2024: Women Athletes Break Records, But Pay Gap Remains in America
The top women’s athletes’ earnings for the year 2024 have marked their outstanding performance and further marketability, while significant disparities with male athletes have persisted.
Women’s golf standout Nelly Korda banked $4.4 million in on-course earnings, fueled by seven victories. Adding in endorsements, Korda’s overall earnings stood at $10.4 million. However, the figures remain far behind golfers like World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who also won seven tournaments in 2024 but earned more than $62 million solely on the course.
Tennis sensation Coco Gauff took the top spot, with a total of $30.4 million in winnings, while the 20-year-old American made some $9.4 million from prize money and an incredible $21 million from endorsements according to Sportico.
Also, the WNBA has its star, Caitlin Clark, who is said to be an enthusiastic golfer as well. At 20 years old, this young star made $11 million from endorsement deals, moving her into the top money earners, even though she participates in the less lucrative league.
Another significant contributor to the LPGA was Jeeno Thitikul, who bagged $4 million for winning the CME Group Tour Championship and thus ranked 12th on the earnings list. Lydia Ko, an experienced golfer and a gold medalist in the 2024 Olympics, also ranked 15th with earnings of $6.7 million, which included the prize money from her victories on the course and sponsorships.
These statistics represent increasing exposure and financial opportunities for female athletes, particularly golf, tennis, and basketball players. However, the significant earnings disparity between male and female professionals is evident, particularly in PGA and LPGA compensation.
Indeed, there has been undeniable progress in women’s sports. The recent spike in sponsorships and media coverage of their accomplishments would agree that the comparison with the males is where urgent calls are made for prize money and institutional support to come out of parity. It seems that the journey by such athletes as Gauff and Korda continues
