Athlete #1 – Maria Sharapova
The final tennis player on the list, number 7 if you are keeping count, is Maria Sharapova. The 26 year old who is currently ranked number 3 in the world, has been the highest paid female athlete since 2006. As you can see, most of her earnings come from endorsements and sponsorships. Sharapova’s endorsements over time have included Motorola, Land Rover, Tiffany and Nike. Sharapova must have some business sense, because as she has fought a shoulder injury for many years, she has turned her name into a lucrative brand. Sharapova has a tennis clothing brand with Nike, and designs shoes and handbags for Cole Haan. Most recently, Sharapova signed a deal with Porsche as brand ambassador for three years.
Total earnings: $29 million
Prize money: $6 million
Endorsements: $23 million