.4m prize money, 13m endorsements)
- Zheng Qinwen (Tennis) β $20.6 million (5.6m prize money, 15m endorsements)
- Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis) β $17.7 million (9.7m prize money, 8m endorsements)Β
- Naomi Osaka (Tennis) β $15 million (15m endorsements)Β
- Emma Raducanu (Tennis) β $14 million (14m endorsements)
- Nelly Korda (Golf) β $14.4 million (4.4m prize money, 10m endorsements)
- Simone Biles (Gymnastics) β $11 million (11m endorsements)
- Caitlin Clark (Basketball) β $11 million (11m endorsements)
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Picture Credit β Sportico.com
