Top 10 Highest-Earning Female Athletes of 2024: Coco Gauff Leads With $30 Million
Coco Gauff has once again claimed the title of the highest-earning female athlete in 2024, earning over $30 million. The 20-year-old tennis star is one of only three women in sports history, alongside Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, to make over $30 million in a single year from prize money and endorsements.
According to Sportico, Gauff’s earnings increased by $7 million compared to 2023, when she earned $22.7 million. Skiing star Eileen Gu moved up to second place with $22.1 million, while former tennis world No. 1 Iga Swiatek dropped to third with $21.4 million, down from $21.9 million last year.
Top 10 Female Earners Dominated by Tennis Players
Tennis continues to dominate the list, with Zheng Qinwen making a big debut in fourth place with $20.6 million. Basketball star Caitlin Clark entered the Top 10, earning $11 million, mainly through endorsements.
Breakdown of Earnings
The earnings include prize money, salaries, bonuses, endorsements, royalties, and fees for appearances and media work. The estimates were compiled through industry research and conversations with marketing experts. All figures are before taxes and agent fees.
Track and Field Struggles to Keep Up
Despite the hard work of track and field athletes, none made it into the Top 10, or even the Top 30. This highlights the financial struggles in athletics, where endorsements and sponsorships lag far behind other sports.
At the Paris Olympics, Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia emerged as a new sprint queen, defeating Sha’Carri Richardson to win 100m gold. While Alfred has signed endorsement deals, her earnings still fall short compared to top athletes in tennis or basketball.
Hope for Better Opportunities in Athletics
Upcoming events like the Athlos Track Meet, founded by Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian, and the Grand Slam Track Series by Michael Johnson aim to improve prize money and sponsorship opportunities for track athletes. These initiatives could pave the way for greater investment in athletics, narrowing the earnings gap with other sports.
While Gauff and her peers continue to dominate the financial landscape, there’s hope that track and field stars will soon have a chance to shine on and off the track.
