In an unprecedented milestone, 11 female athletes have shattered the $10 million earnings mark in 2024, signaling a significant transformation in the landscape of women's sports. Leading the charge is 20-year-old tennis sensation Coco Gauff, who has now cemented her place as one of the highest-earning female athletes of all time, lagging only behind icons Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.

The momentum for women’s sports continues to build, as evidenced by Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, whose performance has helped boost WNBA attendance and viewership to record highs. Clark earned an impressive estimated $8.1 million this year, matching the previous women’s basketball record set by the now-retired Candace Parker. Moreover, Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul made headlines by clinching a stunning $4 million at the CME Group Tour Championship, marking the largest single-prize payout in women's golf history, while her LPGA Tour rival Nelly Korda accrued $12.5 million, the highest value recorded by a golfer since Forbes began tracking women's sports earnings 17 years ago.

Coco Gauff, with total earnings of approximately $34.4 million, has achieved one of the most successful years ever documented for a female athlete, trailing only the peak earnings of Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams from their exceptional 2021 performances. To put these figures into perspective, the top 20 highest-paid female athletes amassed over $258 million this year—a notable increase from 2023’s $226 million and just surpassing the 2022 figures.

Despite these impressive gains, women’s earnings collectively still account for less than 12% of their male counterparts. The top 20 male athletes collectively earned a jaw-dropping estimated $2.23 billion, highlighting the ongoing gender pay gap in sports. In terms of endorsements, female athletes generated about $191 million, a stark contrast to the $624 million earned by men, underscoring the enduring inequalities off the field as well.

Interestingly, the gap in playing salaries and bonuses is another angle of the disparity. The WNBA's "supermax" salary stands at $241,984, while over 41 NBA players will earn more than Gauff with just their salaries in the upcoming season alone. However, there’s a sign of change: the WNBA is set to receive a remarkable $200 million annually from a new media rights deal with the NBA, and the LPGA Tour is significantly increasing its purses by 90% since 2021.

Another promising trend is the diversification of sports represented in the earnings rankings. Once overwhelmingly dominated by tennis, the list in 2024 now features athletes from golf, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and even badminton—indicating a broadening landscape for women's professional sports.

The Top 10 Highest-Paid Female Athletes of 2024

1. **Coco Gauff** - Tennis: $34.4 million (Age: 20) - Notable achievements include her co-flag bearer role at the Paris Olympics and significant wins in the WTA Finals. 2. **Iga Świątek** - Tennis: $23.8 million (Age: 23) - Despite facing challenges, Świątek maintained her top-tier sponsorship portfolio and recovered from a ranking dip. 3. **Eileen Gu** - Freestyle Skiing: $22.1 million (Age: 21) - With a diverse endorsement lineup, Gu continues to navigate criticism while achieving significant success in the sport. 4. **Qinwen Zheng** - Tennis: $20.6 million (Age: 22) - Zheng's stellar season included a major Australian Open performance and multiple sponsorships reflecting her rising star status. 5. **Aryna Sabalenka** - Tennis: $18.7 million (Age: 26) - After seizing the top ranking and major titles, Sabalenka's endorsement deals have significantly boosted her income. 6. **Naomi Osaka** - Tennis: $12.9 million (Age: 27) - Returning after a maternity break, Osaka's enduring commercial appeal and partnership ventures continue to shine. 7. **Emma Raducanu** - Tennis: $12.9 million (Age: 22) - Despite battling injuries, she maintains strong sponsorship ties from her initial U.S. Open victory. 8. **Nelly Korda** - Golf: $12.5 million (Age: 26) - Korda excelled with record-setting performances on the LPGA, complementing her growing list of endorsements. 9. **Simone Biles** - Gymnastics: $11.2 million (Age: 27) - Biles secured her status in gymnastics history with a stellar return that also earned her significant media attention. 10. **Jessica Pegula** - Tennis: $10.2 million (Age: 30) - Pegula's competitive wins and appearances drew substantial public engagement and sponsorship values.

The rise of these remarkable female athletes underscores a hopeful transition towards equitable opportunities in professional sports. As endorsements grow and viewership numbers rise, the future looks promising, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of sports earnings for women. With many athletes in their twenties, this could likely be just the beginning of remarkable careers and earnings yet to come.