After Gold And Glory, PV Sindhu Is Earning Over Rs 35 Crores A Year!

World Champion PV Sindhu has once again regained the crown of being the highest-paid woman athlete in India. She was also featured on Forbes list of highest-paid sportswomen in the world this year. With many new brand endorsement deals pouring in, Sindhu’s average brand endorsement fee is about Rs 65-85 lakh per day, as per industry sources. The value goes up to a massive Rs 1.5 crore in certain cases. Sports consultants says that her recent win is helping her getting a hike of 50-70% over and above her current endorsement fee which is only likely to go up gradually. “At the moment, Sindhu is the highest paid woman athlete in India and commands fees comparable to some leading cricketers,” Ramakrishnan R, co-founder and director of Baseline Ventures, Sindhu’s talent management firm, informed the Financial Express.

Sindhu was ranked at 15th place among India’s most valuable celebrity, according to Duff & Phelps, the global valuation and corporate finance advisors, in January this year.

Key Takeaways:

• As per industry sources, Sindhu’s average brand endorsement fee is about Rs 65-85 lakh per day, which goes up to a massive Rs 1.5 crore in certain cases.
• The Hyderabad-based shuttler is the highest-paid woman athlete in India. She was also featured on Forbes list of highest-paid sportswomen in the world this year.
• The Badminton Association of India announced prize money of Rs 20 lakh for Sindhu after her historic win.
• “At the moment, Sindhu is the highest paid woman athlete in India and commands fees comparable to some leading cricketers,” Ramakrishnan R, Sindhu’s talent management firm
• According to the Forbes report, Sindhu now earns nearly Rs 35 crore from brand endorsement deals annually.

She scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a World Championships gold medal. She defeated Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the finals of the tournament last month. “She is not a flash in the pan kind of performer and brands value that quality of hers,” says Ritesh Nath, director – commercial, Nielsen Sports and Entertainment India. He believes brands are moving on to non-cricketers ambassadors, and Sindhu’s recent success makes her a promising face.

As per industry sources, Sindhu’s average brand endorsement fee is about Rs 65-85 lakh per day, which goes up to a massive Rs 1.5 crore in certain cases.

Reflecting on her constant growth, in January this year, Duff & Phelps assessed her brand value is of $21.6 million in 2018. “We don’t want brands to suddenly get excited about Sindhu. She will choose credible and long-term partnerships that are not contingent to only her performance and wins,” says Ramakrishnan.

One of her biggest endorsements Sindhu bagged this year was an Rs 50 crore sponsorship and equipment deal, the biggest of its kind in the Badminton world. According to the Forbes report, Sindhu now earns nearly Rs 35 crore from brand endorsement deals annually.

The Hyderabad-based badminton player ranked 13th in the Forbes Highest-Paid Female Athletes list. She is among India’s favourites for another Olympic medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Also Read:The Gender Pay Gap In Sport: Why We Must Talk About It

Sindhu also bagged the Sportsperson of the Year (Female) title at the ESPN India Awards for 2018, ESPN reported. Overall, Sindhu’s latest achievement was to secure World No. 2 spot, as per the latest BWF rankings. Last year, Sindhu successfully made it to the Forbes List Of 30 Under 30 Asia 2018. She is among a total of four Indians included in the list’s ‘Entertainment & Sports’ category. India’s ace badminton player is a role model to many and her words impact youngsters.

The Hyderabad-based badminton player ranked 13th in the Forbes Highest-Paid Female Athletes list. She is among India’s favourites for another Olympic medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Earlier this year, Sindhu signed India’s biggest sports sponsorship deal for a non-cricketer, biggest for any female athlete in the country. She signed a four-year deal with Chinese premium sports brand Li-Ning, pegged at Rs 48 crore, which includes sponsorship money and Rs 5 crore in equipment supply till 2023.

Feature Image Credit: The New Indian Express

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