Venus Williams Inks Rich Endorsem*nt Deal (2024)

N E W  Y O R K, Dec. 21 -- Tennis star Venus Williams signed a contractwith Reebok worth a reported $40 million today in what isbelieved to be the richest endorsem*nt deal ever for a femaleathlete.

“This is another part of reaching out for my dreams,” saidWilliams, who won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and Olympic gold medalsduring a 35-match winning streak this year. At 20, she is rankedthird in the world.

Rare for Women

Huge endorsem*nt deals are rare in women’s sports. Nike hasdeals with soccer’s Mia Hamm, basketball’s Lisa Leslie, track’sMarion Jones and top-ranked tennis star Martina Hingis, who has asix-year pact worth nearly $30 million.

On paper, Anna Kournikova may have the richest deal of all, asix-year contract with Adidas worth $50 million. But it guaranteesthe tennis star only about $3 million, with the rest contingent onher success on the court. And she has yet to win her firsttournament.

By contrast, Nike has a reported $100 million deal with TigerWoods, and Michael Jordan generates $40 million a year inendorsem*nt income two years after his retirement from basketball.

The terms of Williams’ deal were not disclosed, but Reebokmarketing officer Angel Martinez suggested that reports of afive-year contract worth $40 million were accurate.

Similarities To Tiger Woods

Like Woods, Williams, who is black, has succeeded as a minorityathlete in a sport historically dominated by whites.

“I have to be the best in everything I do,” she said. “We’vecome a long way with the WNBA and the soccer players. I’m doingwhat I can. Maybe that’s the most important part.”

Donna Lopiano, executive director of the Women’s SportsFoundation, said the deal “announces a new era in the corporatevaluing of the female athlete.”

David Bober, who represents Hamm, was also impressed.

“It can only help shorten the gap between male and femaleathletes on endorsem*nts,” he said. “It’s another signal that weare moving toward parity, a clear message that women’s sports arehere to stay.”

Venus Williams Inks Rich Endorsem*nt Deal (2024)

FAQs

How much does Venus Williams make in endorsem*nts? ›

The older Williams sister signed a deal with Reebok in 1995 at the age of 14 and has also has endorsem*nts with Wilson, Tide, Kraft, Electronic Arts, Ralph Lauren and Lacoste during her career. In 2021 alone, Venus is estimated to have earned $11m through sponsorship deals.

Why did Venus Williams not take the Nike deal? ›

Just as it's depicted in the movie, Venus wound up turning down the Nike deal because she believed she would be able to land an even more lucrative offer after she proved herself on the court once again...which obviously ended up happening.

How much did Nike pay Venus Williams? ›

When Venus Williams was about to play her first competitive match in three years, the night before the game, Venus & her father were approached by a Nike executive. The executive offered Venus a $3 million endorsem*nt contract. They wanted Venus to showcase her skills in order to offer her more.

What was Venus' first endorsem*nt? ›

The New York Times reports she signed a $12 million-dollar deal with Reebok in 1995. Venus was just 15 years old at the time and was ranked third in the world. The eight-figure deal was a first for a Black female athlete at this time, according to Parade.

Who is richer, Serena or Venus? ›

Who is richer, Venus or Serena? While both sisters have had highly profitable careers that transcend the tennis court, Serena's net worth is $205 million higher than her older sister Venus, who has an estimated net worth of $95 million.

Who is the richest player in tennis? ›

Currently ranked No 1 in the world, the Serbian tennis player has won 98 titles in his career to date, winning matches against both Federer and Nadal, and has amassed earnings of nearly US$181 million, per ATP Tour.

Do Serena and Venus get along with their dad? ›

“He was my best friend, and Venus and Serena were like family.” He added: “They were like my daughters. And when you're with someone every day, four, five hours a day, six days a week for four years, that's a long time.”

How much money does Venus Williams have? ›

Williams was twice the season prize money leader (in 2001 and 2017), and ranks second behind Serena in all-time career prize money winnings, having earned over US$42 million as of March 2022.

Who's more successful, Venus or Serena? ›

Venus has won 49 singles titles over the course of her career, and Serena won 73. The Williams sisters are the only two women during the Open Era to contest four consecutive major finals: from the 2002 French Open to the 2003 Australian Open.

How much is Serena paid by Nike? ›

Tennis and Endorsem*nts

Williams is widely regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time. In 2003, Williams signed a contract with Nike that would pay the tennis champion $55 million over eight years. 6 The tennis star still has her own collection with Nike, the Serena Williams Design Crew.

How much does Venus Williams get paid per match? ›

As of spring 2021, Venus had played a total of 1073 singles matches throughout her career up to that point. Looking at the money she had earned to that point in her tennis career, it can be estimated she had an average earning of around $88,500 for each game.

Is Serena's husband American? ›

How much is Serena Williams' husband worth? ›

Ohanian is based in Florida, where he lives with his wife, former tennis player Serena Williams, and their daughters, Alexis Olympia Ohanian and Adira River Ohanian. As of 2019, Forbes estimated Ohanian's net worth as $70 million.

What is Serena Williams' net worth in 2024? ›

The grand slam champ boasts a US$300 million net worth, opened up about motherhood, and attended Paris Fashion Week with Cher and Willow Smith.

Which of the Williams sisters was shot? ›

Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price (August 9, 1972 – September 14, 2003) was the oldest half-sister of and personal assistant to the leading tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. On September 14, 2003, she was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Compton, California, United States by Robert Maxfield. Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.

How much money does Venus Williams make? ›

Williams was twice the season prize money leader (in 2001 and 2017), and ranks second behind Serena in all-time career prize money winnings, having earned over US$42 million as of March 2022.

What products does Venus Williams endorse? ›

Venus Williams - Celebrity Endorsem*nts

Williams signed an endorsem*nt deal with Reebok in 1995 at age 14. She is featured in 2010 campaigns for Tide and Nabisco, and the 2019 Alcon Systane ads.

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