By Raymond Rolak
Forbes magazine has just released its list of highest paid female athletes and Caroline Wozniacki is ranked third. The tennis pro had earnings of $14.6 million, including $11 million off the court. She picked up new deals with Godiva chocolates and Lavazza coffee this year.
Wozniacki has got a sweet tooth. She is the first athlete sponsor ever for Godiva, which approached her after Wozniacki said in a Wall Street Journal article: “I will do a chocolate deal for product only. No need for money.” Wozniacki will get product in the new deal, as well as a mid-six figure check annually in the multi-year pact. She ran the New York City marathon in November and raised more than $80,000 for charity in the process.
Agnieszka Radwanska was tenth on the list. She had earnings of $6 million, with $4 million coming from endorsements. The 2012 Wimbledon champ finished No. 6 in the WTA year-end rankings. She renewed endorsement deals with Lotto, Babolat and Lexus at healthy increases. She also added a new sponsor in Workday.
Serena Williams still looks up at rival Maria Sharapova when measuring their endorsement deals. Williams earned $24.6 million from prize money and endorsements between June 2014 and June 2015, while Sharapova banked $29.7 million. Sharapova is the world’s highest-paid female athlete for the 11th straight year.