The five-time grand slam winner, Maria Sharapova was not just a force to be reckoned with on the court but also an icon off it. She was the highest-paid female athlete in the world ahead of Serena Williams for 11 straight years. She claimed the position in 2005 with 18.2 million dollars and did not leave it until 2016.
All this, but Serena still had more wins and prize money for titles. So, how was Maria Sharapova able to make so much more money as compared to Serena Williams?
Serena has earned around $95 million as her career prize money. This is three times as compared to Sharapova’s $38 million. Despite the difference in their career prize money Sharapova earns almost the same as Serena. She made a lot more than her until 2016.
World’s highest paid female athlete:
2005-2015: Maria Sharapova
2016: Serena Williamshttps://t.co/Y7klvdmJnu pic.twitter.com/frLAjOfZer— Forbes (@Forbes) June 7, 2016
Tennis players have a variety of ways to earn money beyond prize money, and the most successful players often have a diversified portfolio of income streams. So is the case with Maria Sharapova. The primary reason for this is her vast amounts of investments and endorsements. Let’s take a look at some of her business and sponsors that made her the highest-paid female athlete for such a long time.
How Did Maria Sharapova earn so much money?
Maria Sharapova was one of the most marketable athletes in the world during her tennis career, with numerous endorsement deals under her belt. She had a 12.5 million dollar per year endorsement deal with Nike until it was terminated after she failed a doping test.
Maria Sharapova had a long-standing endorsement deal with Porsche, which began in 2013 and continued until the end of her tennis career. Sharapova was a brand ambassador for the company, helping to promote its products to a global audience. Even though the exact details of the endorsement are not revealed, it is estimated that she earned around 3 million dollars from the deal.
My favorite @porsche car at the museum today. It’s called the pink pig… pic.twitter.com/al0sFTgP3u
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) April 22, 2013
Maria established her very own candy brand, Sugarpova. Launched in 2012, Sugarpova offers a range of premium candies with unique flavors and playful packaging. Ever since its inception, Sugarpova has become a global success. Sharapova earns around $20 million in annual earnings. Moreover, the company is valued at a staggering $195 million. The products are sold in over 40 countries worldwide and Sugarpova has been a lucrative venture for Sharapova.
Sharapova’s skincare brand, Supergoop!, is another testament to her entrepreneurial vision and commitment to promoting healthy living. Launched in 2007, Supergoop! is a high-end skincare brand that specializes in sun protection products.
