World's Highest Paid Female Athletes - 2014 edition

[Moose]

from Forbes Magazine. Obviously, tennis is a female athlete's best shot at the big dollars.

List can be seen at: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45ekgkk/the-worlds-highest-paid-female-athletes/?utm_source=sports.yahoo.com&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=highest+earning+female+athletes+2014


1) Maria Sharapova - $24.4 million
2) Li Na - $23.6 M
3) Serena Williams - $22 M
4) Kim Yuna (figure skater) - $16.3 M
5) Danica Patrick (racing) - $15 M
6) Victoria Azarenka - $11.1 M
7) Caroline Wozniacki - 10.8 M
8) Agnieszka Radwanska - $6.8 M
9) Ana Ivanovic - $6.4 M
10) Paula Cramer (golf) - $5.5 M

 

[kskate2]

That's not a surprise. If I'm not mistaken, both Maria & Li have the same manager and he got them lucrative deals w/ Porsche, Mercedes, Bulova & Rolex respectively.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

This is all at least in part to the "equal prize money" situation in tennis instead of
letting the market forces dictate the prize money. I think WNBA players probably
make a pittance in comparison to NBA players as it is completely market driven.

p.s. I am aware that prize money is only one component in their portfolio, but
nonetheless that is the driving force to all other good things that comes with it
such as endorsements.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

That is interesting Serena has had a pretty crappy year per her standards while Maria and Li both have a slam this year, and she is only a couple million behind in their earnings.

 

[Calvy]

This is all at least in part to the "equal prize money" situation in tennis instead of
letting the market forces dictate the prize money. I think WNBA players probably
make a pittance in comparison to NBA players as it is completely market driven.

p.s. I am aware that prize money is only one component in their portfolio, but
nonetheless that is the driving force to all other good things that comes with it
such as endorsements.

Well, even prior to equal prize money, women tennis always had the highest paid female athletes.

Remember, Billie Jean King was the first female athlete to make 100k in a year, Chris Evert the first to make 200k, and Martina the first to make 1 million in a year. All without the benefit of equal prize money.

And if we let the market dictate earnings, Serena would be the highest paid tennis player, male or female, at least U.S. market standards.