Aryna Sabalenka Named World's Most Commercially Viable Athlete for 2026
Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has been named the world's most commercially viable athlete for 2026 by SportsPro. Earning an estimated 30 million dollars in 2025, the Belarusian champion leads a list featuring elite global sports figures.
World tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has claimed the top spot in SportsPro's annual ranking for 2026, being named the athlete with the highest commercial potential in the world. The 28-year-old Belarusian secured the leading position in the 17th edition of the list, which highlights the 50 most marketable sports figures for brands and sponsors globally.
Sabalenka, who boasts four Grand Slam titles and closed out 2025 as the world number one in women's singles for the second consecutive year, surpassed major sports stars across various disciplines. Olympic skiing champion Eileen Gu ranked second, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo took third, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland placed fourth, and Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz rounded out the top five.
The Belarusian player is only the fourth woman and the third tennis star to claim the number one spot since the ranking's inception in 2010. She follows in the footsteps of Genie Bouchard in 2015 and Naomi Osaka in 2019, while gymnast Simone Biles led the list in 2021 and 2024.
Commercial Success and Global Partnerships
According to Forbes estimates, Sabalenka generated approximately $30 million during 2025, split nearly evenly between tournament prize money and off-court endorsements. Over recent years, she has transformed into one of the most sought-after figures in advertising, securing major partnership deals with international brands including Nike, Wilson, Gucci, Emirates, Audemars Piguet, Whoop, and Stella Artois.
The SportsPro ranking, conducted in partnership with NorthStar Solutions Group, evaluates candidates on a 100-point scale across three key metrics: personal brand strength, commercial momentum, and business growth potential. The evaluation assessed 1,202 athletes from 70 sports, with 247 undergoing a full review based on data collected between July 2025 and June 2026 across more than 3,000 sponsorship agreements. Sabalenka was the only athlete to score above 80 points.
Authenticity and Market Impact
"An athlete's commercial value reflects the strength of their brand, the momentum behind them, and the opportunities to translate these into business value," explained Chris Collins, founder and CEO of NorthStar Solutions Group. "The goal is to help brands, athletes, and their representatives make more informed decisions regarding partnerships."
Alongside her athletic triumphs, Sabalenka has established a prominent off-court presence, boasting millions of social media followers, appearances on magazine covers like Vogue and Time, and active involvement in fashion and entertainment. The ranking features 16 women this year, down from 20 last year, with basketball leading as the most represented sport with 13 athletes, followed by football with 11 and tennis with eight.
