It’s going to be the Olympics to remember for Coco Gauff and LeBron James. This is the first time 20-year-old Gauff participated in the Olympics and what an honor it is to become the youngest flag bearer of her country. On the other hand, this will be the fourth appearance at the mega events for the NBA legend. Not only that, ‘King James‘ has also become the first self-made billionaire to feature at the Games. What better occasion than this? Gauff’s father has a word or two to say, though!

Recently, a page named ‘basketnews‘ posted a picture of James on Instagram claiming, “LeBron James becomes the first self-made billionaire to compete in Olympics.” After seeing this post, Coco’s father, Corey, came up with a comment and reminded the fans, “Not true Jess Pegula Tokyo.” You must be wondering, why Gauff’s father name Jessica Pegula?

Well, for those who are unaware, Pegula has a net of around $12 Million as of 2024. And her father, Terry, is currently the 128th richest person in the US, with a net worth of around $5-7 billion. But does that make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics participant Jessica a “first self-made billionaire“? Well, fans doubt!

Pegula earned a little more than $5 Million in tournament prizes last year. Apart from her on-court earnings, she also owns a restaurant with her sister which is named ‘Healthy Scratch‘. Not only that, Pegula also introduced her skincare line called ‘Ready 24‘ in 2017. As per various sources, she has earned almost $4 Million from her endorsements so far. Even another American tennis star, Emma Navarro, has been in the news not just only because of her tennis but being the daughter of famous businessman Ben.

According to various reports, James became a billionaire in June 2022, having a net worth of $1 Billion. Per Forbes, he is, in fact, the first active NBA player to become a billionaire. James also became the highest-paid NBA player in the history of the sport in that same year. His current net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 Billion, including his next year’s salary.

Previously speaking about reaching the heights of this off-court achievement, he had stated, “It’s my biggest milestone. Obviously. I want to maximize my business. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip hooray! Oh, my God, I’m gonna be excited.“

His partnerships with Nike and deals with brands like PepsiCo, Walmart, Kia, and AT&T have made him one of the highest earners in the sporting world. He is, in fact, one of the most successful sports persons in the history of US sports. According to multiple reports, he has commanded more than $385 Million in salary from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. In his off-court endorsements and other business ventures it’s believed that he has earned almost $900 Million in total. Well, where does Gauff stand in terms of earnings and net worth?

Did you know Gauff was once featured in the list of Highest-Paid Female Athletes?

A new era dawned on the world of women’s sports in 2023. With the legendary Serena Williams retired and Naomi Osaka stepping away from the spotlight, a vacancy emerged at the pinnacle of female athletes’ earnings. Into this void stepped Iga Świątek, a 22-year-old tennis phenom from Poland. Her meteoric rise, coupled with impressive on-court performances, propelled her to the top of the financial rankings, capturing a staggering $23.9 million in 2023, per Forbes.

As many would know, 2023 was the year when Gauff swiftly became a global sensation. Her on-court prowess, coupled with her magnetic personality, has made her a sought-after figure in the world of advertising. Already a rising star in the marketing realm, with partnerships with Baker Tilly, Bose, and UPS, a Grand Slam victory at the US Open could catapult her to new heights as a pitchwoman. Her youthful energy and connection with a younger audience, further amplified by her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, make her an irresistible proposition for brands seeking to connect with the next generation.

As her tennis career continues to soar, so too does her net worth. She stood at #3 on that list, raking $21.7 million. The 20-year-old American tennis star earned almost $15 Million from her endorsements. Gauff has so far won $15,122,767 in the prize money. If we look at her age, we can surely conclude that it’s just about time that she may well share this stage too with ‘King James‘ in the near future!