Sports richest woman

[pies4ever]

Sport's richest woman

By Stephen Wood in New York


SIX-TIMES grand slam champion Serena Williams has signed an endorsement contract with sportswear giant Nike that could make her the richest woman in sport.

And she plans to make her on-court outfits even more extravagant and revealing now she's in the Nike brand.

Sources close to the deal said Williams had been signed for five years with the option of a further three.

If Serena meets performance-related bonuses over the full eight years she could net close to $80million.

That would overhaul the $50million, five-year agreement between her sister Venus and Reebok and almost certainly surpass the endorsement earnings of Russian Anna Kournikova.

Williams, who became well-known for her unique tennis outfits made by former sponsor Puma, will be closely involved in the design of her outfits and those produced for the masses by Nike.

Williams has talked previously of her desire to pursue other interests outside the sport though she has said she plans to continue playing for another 10 years.

"She is one of the greatest athletes, male or female, in the world," Nike spokesman Dave Mingey said yesterday.

"We cannot reveal specifics [about how involved Williams will become in the design], but we will be working with her as both a woman and an athlete.

"We are extremely pleased that Serena will be joining the team of Nike athletes," said Riccardo Colombini, global director of the brand's tennis marketing division, yesterday.

Serena, the 22-year-old whose game was developed on the public courts of Compton, Los Angeles, has not played competitively since capturing her second Wimbledon title in July and her world ranking has slipped from first to third.

A knee injury, which required surgery, has kept her sidelined, although she is expected to return to action at this month's Hopman Cup in Perth.

Williams will then be one of the stars at the Australian Open in Melbourne, along with big sister Venus.