These Are The Richest Women In Professional Sports
Women in sports have never been shy to knock down the door of the "boys' club" and crash the party.
In their careers, these special women have earned millions of dollars from winning titles and securing sponsorships. Their lucrative careers have inspired people worldwide. These are the richest women in professional sports.
Anna Kournikova Net Worth - $60 Million
The former Russian competitor's celebrity status made her a well-known tennis star worldwide. Despite never winning a singles title, she reached No. 8 in the world in 2000.
It's safe to say that her days on the court weren't great, but earning $50 million certainly didn't hurt thanks to her marketing endorsements. In her personal life, Kournikova has had a long-standing relationship with music superstar Enrique Iglesias. The two began dating in 2001 and are still together today.
Caroline Wozniacki Net Worth - $50 Million
The Danish tennis star is more than just a pretty face. Wozniacki is the first woman from a Scandinavian country to hold the top ranking position in the Open Era. She would win the 2017 season-ending WTA Finals, and the 2018 Australian Open.
While she's still playing today, Wozniacki has earned $50 million. As she continues her career, that number will only grow. Currently, she has several sponsorships including Adidas, Rolex, and The Players' Tribune.
Ana Ivanovic Net Worth - $16 Million
The now-retired Serbian tennis player got her first breakthrough in 2004, narrowly defeating Venus Williams in the second round of the Zurich Open. Since then, Ivanovic has been one of the most marketable players.
The former No. 1 went from great to mediocre, but still earned $12 million during her intriguing career. Still young, Ivanovic will have every chance in the coming years to reclaim her former glory, and with that, more money will likely come flowing her way.
Serena Williams Net Worth - $250 Million
You knew she was going to end up near the top of this list. The youngest of the Williams' sisters, Serena was No.1 for 319 consecutive weeks. She holds the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles too.
Today, she's still playing, and her net-worth has built up to $250 million. Her empire is only growing, too. She's also married to Reddit founder Alex Ohanian, who has a net worth of $70 million.
Victoria Azarenka Net Worth - $25 Million
Azarenka has won 20 WTA singles titles. She even became the first Belarusian player to win a Grand Slam singles title. With two Australian Open titles in her career, she reached the U.S. Open finals in back-to-back years in 2012 and 2013.
Azarenka has pulled in $20 million in career earnings. While she may not be as big a name as the Williams sisters, her earnings show how lucrative professional tennis is for women in athletics!
Ronda Rousey - $14 Million
Ronda Rousey is both a tough fighter and a smart business woman. She's had an incredible career in wrestling, mixed martial arts, judoka, and WWE. She also holds a bronze medal in judo from the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Aside from her earnings from sports, Rousey's income is padded with checks from her acting career, with roles in The Expendables 3, 9-1-1, Furious 7, Entourage, and Blindspot. Rousey is also a brand ambassador for companies including MetroPCS, Isureon Insurance, Reebok, and Carl's Jr.
Maria Sharapova Net Worth - $180 Million
It's no surprise that the Russian tennis star is one of the best in the world. With over 33 career singles titles and five Grand Slams, the tennis player was once named the highest-grossing female athlete in 2014.
Her earnings of $180 million make her a star who's still showing her pure talent. Of course, that $180 million pales in comparison to the next athlete on this list. An athlete who has broken boundaries to become a sports icon worldwide.
Paula Creamer Net Worth - $8 Million
Creamer has the nickname "The Pink Panther" thanks to her many bright outfits. Outside of that, the California native is one of the most steady golfers in the game. It's one thing to step out on the course looking her best, it's another that she backs up her fashion sense with incredible play.
She's ranked as high as number two in the Women's World Golf Rankings, and her career earnings are worth more than $8 million.
Li Na Net Worth - $60 Million
The Chinese tennis player retired in 2014. Her victories at the 2011 French Open and the 2014 Australian Open made her the first Grand Slam singles champion from Asia. She peaked at No. 2 in the world at one point in her career too.
But, earning $90 million made her one of the most feared opponents. Truly, when she was on the court, it was never easy to win. She made it look easy, though!
Danica Patrick Net Worth - $80 Million
Patrick's 2008 Indy Japan 300 victory made her the first woman to accomplish the feat in an IndyCar Series race. The Wisconsin-native has a net worth of $80 million, and she continues to lead her peers in marketing opportunities.
Not bad for someone who's made multiple firsts for a woman in racing. Since retiring from racing, Patrick has continued to earn money through sponsorships and investments. She has also earned the heart of Packers QB Aaron Rogers.
Venus Williams Net Worth - $95 Million
The oldest of the Williams' siblings is one of the all-time greats of women's tennis. While she might not be as dominant as her sister, that doesn't mean she's a slouch whatsoever.
With $95 million to her name, Venus has proven that she's as talented as anyone else on tour. It's amazing how much money she's earned, and it's even more amazing to learn she is not the highest-earning female athlete of all time. Does that honor go to her sister?
Yani Tseng Net Worth - $6 Million
The former No. 1 golfer in the world had success early in her career. Tseng is the youngest player ever, male or female, to win five major titles and could be considered for the Hall of Fame too.
Oh, and she has earned just over $6 million in her career. Golf, as you'll see, is one of the highest-earning sports for women. While their winnings rarely match those of their male counterparts, athletes like Tseng show that consideration should be given for fair and equal pots for first place finishes!
Lorena Ochoa Net Worth - $15 Million
The Mexican golfer packed up the clubs in 2010. But, she did leave her mark on the golf world when she was the top-ranked female golfer for 158 consecutive weeks.
While being considered the best Latin American female golfer of all-time, Ochoa has racked in over $15 million. If she had chosen to continue her career, who knows how many more millions would be added onto that total. Still, we give her credit for retiring on her own terms.
Sloane Stephens Net Worth - $20 Million
Sloane Stephens made her pro event debut in 2007, and by 2012 had found her rhythm, climbing the WTA rankings and playing the full season. After being pitted against Serena Williams at the Brisbane International quarterfinals and ultimately losing, Williams softened the blow by telling her that she could be "the best in the world one day."
In 2017 Stephens became the US Open champion (even though she was low on the WTA rankings at the time) and reached her career-best ranking of No. 3 in the world after Wimbledon in 2018. With a reported annual income of $500,000, Stephens's net worth is an estimated $20 million.
Jelena Jankovic Net Worth - $15 Million
Jankovic has won 15 WTA singles titles and two doubles titles. The now-retired Serbian even won the 2007 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title with Jamie Murray. With being a former No. 1 ranked tennis player, Jankovic has put together a stellar career.
Heck, her success helped her accumulate $15 million in earnings. How much more can she earn before she retires? As wages continue to rise in women's professional sports, the sky i really the limit for this tennis phenom.
Agnieszka Radwanska Net Worth - $25 Million
The former Polish tennis star put together a stellar career. Known for making intelligent uses of the court, Radwanska won 14 singles titles, and she reached her first career Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. She would defeat Simona Halep in straight sets.
Following her retirement, Radwanska made nearly $7 million. Those earnings, of course, are split between winnings and sponsorships, of which Radwanska had many, most notably Babolat, Vanquis Bank, Play, Amica, and Lotto Sport Italia.
Karrie Webb Net Worth - $15 Million
The Aussie golfer plays mainly on the U.S. based LPGA Tour. She also turns out a few times a year on the ALPG Tour too. With 41 wins on the LPGA Tour, Webb is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Webb has solidified herself with earnings of more than $15 million. And like so many other women, those earnings could skyrocket as her career continues, especially if she continues to tour worldwide.
Lindsay Davenport Net Worth - $25 Million
Davenport is one of five women who has been the year-end World No.1 at least four times. She even achieved the same ranking in doubles too. A great player like her inspires more than a few people to pursue a career in tennis.
When she walked away from the game in 2011, her earnings were $25 million. We wonder what that number would be if her career was happening now instead of back then. Maybe it would be closer to $40 million?
Kim Yuna Net Worth - $8 Million
Kim is the first South Korean figure skater to win a medal at an ISU Junior or Senior Grand Prix event. She is also the first figure skater on this list. But will she be the last?
After hanging up her skates following the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the former skater has gained a net worth around $8 million, making her one of the best skaters in the past decade. Sponsorships have contributed to her overall earnings.
Annika Sorenstam Net Worth - $40 Million
There's no doubt that Sorenstam is one of the best female golfers ever. The Swede dominated in her era like no other golfer before. With 93 international championships, 72 LPGA tournaments, and ten majors, it's no wonder why she was such a special talent.
All in all, she would make $40 million in her career. With those kinds of accomplishments, Sorenstam was easily inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame - becoming the first international LPGA player to do so.
