Fever rookie Caitlin Clark rocketed to the upper tiers of Sportico's annual highest-paid women's sports athletes report on Wednesday, landing in 10th place with an estimated $11 million in yearly earnings.
With tournaments like the US Open guaranteeing equal purses across men's and women's events, tennis players dominated the findings, accounting for nine of the 15 entries. This includes first-place Coco Gauff, who, with $9.4 million in prizes plus $21 million in endorsements, tops the list for the second year in a row.
Skier Eileen Gu came in second, complementing her individual earnings with the list's highest-estimated endorsement profits at $22 million. Gymnast Simone Biles came in at No. 9 with an estimated $11.1 million in total income.
Golfers Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko also made the cut, mirroring the LPGA Tour's expanded purses.
Report highlights endorsements in women's sports
The report underlines the continued importance of endorsements in the women's game — particularly within team sports, where many athletes rely on supplemental income to boost relatively small pro salaries.
However, 2024's estimated $221 million in total earnings is up 27% over last year, with 11 athletes making at least $10 million compared to six in 2023.
Sportico's 15 highest-paid women's sports athletes
1. Coco Gauff: $30.4 million
Prize money: $9.4 million | Endorsements: $21 million
2. Eileen Gu: $22.1 million
Prize money: $62,000 | Endorsements: $22 million
3. Iga Świątek: $21.4 million
Prize money: $8.4 million | Endorsements: $13 million
4. Zheng Qinwen: $20.6 million
Prize money: $5.6 million | Endorsements: $15 million
5. Aryna Sabalenka: $17.7 million
Prize money: $9.7 million | Endorsements: $8 million
6. Naomi Osaka: $15.9 million
Prize money: $870,000 | Endorsements: $15 million
7. Emma Raducanu: $14.7 million
Prize money: $671,000 | Endorsements: $14 million
8. Nelly Korda: $14.4 million
Prize money: $4.4 million | Endorsements: $10 million
9. Simone Biles: $11.1 million
Prize money: $135,000 | Endorsements: $11 million
10. Caitlin Clark: $11.1 million
Salary/bonus: $100,000 | Endorsements: $11 million
11. Jasmine Paolini: $10 million
Prize money: $6.5 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million
12. Jeeno Thitikul: $9.1 million
Prize money: $7.1 million | Endorsements: $2 million
13. Jessica Pegula: $8.2 million
Prize money: $4.2 million | Endorsements: $4 million
14. Elena Rybakina: $7.9 million
Prize money: $3.9 million | Endorsements: $4 million
15. Lydia Ko: $6.7 million
Prize money: $3.2 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million
Women’s sports showed up and showed out at Monday’s Met Gala, trading sportswear for designer duds inspired by the event’s 2022 theme, “Gilded Glamour.”
Venus Williams walked the Met Gala red carpet in a custom Chloé tux. Hairstylist Nikki Nelms opted for a bedazzled look for the tennis star, while makeup artist Karina Milan continued the beaded theme, creating a statement eye to tie the look together.
It's easy to ID who's wearing Chloé tonight. Just look for the fabulous #MetGala attendees in sunglasses and chic tailoring like Venus Williams. See more red carpet arrivals here: https://t.co/REM5NhoYbx pic.twitter.com/KeUKU2bxjv
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 3, 2022
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim also made an appearance, wearing a feathered Giambattista Valli gown. The red and white ensemble was complemented the athlete’s bold red lip.
Olympic gold medalist and snowboarder Chloe Kim goes big for her #MetGala debut in a feathered tulle ballgown. See more of tonight's red carpet arrivals here: https://t.co/doi1EEICrj pic.twitter.com/PA8SKsof0X
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) May 2, 2022
Retired tennis star Caroline Wozniacki donned a playful Christian Siriano cut-out dress with puffed blue sleeves. The 31-year-old walked the red carpet with her husband, David Lee, with whom she welcomed a baby girl last June.
Caroline Wozniacki attends The 2022 #MetGala #MetGala2022 pic.twitter.com/5QLMVhBeD5
— #MetGala (@21metgala) May 2, 2022
Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu attended the Met Gala after a banner Beijing Games. The skier opted for an edgy leather mini dress by Louis Vuitton paired with knee-high boots.
Eileen Gu attends The 2022 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/1HMKAFWlmZ
— #MetGala (@21metgala) May 3, 2022