Andrew Pace
Badminton may be the third most-played sport in the world, but it is not as lucrative as other sports. While the top players can earn millions, this is only true for those in the top 10 or top 32 in the world. For example, in 2022, Viktor Axelsen earned $400k, four times the amount of the next highest-earning men's singles player, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, who earned $100k. The earnings of badminton players depend on a variety of factors, including their ranking, performance, reputation, and following, both as a player and on social media.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournament prize money | Winnings vary depending on the event's prestige and level. |
| Major tournaments such as the All England Open, BWF World Championships, and Olympic Games offer significant prize money, often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars for top finishers. | |
| Lower-ranked players may receive as little as $2,053 in annual prize money, requiring them to supplement their income with part-time jobs or other sources. | |
| Sponsorships and endorsements | Companies ranging from sportswear brands to equipment manufacturers and lifestyle companies partner with top players to promote their products and services. |
| PV Sindhu, one of the highest-paid female athletes, earned $5 million from sponsorships alone in 2019. | |
| The maximum estimated annual income from sponsorships is $6 million, while the minimum is $30,000 for players in the top 10 globally. | |
| Player ranking and earnings | The earnings of badminton players vary significantly depending on their ranking and performance. |
| Singles players ranked between 5-10 in the world earned an average of $66,194 in 2022, while those ranked 1-4 earned an average of $149,375. | |
| Doubles players ranked 5-10 earned an average of $30,810, while those ranked 1-4 earned $70,384. | |
| Appearance fees | Top badminton players are in high demand for exhibition matches, charity events, and promotional appearances, for which they are often paid appearance fees. |
| Media and brand opportunities | Successful badminton players may earn additional income through media interviews, television appearances, and building their personal brands on social media. |
| National variations | The earnings of badminton players can vary based on their country. For example, Indonesian players may receive payments from the government in addition to sponsorships. |
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Prize money
The amount of prize money fluctuates, especially with players dominating the field and out-earning their rivals. In 2022, Viktor Axelsen earned four times more than the next highest-earning men's singles player, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting ($400k vs $100k). When players are among the favourites in big-money events, they can earn six-figure sums from prize money alone, potentially entering seven-figure territory with sponsorships and club deals.
Players ranked #51–100 typically earn an average prize money of around $2,053 annually. Moving up to ranks #33–50, the average prize money increases to $8,159 annually. Players ranked between #5–10 in the world earned an average of $66,194 in 2022, which more than doubled to $149,375 for players ranked between #1–4. There is a significant difference between singles and doubles players. In 2022, the average earnings for doubles players ranked #5–10 were $30,810, while those ranked #1–4 earned $70,384.
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Sponsorships
Badminton players with a large following, such as PV Sindhu, who had 3.5 million Instagram followers, can charge substantial fees for sponsored social media posts. Sindhu, for example, could charge over $10,000 per post, contributing to her total earnings of $5 million from sponsorships alone, according to Forbes. This highlights the importance of building a strong personal brand and engaging with fans through social media, content creation, and sharing insights into their lives.
Players with a significant online presence attract sponsorship opportunities and increase their earning potential. Endorsement deals may include promoting products on social media, wearing specific clothing or gear during matches, and making appearances at corporate events or promotional campaigns. For instance, Lee Chong Wei's contract with Yonex and sponsorship by the sports drink company 100 Plus contributed to his net worth.
Badminton players can also collaborate with companies to develop branded merchandise, such as apparel, equipment, and accessories, further increasing their revenue streams. However, sponsorships are not always easy to come by, and players outside the top rankings may need to supplement their income with part-time jobs, side hustles, and league contracts.
Additionally, some badminton associations, like PBSI, help players secure sponsorship opportunities as a primary source of income alongside prize money. While sponsorships can provide financial stability, players should also consider expenses, taxes, and living costs, which can vary depending on their location and lifestyle.
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Player rankings
A badminton player's earnings depend on several factors, including their ranking, event, funding situation, and marketability. While badminton is the third most-played sport in the world, it lags behind other sports in terms of financial remuneration. The sport is highly nationalized, with players representing their countries rather than competing as individuals. As a result, the financial benefits vary depending on the player's national federation. Wealthier federations, such as Indonesia and China, can provide more financial support, while players from less endowed federations may struggle financially due to the high expenses associated with the sport.
Players outside the top 50 rankings may receive limited funding from their national associations, and their earnings are primarily from prize money, which can be as low as a few thousand dollars per year. Those ranked between 33 and 50 may receive an average prize money of around $8,000, while those ranked 51-100 may earn an average of $2,000 per year. These players often rely on part-time jobs, side hustles, and sponsorships to supplement their income, which can bring in up to $20,000 annually.
As players climb up the rankings, they attract more funding from their national associations and may even receive a yearly salary. The average earnings for singles players ranked 5-10 in the world were $66,194 in 2022, while those ranked 1-4 earned an average of $149,375. There is a significant difference between singles and doubles earnings, with doubles players earning less. For example, doubles players ranked 5-10 earned an average of $30,810, while those ranked 1-4 earned $70,384.
At the very top of the sport, players can earn six-figure sums from prize money alone and even enter seven-figure territory with sponsorships and club deals. PV Sindhu, one of the highest-paid female athletes, consistently earns over $5 million annually, with a significant portion coming from sponsorships. Similarly, Viktor Axelsen earned four times more than the next highest-earning men's singles player, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, in 2022 ($400,000 vs. $100,000). These top players also benefit from endorsements and creating their own brands, further boosting their earnings.
While badminton may not offer the same financial incentives as other sports, the potential for earnings increases significantly as players improve their rankings and gain more exposure.
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Player endorsements
Endorsements and sponsorships are a crucial source of income for badminton players, especially as the sport lags behind others in terms of prize money. Companies ranging from sportswear brands to equipment manufacturers and lifestyle companies offer lucrative deals to top players to promote their products and services. A strong personal brand and a robust online presence can attract these sponsorship opportunities, and players with a large following can earn millions through endorsements.
Players with a substantial social media presence can earn significant sums from promotional posts on their accounts. For example, with 3.5 million Instagram followers, P.V. Sindhu could charge over $10,000 per post, contributing to her annual earnings of over $5 million from sponsorships alone. This placed her on the Forbes list of the highest-paid female athletes. Similarly, Lee Chong Wei's net worth of $35 million included substantial earnings from his sponsorship deal with sports drink company 100 Plus.
Endorsement deals may also include agreements to wear specific clothing and gear during matches, promote products on social media, or make appearances at corporate events and promotional campaigns. For instance, Viktor Axelsen's earnings include his own brand, 'VA Health', which not only provides income but also helps him focus on other interests outside of badminton.
While badminton is the third most-played sport globally, it is not as popular as it should be, and this affects the earning potential of players. The sport has fewer spectators and lower spending power compared to other sports, resulting in less prize money and sponsorship opportunities. As a result, badminton players need to be extremely successful to earn a decent living, and many rely on multiple sources of income, including part-time jobs and league contracts.
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Player appearances
Retired or seasoned badminton players often leverage their expertise and transition into coaching roles, establishing badminton academies, or offering individual coaching services. Coaching fees, combined with revenue from academy memberships and camps, contribute to the overall earnings of retired players, ensuring a steady income even after their playing careers.
Media interviews, television shows, and documentaries are also common avenues for successful badminton players to enhance their public profile and earning potential. Television networks and streaming platforms often feature badminton stars in special programs, documentaries, and guest appearances, providing additional income streams. Players may receive royalties or appearance fees for licensing their image and footage for use in various media projects.
Building a strong personal brand is crucial for badminton players aiming to maximise their earnings. Engaging with fans through social media, creating content, and sharing insights into their lives can attract sponsorship opportunities, increase fan engagement, and pave the way for merchandise sales. A robust online presence can also lead to collaborations with companies to develop branded merchandise, generating additional revenue streams beyond traditional sources.
While badminton may not offer the same financial incentives as other sports, players can still achieve financial success through a combination of prize money, sponsorships, appearances, and strategic personal branding. However, it is important to note that the income from these activities may vary depending on the player's ranking, reputation, and following.
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Frequently asked questions
Top badminton players can make millions per year. For example, Lee Chong Wei was estimated to be worth 35 million USD, which suggests he was making around 2 million USD per year during his playing career. Lin Dan signed a 10-year contract for 14.2 million USD in 2015.
Lower-ranked badminton players can struggle financially and may need to supplement their income with part-time jobs, sponsorships, or league contracts. Players ranked #51-100 typically earn an average prize money of around $2,053 per year. Moving up to ranks #33-50, the average prize money increases to $8,159 per year.
Players' earnings depend on their ranking, performance, reputation, and following. Prize money is usually higher for major tournaments such as the All England Open, BWF World Championships, and Olympic Games. Sponsorships and endorsements also play a crucial role in players' income, with companies partnering with top players to promote their products and services.
Badminton players can earn money through sponsorships, endorsements, appearance fees, and merchandise sales. They can also generate income by establishing badminton academies or coaching individual students after their playing careers.
