The 29-year-old became Asia’s first Grand Slam singles champion at the French Open in June and has since signed seven deals, each worth between $2 million and $3.5 million annually, her agent Max Eisenbud told Bloomberg. All seven contracts are for a period of three years and Eisenbud revealed Li has now become a hot property. “We could do five more endorsement deals but she just doesn’t have the time,” said Eisenbud, a vice-president at IMG Tennis. “It’s incredible.”
The endorsements may make Li the second-highest earning female athlete in the world, behind fellow tennis ace Sharapova. The Russian, who is also represented by Eisenbud, made $25 million from prize money and endorsements for the 12 months through June 2011, according to a Forbes report released on Monday.
Current world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki ranked second in the list with $12.5 million, while racing driver Danica Patrick rounded out the top three with $12 million. Forbes ranked Li at No.8 with $8 million, but added that her most recent deals had yet to kick in.
Li became the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final at January’s Australian Open leading to sponsorship deals with Rolex Group, Haagen-Dazs and Sina. The Roland Garros triumph has further bolstered Li’s commercial portfolio through deals with Mercedes-Benz and Taikang Life Insurance Co. The latter two companies boast logos on the sleeves of Li’s outfit, with the 29-year-old the only tennis player to be permitted to do so by her sportswear partner Nike.
Eisenbud added the remainder of Li’s new endorsement deals, including two “blue-chip global brands” and a Chinese real estate company which will help the player build a tennis academy in her home country, will be announced later this year.
