Chinese tennis star Li Na is the world’s highest-earning retired women’s sports star, according to a Forbes magazine study.
The 34-year-old, who retired two years ago but remains an iconic endorsement figure in China, was placed 14th in the Forbes’ list of the world’s richest sports retirees and topped the roster’s women’s chart with US$14 million. Li won the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open titles.
As can be seen in this recently issued Forbes magazine study, the list is dominated by male sports figures, with NBA superstar Michael Jordan at the top.
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion back in the '90s and currently the owner of the leagues' Charlotte Hornets, earned $110 million in 2015.
Coming next in second place is soccer star David Beckham with US$65 million. Major endorsement deals in Britain and China helped boost the 40-year-old’s position.
Golf legend Arnold Palmer, 86, ranked third at US$40 million. Junior Bridgeman was fourth at US$32 million and Jerry Richardson ranked fifth on US$30 million.
Completing the top 10 are golf legend Jack Nicklaus (no. 6, $26 million), former NBA big man Shaquille O'Neal (no. 7, $22 million), racing car driver-turned-car dealer Roger Penske (no. 8, $20 million), South African golf star Gary Player (no. 9, $19 million) and NBA superstar Magic Johnson (no. 10, $18 million).
Source: Yibada
Proofread by John Devlin.