The landscape of women’s sports has seen remarkable growth in recent years, both in terms of popularity and financial investment. With salaries, endorsements, and prize money steadily increasing, female athletes are beginning to gain well-deserved recognition for their talents and impact. As we move into 2025, there are clear front-runners when it comes to which women’s sports that will pay the most, reflecting the efforts to close the gender pay gap and elevate women’s professional leagues.
In this article, we’ll break down the women’s sports that will pay the most in 2025, covering everything from tennis and basketball to soccer, golf, and more. Additionally, we’ll look at why the WNBA may soon crack this list and explore factors driving this financial evolution.
1. Tennis: Still Leading the Way
Tennis remains at the forefront of women’s sports that will pay the most. Thanks to gender-equal prize money at major tournaments like the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open, female players regularly earn multi-million-dollar payouts.
- Top tennis players like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff combine prize money with lucrative endorsement deals, pushing their annual earnings into the tens of millions.
- In 2024, Coco Gauff earned a reported $30.4 million, with over 90% of her income coming from endorsements. This trend is expected to continue into 2025 as brands increasingly align themselves with tennis stars.
Tennis sets a benchmark for women’s sports that will pay the most, showcasing how equitable investment can elevate both the sport and its athletes.
2. Women’s Basketball: A Rising Force
While the WNBA has made significant strides in recent years, it is poised to see even greater growth moving forward.
In 2025, the launch of the Unrivaled League will redefine women’s basketball earnings. Co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, this eight-week league promises to pay players six-figure salaries, offering a new high-paying option for women’s basketball players.
- The WNBA itself has seen progress, with supermax contracts now reaching $234,936 annually.
- Top stars like A’ja Wilson are supplementing their salaries through high-value endorsement deals like the A’ja Wilson Nike deal, which highlights the growing commercial appeal of WNBA players.
While women’s basketball has yet to match the financial dominance of other sports, its trajectory suggests that the WNBA may soon join the ranks of women’s sports that will pay the most. For those curious about the current pay disparity, check out why do WNBA players make less than NBA players for an in-depth explanation.
3. Soccer: A Global Powerhouse
Women’s soccer has seen tremendous growth on the international stage, driven by events like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the success of leagues like the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League).
- In 2025, the NWSL’s top players are expected to earn salaries in the range of $500,000–$1 million, particularly as new sponsorships and media deals come into play.
- International stars like Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr continue to earn millions annually, combining club salaries, national team contracts, and sponsorship deals.
The Women’s Euro 2025 will also mark a milestone, with UEFA announcing that players will now receive a direct share of prize money for the first time. This decision highlights soccer’s place among women’s sports that will pay the most and reflects its rising global appeal.
4. Golf: LPGA Tour Continues to Grow
Women’s professional golf remains a top contender in women’s sports that will pay the most, thanks to increasing prize purses on the LPGA Tour.
- In 2024, the total LPGA prize pool reached $120 million, with top events like the U.S. Women’s Open offering prize money upwards of $12 million.
- Players like Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko regularly earn millions through both tournament winnings and endorsements.
The continued growth of golf sponsorships and prize purses makes the LPGA a key driver in closing the gender pay gap in sports.
5. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): Big Payouts for Top Fighters
Female MMA fighters in organizations like the UFC are among the highest-paid athletes in combat sports. Headliners like Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko earn significant fight purses, supplemented by bonuses and sponsorship deals.
- A main event UFC fight can see female fighters earning over $1 million in combined payouts.
- Performance bonuses and pay-per-view points further increase earnings, making MMA one of the women’s sports that will pay the most in 2025.
While earnings are largely tied to star power, MMA continues to provide top-tier opportunities for female athletes.
6. Cricket: A Growing Market
Cricket is fast becoming a major player in women’s sports that will pay the most, particularly in countries like England, Australia, and India.
- In 2025, salaries for players in The Women’s Hundred (England’s premier competition) are expected to reach £65,000 (approx. $85,000) for top performers.
- The growing popularity of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India has further boosted earnings, with players like Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry earning hundreds of thousands annually.
Cricket’s rise as a lucrative women’s sport highlights its growing international appeal and investment.
Why Women’s Sports Are Poised for Growth
The increasing financial rewards in women’s sports that will pay the most reflect a broader cultural shift. Factors such as:
- Growing Viewership: Women’s sporting events are seeing record-breaking viewership numbers.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Brands are recognizing the value of investing in female athletes.
- Media Coverage: Greater visibility through major networks and streaming services has fueled interest.
As leagues continue to grow, opportunities for female athletes to earn top salaries will expand even further.
Will the WNBA Be Higher in the List Next Year
While the WNBA hasn’t yet reached the financial heights of tennis or soccer, it is making significant progress. The rising salaries, international leagues, and endorsement opportunities for stars like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart signals a bright future.
With initiatives like the Unrivaled League providing new high-paying opportunities, the WNBA is well on its way to becoming one of the women’s sports that will pay the most. To understand the current challenges, explore why do WNBA players make less than NBA players for a detailed analysis of pay disparities in basketball.
The Future Looks Promising for WNBA Salaries
In 2025, women’s sports that will pay the most include tennis, soccer, golf, MMA, and cricket, with basketball rapidly rising in the rankings. These sports demonstrate that female athletes can achieve financial parity and global recognition with increased investment, visibility, and sponsorships.
While tennis continues to lead the way, the future looks promising for women’s basketball, soccer, and other sports. With players like A’ja Wilson securing historic deals and leagues like the WPL and NWSL expanding, the financial growth of women’s sports shows no signs of slowing down.
As fans, brands, and investors continue to support women’s athletics, we can expect even greater achievements—on and off the field—in the years to come.