Maria Sharapova still highest paid female athlete 2008?

Question

Maria has been the highest paid female athlete in 2006. And in 2008, Maria is once again named the Highest Paid Female Athlete of 2008 by Forbes with annual income of $26 million. Maria is one of the 4 tennis players, whom are the top 4. Those includes runner up Serena Williams with only $14 million, followed by Venus Williams with $13 million and the newly retired Justine Henin by $12.5 million.

What do you think? My question is, why do these tennis stars get so much money from their endorsements. I mean, Maria Sharapova has earned $11 million in her tennis career but earns $26 million a year for her endorsements. That's more than half she earns in her entire tennis career. And why does most top earners are mostly female athletes from tennis? So which means tennis is the most popular sport for womens?

Answer 1

wow so much money sharapova my girl lol

Answer 2

It's all marketing and unfortunately most people fall for it.

Sure I love Federer and Nadal's games but I personally do not like Nike, who sponsors both of them. I will never buy Nike products because of their poor child labor practices.

But the marketing factor of the Nike logo on the top player's outfits is very influential to people into labels.

Also, if you're an athlete in demand, many companies will be vying for your endorsement of their products, everything from cameras to gear, to sports drinks. And who can blame them for taking the money. We the public make them popular.

Answer 3

because sharapova is pretty, tall, talented, and awesome!

Answer 4

I do find it interesting how women get paided more in some fields.  Maybe it's because there are women that want to be like them and men who want to be with them.  It's a superficial world we live in otherwise the more talented...Henin and the Williams sisters would be the top earners.  Tennis isn't the only field that the ladies are the ones making most of the money.  Take figure skating...the winner of the ladies field in Nationals, Worlds and the Olympics usually gets all the endorsements especially if it's not a once in the lifetime winner...well most of the time.  I'm personally more into the atp tour.  I find their tennis to be more consistently interesting.

Answer 5

course still got the best body on tour

except her wide shoulders!

Answer 6

because people are stupid, shallow and insecure and needs to be like someone in order to fill their empty unidentifiable self, and companies like to make money off this. The only reason why Maria is #1 is because we live in a fake, stereotypical and superficial world... she should retire from tennis if she focuses too much on endorsements than her actual tennis, which seems to be happening lately...

Answer 7

...still highest over paid, over rated female athlete today. Perhaps she should "model" less, and focus on her tennis if its as important as she says it is. She certainly isnt deomonstrating her on court skills consistently as she once was known for. Perhaps also, if she didnt do all these photo shoots, she can play more tournaments than 13 a year and not complain of fatigue.

Answer 8

sharapova is hotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt... the williams are notttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt...

Answer 9

wow thats crazy