How Badminton Players Earn Money
Badminton, often regarded as a backyard sport, has evolved into a highly competitive and lucrative profession for many athletes worldwide. In recent years, professional badminton has seen a surge in popularity, attracting a global audience and offering substantial earning opportunities for talented players. From prize money in tournaments to sponsorships and endorsements, let’s delve into the various avenues through which badminton players earn their living.
- Tournament Prize Money:
One of the primary sources of income for professional badminton players is tournament prize money. Across the globe, numerous tournaments are organized by international bodies like the Badminton World Federation (BWF), national associations, and private organizations. These tournaments offer substantial prize pools, with winnings varying 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. Additionally, players also earn money based on their performance in smaller regional and national tournaments.
- Sponsorships and Endorsements:
Sponsorships and endorsements play a crucial role in the financial stability of badminton players. Companies, ranging from sportswear brands to equipment manufacturers and lifestyle companies, often partner with top players to promote their products and services. These sponsorship deals can be lucrative and provide players with a steady stream of income beyond tournament winnings. Endorsements may include agreements to wear specific clothing and gear during matches, promote products on social media, or make appearances at corporate events and promotional campaigns.
- Appearance Fees and Exhibition Matches:
Top badminton players are in high demand for exhibition matches, charity events, and promotional appearances. Organizers often pay appearance fees to attract popular players to their events, leveraging their star power to draw larger crowds and media attention. Additionally, exhibition matches against fellow professionals or celebrities can be lucrative opportunities for players to showcase their skills and entertain fans while earning a substantial fee.
- Coaching and Academies:
Retired or seasoned players often transition into coaching roles, leveraging their expertise and experience to train the next generation of badminton talents. Establishing badminton academies or coaching individual students can be a profitable venture for former players, allowing them to pass on their knowledge while earning a steady income. Coaching fees, combined with revenue from academy memberships and camps, contribute to the overall earnings of retired players.
- Media Appearances and Broadcasting:
Successful badminton players frequently appear in media interviews, television shows, and documentaries, further enhancing 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 opportunities. Furthermore, players may receive royalties or appearance fees for licensing their image and footage for use in various media projects.
- Personal Branding and Merchandise:
Building a strong personal brand is essential for badminton players seeking to maximize their earning potential. Players often engage with fans through social media platforms, creating content, and sharing insights into their training routines, lifestyle, and personal interests. A robust online presence can attract sponsorship opportunities, increase fan engagement, and pave the way for merchandise sales. Players may collaborate with companies to develop branded merchandise such as apparel, equipment, and accessories, generating additional revenue streams.
Earning Potential for Badminton Players
For professional badminton players, earnings vary significantly depending on their ranking and performance. Players ranked #51–100 typically earn an average prize money of around $2,053 annually. This bracket often requires players to supplement their income through part-time jobs, side hustles, and league contracts, which can amount to an additional $5,600 to $28,000 per year.
Moving up to ranks #33–50, the average prize money increases to $8,159 annually. However, players in this bracket still face financial insecurity, as illustrated by examples like Greg Mairs and Jenny Moore, who earned just $3,000 each in prize money in 2022. Supplemental income from part-time jobs, sponsorships, and league contracts can push their total earnings to approximately $12,900 to $43,800 annually.
Players within the Top 32 but outside the Top 10 earn an average prize money of $25,275 annually. With less need for part-time jobs, these players rely more on league contracts and sponsorships, which can contribute an additional $34,000 to $152,000 annually. The earnings in this bracket fluctuate greatly, with some players securing substantial deals like Lee Cheuk Yiu’s $61,000 from a three-week stint in India’s PBL.
Finally, the Top 10 players, considered the best of the best, enjoy the highest earnings potential. Prize money alone can reach six to seven figures, especially for dominant players like Viktor Axelsen and P.V. Sindhu, who consistently earn over $5 million annually through prize money, sponsorships, and club deals. Overall, earnings in professional badminton reflect the player’s ranking, performance, marketability, and ability to secure lucrative opportunities beyond tournament winnings.
Comparing Badminton’s Earning Potential to Other Sports
the comparison doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Consider this striking example: Finishing in the top 32 of badminton’s prestigious All England Open, often dubbed “The Wimbledon of Badminton,” earns a mere $1,200. In contrast, reaching the final 32 in tennis’s Wimbledon tournament nets a hefty $147,600—more than double the prize money for winning the All England. Surprisingly, $147,600 would
place you among the top ten earners in badminton for 2022.
However, it’s important to note that tennis main draws often accommodate up to 128 players, making reaching the final 32 a more substantial achievement.
Despite these disparities, there’s a glimmer of hope. Badminton’s earning potential has seen an upward trend in recent years. Credit goes to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which increased prize money across all World Tour events in 2023. At the top end, the BWF World Tour Finals now boast a total purse of $2 million, while even lower-tier Super 100 events offer a combined purse of $120,000. While it may not rival tennis earnings, it’s certainly a step in the right direction.