WTA: Naomi Osaka is the first top athlete to found her own agency
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka starts her own marketing agency after her relationship with IMG ended.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit: May 12, 2022, 09:21 pm
IMG is history - Naomi Osaka let the contract with the world-famous and renowned agency expire at the end of last year and now wants to start her own agency called EVOLVE. The former world number one is the first woman in the history of the sport to take complete control of her business ventures and set up her own marketing company.
"I've done everything my way throughout my career, even when people have told me it's not what is expected of me or what would be done traditionally," the Japanese told sports news outlet Sportico. "EVOLVE is the logical next step in my journey, both as an athlete and as a businesswoman. Plus, EVOLVE allows me to continue to be myself and do things my way."
53.2 million profit last year
The Asian is supported by Stuart Duguid, who previously also earned his living at IMG. "I am very much looking forward to starting this venture with my business partner Stuart. Our plan is to approach it with the same authentic approach that I have taken to my businesses from a strategic point of view. I am fully convinced that that top athletes will use our platform to meaningfully advance their businesses."
According to Sportico's most recent 2022 list, Osaka ranks as the 20th highest-paid athlete in the world. The four-time Grand Slam champion has earned more than $52 million through her ventures in the past fiscal year. For comparison, the 24-year-old only earned 1.2 million in prize money in 2021.