Naomi Osaka’s journey from a rising tennis star to a global brand icon is defined by her tennis success and the lucrative endorsements she has garnered during her career. From being a tennis prodigy to the highest-paid female athlete in the world, her journey as a professional player has been truly remarkable.
Let’s delve into her extraordinary journey as the world’s most marketable female athlete and explore what she’s been up to in 2023, particularly since becoming a mother, while taking a break from playing tennis.
Transition from Adidas to Nike
Naomi Osaka’s journey through the world of tennis endorsements began with her first Grand Slam victory at the 2018 U.S. Open. Rumors circulated widely about an extension of her Adidas contract, especially ahead of her subsequent Grand Slam triumph at the 2019 Australian Open. Despite the rumors, Osaka never officially extended her contract with Adidas. Instead, she made a momentous decision to join forces with Nike.
Osaka’s deal with Nike
In April 2019, Osaka signed an official contract with Nike, marking a significant turning point in her brand affiliation. This decision followed thorough deliberation of other offers, including one from Uniqlo. Her association included the selection of an extensive range of Nike products including her on-court attire such as hoodies, t-shirts, and shorts, and notably the Nike Court Zoom Zero tennis shoe line.
What a welcome, thank you! #JustDoIt #TeamNike @nike @nikewomen @nikecourt @niketokyo @KDTrey5 pic.twitter.com/Jp1t57HHPX
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) April 5, 2019
Her partnership with Nike, secured after a bidding war with Adidas, plays a substantial role in her financial success. This deal extends until 2025 and includes a unique provision that allows patches of other brands on her tennis attire, a rare exception from Nike’s standard guidelines.
NIKECOURT AIR ZOOM GP TURBO “NAOMI OSAKA” pic.twitter.com/m93Y1CPTYM
— US11 (@US_11) May 21, 2022
The leading sports brand is estimated to pay her a substantial $10 million annually for her association with the company. Osaka highly values this partnership, expressing, “I’m proud to become a member of the Nike family and excited about getting involved in all of the opportunities Nike has to offer.”
Naomi Osaka launches her latest Nike collection celebrating her dual heritage
In a fascinating recent development, Naomi Osaka has introduced her latest Nike collection, which pays tribute to her diverse heritage. Born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a Haitian-American father, Osaka’s life experiences in both Japan and the United States served as the source of inspiration for this collection.
The items in this collection include faux fur bucket hats, long-sleeved satin tops, oversized fleece sweatpants, and a distinct design adorning her signature shoes—the Nike Court Air Zoom GP Turbo Osaka. The standout piece in this collection is a brown bomber jacket, emblazoned with “Osaka” across the chest, featuring the flags of her dual heritage countries, Haiti and Japan, stitched in light pink cursive on each sleeve.
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Her latest endeavor into a Nike collection that celebrates her dual heritage underlines her cultural identity and widespread appeal to the general masses. Now the world eagerly awaits the return of Naomi Osaka to the tennis court in the coming season after a year-long hiatus due to pregnancy.
Her other sponsorships
While her collaboration with Nike is undoubtedly a milestone, Osaka’s charisma and on-court accomplishments have garnered her numerous deals across multiple brands and product lines. Her other famous endorsement partners include Yonex, Citizen, Shiseido, Nippon, Proctor & Gamble, Nissan, Google, Louis Vuitton, Sweetgreen, and Levi’s among others.
Naomi Osaka’s earnings, Forbes rankings, and net worth
Osaka’s earnings have propelled her to the top echelons of the world’s highest-paid athletes. In a Forbes ranking, she secured the 19th position with earnings totaling $51.1 million in 2022. Significantly, she has set a female athlete record with a notable $50 million coming from her off-court endorsement deals. Despite not playing the entire 2023 season, she still earned a whopping $12.1 million to become the 9th richest tennis earner currently.
Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2022:
🇯🇵 Naomi Osaka: $57.3m
🇺🇸 S Williams: $45.9m
🇺🇸 V Williams: $11.3m
🇺🇸 Simone Biles: $10.1m
🇪🇸 Garbiñe Muguruza: $8.8m
🇰🇷 Jin Young Ko: $7.5m
🇮🇳 P.V Sindhu: $7.2m
🇦🇺 Ashleigh Barty: $6.9m
🇺🇸 Nelly Korda: $5.9m
🇺🇸 Candace Parker: $5.7m(Forbes)
— World Index (@theworldindex) November 29, 2022
Naomi Osaka has achieved remarkable recognition in Forbes rankings. She has consistently held top positions in the Forbes lists, notably ranked as the highest-paid female athlete in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Naomi Osaka currently has an estimated net worth ranging between $45 million and $65 million. This reflects her remarkable financial achievements and her status as one of the world’s most influential athletes.