The 2023 rankings for the highest-paid female athletes show an estimated $226 million in earnings, marking a 133% drop from the previous year’s $258 million. However, this decline can be largely attributed to Serena Williams’ retirement and Naomi Osaka’s break from competition. Despite these setbacks, there are several reasons to view the 2023 ranking with optimism.
The top 20 athletes have increased their median earnings to $8.5 million, up from $7.3 million in the previous year. Additionally, 16 out of the 20 athletes on the list are under 30 years old, indicating significant earning potential in the future. Furthermore, eight athletes have surpassed $10 million in earnings, matching the record total from the previous year and doubling the number from 2021.
Although the 2023 rankings for the highest-paid female athletes experienced a decline, there are optimistic signs for the future. Rising median earnings, a young and talented pool of athletes, and increasing endorsement opportunities suggest that the prospects for female athletes in the coming years are brighter than ever.
HIGHEST-PAID FEMALE ATHLETES 2023 :
1.Iga Swiatek ($23.9 million)
Iga Swiatek concluded her remarkable 2023 with a title at the WTA Finals and the yearend number one singles ranking. At just 22 years old, she has spent a total of 82 weeks at the top spot, earning her the second consecutive WTA Player of the Year award. In terms of career prize money, Swiatek ranks 14th on the tour’s list with nearly $25 million. Off the court, Swiatek has expanded her endorsement portfolio with partnerships with Visa, Oshi sports drinks, and information technology company Infosys, in addition to her existing partnerships. Swiatek’s success places her among a select group of women who have topped the Forbes female athlete earnings ranking since its introduction in 2008, joining the ranks of Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova.
2. Eileen Gu ($22.1 million)
Eileen Gu, born in San Francisco but representing China in competition, is a rare Olympic sport athlete whose business does not plummet between games. As a freestyle skier and model, Gu has secured long-term sponsorships with brands such as Anta in China and Louis Vuitton and Victoria’s Secret in the western market. Despite a knee injury, Gu made an impressive comeback, winning halfpipe events in China and Colorado in her first World Cup action in 11 months.
3. Coco Gauff ($21.7 million)
Coco Gauff’s breakthrough at the US Open in September has the potential to elevate her status as a pitch-woman. Already making significant strides on the marketing side, Gauff signed deals with Baker Tilly, Bose, and UPS this year. Additionally, her well-known passion for Marvel superheroes led to an appearance in an advertisement for the 2023 film “The Marvels” and gracing the cover of a limited edition of an invincible Iron Man comic book. On the court, Gauff achieved a career-high ranking of number three in singles and won four WTA tournaments in the same year.
4. Emma Raducanu ($15.2 million)
Emma Raducanu, who gained international recognition after winning the 2021 US Open at just 18 years old, quickly built a valuable endorsement portfolio in tennis. However, since then, she has faced a series of injuries and illnesses, causing her world ranking to fall to number 299 from a high of number 10 in 2022. Despite these setbacks, Raducanu’s young age and undeniable talent continue to make her an attractive figure for brands in the long run.
5. Naomi Osaka ($15 million)
Naomi Osaka, who gave birth to a daughter in July, has not played competitive tennis since September 2022. However, she is gearing up for a comeback in Brisbane as a tune-up for the Australian Open in January. In the meantime, Osaka has ventured into new marketing categories by signing sponsor deals with Bobby baby formula and kraton kids. Her Media Company, Hanuma, also raised $5 million in April. These endeavors demonstrate Osaka’s commitment to expanding her brand beyond the tennis court.
HIGHEST-PAID FEMALE ATHLETES 2023 (6-20):
6. Aryna Sabalenka ($14.7 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: BELARUS | AGE: 25 | ON-FIELD: $8.2 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $6.5 MILLION
7. Jessica Pegula ($12.5 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: U.S. | AGE: 29 | ON-FIELD: $6 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $6.5 MILLION
8. Venus Williams($12.2 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: U.S. | AGE: 43 | ON-FIELD: $0.2 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $12 MILLION
9. Elena Rybakina($9.5 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: KAZAKHSTAN | AGE: 24 | ON-FIELD: $5.5 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $4 MILLION
10. Leylah Fernandez($8.8 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: CANADA | AGE: 21 | ON-FIELD: $1.8 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $7 MILLION
11. Nelly Korda($8.2 million) SPORT: GOLF | NATIONALITY: U.S. | AGE: 25 | ON-FIELD: $1.7 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $6.5 MILLION
12. Megan Rapinoe($8.2 million) SPORT: SOCCER | NATIONALITY: U.S. | AGE: 38 | ON-FIELD: $0.7 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $7.5 MILLION
13. Candace Parker($8.1 million) SPORT: BASKETBALL | NATIONALITY: U.S. | AGE: 37 | ON-FIELD: $0.1 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $8 MILLION
14. Alex Morgan($7.8 million) SPORT: SOCCER | NATIONALITY: U.S. | AGE: 34 | ON-FIELD: $0.8 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $7 MILLION
15. Qinwen Zheng($7.2 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: CHINA | AGE: 21 | ON-FIELD: $1.7 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $5.5 MILLION
16. Simone Biles($7.1 million) SPORT: GYMNASTICS | NATIONALITY: U.S. | AGE: 26 | ON-FIELD: $0.1 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $7 MILLION
17. P.V. Sindhu($7.1 million) SPORT: BADMINTON | NATIONALITY: INDIA | AGE: 28 | ON-FIELD: $0.1 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $7 MILLION
18. Ons Jabeur($5.7 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: TUNISIA | AGE: 29 | ON-FIELD: $3.2 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $2.5 MILLION
19. Brooke Henderson($5.4 million) SPORT: GOLF | NATIONALITY: CANADA | AGE: 26 | ON-FIELD: $1.9 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $3.5 MILLION
20. Markéta Vondroušová($5.2 million) SPORT: TENNIS | NATIONALITY: CZECH REPUBLIC | AGE: 24 | ON-FIELD: $4.7 MILLION • OFF-FIELD: $0.5 MILLION