Amanda Knapp
While badminton may not be the most lucrative sport, the top players can earn a commendable fortune, ranking among the richest athletes in the world. Earnings come from a variety of sources, including prize money, government funding, and endorsement deals. So, who are the richest badminton players in the world?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Richest badminton player in the world | Lin Dan |
| Lin Dan's net worth | USD 26 million |
| Lin Dan's nationality | Chinese |
| Other richest badminton players | Lee Chong Wei, Chen Long, Taufik Hidayat, Saina Nehwal, Viktor Axelsen, An Se Young, Tai Tzu Ying, Akane Yamaguchi, Pusarla V Sindhu |
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What You'll Learn
- Lin Dan: China's 'Super Dan' is the richest player with a net worth of $26 million
- Lee Chong Wei: Malaysian legend with a net worth of $16 million
- Chen Long: Chinese player with a net worth of $8 million
- Taufik 'Mr Backhand' Hidayat: Indonesian with a net worth of $8 million
- Saina Nehwal: Indian player with $300,000 annual income from endorsements
Lin Dan: China's 'Super Dan' is the richest player with a net worth of $26 million
Lin Dan, nicknamed "Super Dan" by Peter Gade, is a former Chinese badminton player and the sport's richest athlete, with a net worth of $26 million as of 2023. He is widely considered the greatest badminton player of all time, holding numerous records, including the Super Grand Slam—a feat achieved by winning all nine major titles in badminton. These include an Olympic gold medal, the BWF World Championships, the Badminton World Cup, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, BWF Super Series Masters Finals, All England Open, Asian Games, and the Asian Championships. Dan is the only player to have achieved this, and he also became the first men's singles player to win consecutive Olympic gold medals, defending his title in 2008 and again in 2012.
Dan's success on the badminton court has translated into widespread media attention and endorsement deals, contributing to his wealth. In 2015, he launched his own underwear brand, "Intimate by LIN DAN", further boosting his income.
Dan's impressive career has earned him worldwide recognition, and he was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame on May 26, 2023. His achievements have solidified his legacy in the sport, making him not just the richest but also one of the most celebrated badminton players globally.
While Lin Dan tops the list of richest badminton players, other notable mentions include Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, with an estimated net worth of USD 16 million, and Chen Long, with a net worth of around USD 8 million. These athletes have had illustrious careers, winning multiple medals and championships, solidifying their place among the richest and most accomplished badminton players in the world.
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Lee Chong Wei: Malaysian legend with a net worth of $16 million
Arguably the most prominent Malaysian athlete of all time, Lee Chong Wei is a legend in the badminton fraternity. Wei, who was born in October 1982 in Bagan Serai, Perak, Malaysia, was ranked #1 as a singles player for 199 consecutive weeks between August 2008 and June 2012. He was the fourth Malaysian player to achieve that ranking and the only one to hold it for more than a year.
Wei's career has been filled with ups and downs, including a controversial doping scandal. However, one cannot overlook the Malaysian shuttler’s illustrious career, which includes three silver medals at the Olympic Games and five gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. He has also won gold medals at the Asian Championships in 2006, 2016, and 2017, and the Southeast Asian Games in 2005. In addition, he has won silver medals at the 2011, 2013, and 2015 World Championships and a bronze at the 2005 World Championships.
Wei earned the title Datuk and was described as a national hero by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. He was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame on May 2, 2023, and according to a report by Celebrity Net Worth, has an estimated net worth of USD 16 million.
While badminton may not be as lucrative as sports like football, tennis, or Formula 1, the top players in the sport can still earn a commendable fortune and rank among the richest athletes in the world. Their success on the court translates to widespread media attention and endorsement deals from major multinational corporations, which can provide substantial monetary benefits even after retirement.
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Chen Long: Chinese player with a net worth of $8 million
Chen Long is a retired Chinese badminton player with a net worth of around $8 million as of 2023, making him one of the richest badminton players in the world. Long is considered one of the greatest badminton players of the 21st century and has won almost every major tournament there is, including a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, two gold medals at the Asian Games in 2010 and 2018, and the World Championships in 2014 and 2015. He was also the first singles player to help China lift its fifth consecutive trophy in the 2013 Sudirman Cup edition.
Born in Shashi City, Hubei Province, in 1989, Chen Long entered the Sports School in Jingzhou at the age of seven in 1996. He started his winning streak in the international arena by clinching the boys' singles title in the Asian and World Junior Championships in 2007, followed by his first professional tournament victory in the Philippines Open in 2009. Chen Long became a former world number one, holding the top position for 76 consecutive weeks from December 2014 to July 2016. He is known for his endurance, ability to dictate rallies, and resolute defence, earning him the nickname "The Great Wall of China" from his fans.
Chen Long's success in the badminton court has brought him widespread media attention and endorsement deals, contributing to his overall wealth. His earnings from prize money alone amount to a significant sum, with an estimated total of $1,350,557.50 USD in prize money, according to the BWF website. However, it is important to note that a player's earnings from prize money may differ from their net worth, which can include other sources of income such as endorsements and investments.
Chen Long's impressive career and achievements have solidified his place among the greatest badminton players in history. His skill, endurance, and tactical gameplay have earned him worldwide recognition and a substantial fortune, even after his retirement from the sport in 2021.
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Taufik 'Mr Backhand' Hidayat: Indonesian with a net worth of $8 million
While there is conflicting information on the richest badminton player in the world, Taufik "Mr Backhand" Hidayat is a strong contender, with a net worth of around $8 million. Born on 10 August 1981 in Indonesia, Hidayat is a retired badminton player and the current Deputy Minister for Youth and Sport of Indonesia. Known for his powerful backhand and forehand, he is considered one of the greatest badminton players in history, particularly in men's singles badminton.
Hidayat's success began at a young age. At just 15 years old, he won the boys' singles event, defeating his future rival, Chen Hong. At 17, he won the Brunei Open and reached the semifinals of the 1998 Asian Championships and the Indonesia Open. In 1999, he won his first Indonesian Open title, and in 2000, at just 19 years old, he achieved the world number one ranking by winning the Malaysia Open, Asian Championships, and Indonesia Open.
Hidayat's success continued, and in 2004, he earned his first Olympic gold medal. He went on to win the World Championships in 2005, defeating world number one Lin Dan of China. With this title, he became the first men's singles player to hold the Olympic and World Championships titles in consecutive years. In total, he has won three Asian Championships titles (2000, 2004, and 2007), three gold medals at the Asian Games (1998 in the men's team event and 2002 and 2006 in singles events), and six Indonesian Open titles.
Taufik Hidayat's net worth of $8 million is a testament to his success and impact on the sport of badminton. His impressive career has earned him a place among the richest and most successful badminton players in the world.
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Saina Nehwal: Indian player with $300,000 annual income from endorsements
While male badminton players like Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Chen Long, and Taufik 'Mr. Backhand' Hidayat are often cited as the richest in the world, India's Saina Nehwal is also among the wealthiest badminton players globally. Nehwal's estimated yearly salary is $300,000, and her net worth is estimated at $3 million. Nehwal is the second-highest-paid sportswoman in India, and her wealth has increased dramatically since her bronze medal win at the 2012 London Olympics. She is also the first Indian shuttler after Sir Prakash Padukone to claim the number one spot in the world badminton rankings.
Nehwal's success on the badminton court has translated into numerous endorsement deals with major multinational corporations. In 2012, she signed a deal worth Rs. 40 Crore with Rhiti Sports Company. She has endorsed or served as a brand ambassador for a variety of companies, including:
- Herbalife
- Top Ramen
- Sahara India Parivar
- Edelweiss
- Vaseline
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Iodex
- Huawei's smartphone e-brand, Honor
- Kellogg's
- Savlon
- Emami Fast Relief
- Commune Builder
- Star Sports
Nehwal's success and endorsements have allowed her to purchase a luxury home in Hyderabad, estimated to be worth around Rs. 4.6 Crore, as well as several luxury cars, including a Mini Cooper, a Mercedes Benz, and a BMW.
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Frequently asked questions
Lin Dan is the richest badminton player in the world with a net worth of USD 26 million.
Lin Dan's fortune comes from a variety of sources. He has won the World Championships, an Olympic gold medal, and several other major titles. He also has endorsement deals with major multinational corporations, such as his famous underwear brand "Intimate by LIN DAN".
Other top-earning badminton players include Chen Long (USD 8 million), Lee Chong Wei (USD 16 million), and Taufik Hidayat (net worth unknown). Axelsen, An Se Young, and Saina Nehwal are also among the richest badminton players in the world.
International tournaments such as the World Tours pay about USD 150,000 to the winner. Smaller tournaments like Malaysia's Purple League follow a pay-per-match format, with players earning between USD 2,000 and USD 2,500 per match.
Badminton players with significant fame in their home countries may become brand ambassadors and earn large sums from featuring in advertisements. They may also create their own brands, such as Lin Dan's underwear brand.
