Popular WTA Players and their Endorsements: Part I
Over the past decade or so, player endorsements have become a crucial part of every sport. Not only are they a lucrative source of income for the player but such contracts also help to promote the brands themselves. Therefore,
ventures are equally beneficial to both parties; in fact, these endorsements have become so common that many top players earn more from their contracts with major brands rather than from their sports.
This article discusses some popular Women’s Tennis Association players and their miscellaneous endorsements. These contracts span fashion, television and sportswear.
Serena Williams
Former World Number 1 Serena Williams requires no introduction; she is one of the most illustrious and controversial tennis players to ever set foot on the court. Currently World Number 12, she has been ranked Number 1 by the WTA
on five different occasions. Williams has won 13 Grand Slam titles, and many analysts claim that she would have outdone the records of Steffi Graf had her career not been hampered by multiple injuries.
As far as endorsements are concerned, Serena Williams has focused on fashion on and off the court. She was once infamous for her unusual tennis outfits, which she normally sports at the American Grand Slam. Notable attire includes
the black cat-suit she sported at the 2002 US Open and the denim skirt and knee-high boots worn at the 2004 US Open. The white trench coat she sported at the 2008 Wimbledon also drew attention, especially due to the fact that the weather was sunny when she
wore it.
She also regularly sports controversial outfits off the court; her nearly-topless dress at the premier of After the Sunset was the subject of much controversy and discussion. In accordance with her interests, Serena Williams formerly
collaborated with Puma to create a special line. After the dissolution of this contract, she began a new line with Nike; this endorsement was signed in April 2004 and is reportedly worth forty million US dollars.
2004 was a particularly significant year for Serena in terms of her endorsements and ventures, as she also began her own line of designer wear in this year. Her brand is called Aneres, a backward spelling of her first name. Her
recent achievements include Signature Statement, a collection of jewelry and handbags which she launched in 2009. These products are mostly available on the Home Shopping Network (HSN).
Earlier last year, Williams prepared for an upcoming nail collection with HairTech by becoming a certified nail technician.
Apart from endorsements exclusive to fashion, Williams has also ventured into the modelling world and televison. She posed in two issues of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, in 2003 and 2004. Williams has also done voiceovers
for shows such as Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Simpsons. She and her sister appeared in a reality show about their own lives, sponsored by ABC Family in April 2005.
Another one of Serena’s major ventures is her purchase of the Miami Dolphins. She and sister Venus became part-owners of the team in August 2009, becoming the first African-American women to own an NFL franchise.
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