PV Sindhu Is World's 13th Highest Paid Woman Athlete

Gold and glory are a never-ending process for World Champion PV Sindhu as now she is ranked 13th in the world of highest paid woman athletesfor the year, according to the Forbes. In its recently released list of 'Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2019' there are more prominent names from majorly tennis – with the top two spots being held by Serena Williamsand Naomi Osaka. From June 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019, Sindhu is also the only badminton player in the list. Interestingly, Sindhu's earnings are the same as the American tennis player, Madison Keys.

The Forbes website reads: “Sindhu remains India’s most marketable female athlete. The badminton star has endorsements with Bridgestone, JBL, Gatorade, Panasonic and more.”

Last month, Sindhu regained the spot of being the highest-paid woman athlete in India. With many new brand endorsement deals pouring in, Sindhu made a total of 5.5 million dollars in earnings, so Forbes called her 'India's most marketable female athlete.'

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. After the BWF World Championships this year, she started earning a massive Rs 1.5 crore in certain endorsement deals. 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.

Key Takeaways:

• As per Forbes, PV Sindhu is now ranked 13th in the world of highest paid woman athletes for the year. Forbes also called her 'India's most marketable female athlete.' 
• Sindhu is also the only badminton player in the list. Interestingly, Sindhu's earnings are the same as the American tennis player, Madison Keys.
• The list of 'Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2019' are mostly dominated by top tennis players, and is topped by American tennis superstar, Serena Williams
• Sindhu made a total of 5.5 million dollars in earnings and her 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 scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a World Championships gold medal. 

Sindhu 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 this year. “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 a 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 is among India’s favourites for another Olympic medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics.