Heading into the 2022 World Athletics Championships this summer in Oregon, Puma has signed Elaine Thompson-Harah, the only woman in history to win the sprint double at consecutive Olympics, to an endorsement contract.
In addition to her repeat achievement of capturing gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter events. Thompson-Harah ran the 100-meter sprint last year in 10.54 seconds, earning her the title of “fastest woman alive.”
With Thompson-Harah on its roster, Puma can now claim to have the support of both the fastest woman and the fastest man alive. Jamaican world-record holder Usain Bolt has been on Puma’s endorsement roster since 2003.
“Puma just felt like the right fit, a company that has been working with the World’s Fastest Man for decades,” said Thompson-Herah in a statement. “I’m excited to be part of such an elite group and can’t wait to get started. I think there’s still a lot I can unleash.”
The past year has seen a significant rise in sports endorsements from women. According to Forbes, the world’s 10 highest paid athletes earned a combined $167 million in 2021, up 23% from 2020. That number comes with a caveat, however. Tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, the top two earners, account for nearly all of the increase.
At the college level, endorsements of female athletes also grew significantly after the NCAA announced it would allow “name, image, likeness” deals for its athletes. In addition to traditional deals with companies makig sportswear and nutritional supplements, some female athletes are landing lucrative modeling contracts as well.
