Track and field stars often find that endorsements put more money in their pockets than their Olympic performances. It’s easy to assume that athletes like Sydney McLaughlin and Gabby Thomas, who clinched gold, would cash in big time. While they did earn a decent amount, it might not be as substantial as one might think. Imagine the irony of an athlete who competed in just two races in Paris earning more than the one who competed in three events. It’s a classic case of the devil in the details, and it certainly makes you wonder how such a discrepancy would shape their view of their achievements. But why was it like this?

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Gabby Thomas shone brightly by winning three gold medals. She took first place in the women’s 200-meter sprint and played key roles in Team USA’s victories in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. In the 4x100m relay, Thomas played an important role, in the race contributing to the team’s victory with a time of 41.78 seconds. Additionally, she made an impact in the 4x400m relay event guiding Team USA to another gold medal with a time of 3;15.27 securing victory by a margin of four seconds, over the second-place team. As a result, she achieved a total of three gold medals.

While, Sydney McLaughlin competed in only two events, the 400-meter hurdles, where she not only defended her title but also set a new world record with a time of 50.37 seconds. This win made her the first woman to win consecutive Olympic golds in this event since it was introduced in 1984. And in the relay team 4*400m she ended the race on the second leg with a split of 47.70s.

Despite Gabby Thomas winning three gold medals, McLaughlin’s two, historic achievements earned her a higher prize, showing the surprising complexities in how Olympic rewards are given. But how much did she earn?

Well, Gabby Thomas earned a total of $137,500 from her Olympic success and additional rewards. She received $50,000 from World Athletics for her gold medal in Paris and $37,500 from Team USA. On top of that, Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, through their YouTube podcast, each pledged $25,000 to gold medalists, Plus a gift of $25,000 too. As they said in the podcast, “Gabby, us at nightcap want to say how proud we are of you. I know our fans are very, very proud of you. So because of your huge, big win, Ochoa and I will be gifting you $25,000.”

Sydney McLaughlin successfully retained her championship in the 400-meter hurdles while also breaking a world record. Her achievements earned her a total of $160,000 from World Athletics comprising rewards, for her victory, in the event setting a world record, and contributing to her relay team triumph.

That means Sydney McLaughlin earned $22,500 more than Gabby Thomas. But what about after the Paris Olympics? Can they continue to boost their earnings further? Well, seems so! But how?

Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s financial windfall

Gabby Thomas is at the pinnacle of her career, making waves both on and off the track. Not only is she excelling in her sport, but she’s also shaping its future in meaningful ways. In partnership with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Thomas has launched the 776 Invitational, a groundbreaking women’s track and field event set for September. This competition offers a prize structure that’s shaking up the sport: $60,000 for the champion, $25,000 for second place, $10,000 for third, $8,000 for fourth, $5,000 for fifth, and $2,500 for sixth. This rewards system stands in stark contrast to the Diamond League, the top-tier track and field series, which typically awards $10,000 to race winners and up to $30,000 at its season finale.

Since joining New Balance in 2018 after graduating from Harvard with a degree in neurobiology, Thomas has been on a rapid upward trajectory. She moved to Austin and recently completed her master’s degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas. But her impact goes beyond academics and athletics. With over 500,000 Instagram followers, Thomas is leveraging her growing social media presence to promote brands like Summer Fridays skincare and Omega watches, enhancing both her public profile and her income.

Meanwhile, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is poised to significantly boost her earnings as well. She’s set to become the face of the Michael Johnson Grand Slam Track (GST) league, where she’ll not only compete but also serve as a brand ambassador, promoting GST’s fan-centric events. The league is gearing up for four major competitions starting in April 2025, with prize money ranging from $100,000 for the top spot to $10,000 for eighth place. McLaughlin-Levrone’s exclusive deal with GST includes a fixed salary, plus opportunities to earn more through sponsorships and licensing agreements.

These developments highlight the expanding opportunities in track and field. With Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, at 25, boasting a net worth of around $2 million, and Gabby Thomas, at 27, estimated to be worth between $1 million and $5 million, the future looks bright for both athletes. But with her growing influence and entrepreneurial spirit, could Gabby Thomas be on the brink of substantially boosting her income in the years to come?