The LPGA Tour is Gaining Momentum
An analysis of the LPGA Tour versus other women's leagues.
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Hey Golfers -
Earlier this month, the LPGA tour announced their 2022 schedule. The announcement included a record-breaking $86 million in total purse money for the 2022 season, significant news.
Here is a quick rundown of the upcoming season:
$85.7 million in total purse money
34 official events
Nine tournaments increased purse money
CME Tour Championship purse increased to $7 million
19 events have a purse of $2 million or higher
Interestingly, the $86 million total purse money will likely increase. The U.S. Women’s Open is negotiating with sponsors. The U.S. Women’s Open will probably end up with the highest purse in women’s golf. If this is the case, it will bring the total purse up by ~$1.5 million.
Curiously, I dug around to see how the LPGA Tour stacked up against other women’s leagues across the globe.
Let’s take a look at the below leagues:
LPGA Tour
Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
LPGA Tour
The LPGA Tour is the oldest continuing women’s professional sports league in the United States. Founded in 1950 by the thirteen original LPGA players. The LPGA Tour was succeeded by the Women’s Professional Golf Association, which was founded in 1944.
The most recent LPGA Tour 990 filing with the IRS in 2019 stated revenues of $132 million, a 4% increase over the prior year.
Key facts about the LPGA Tour:
Founded - 1950
Season purse money - $85.7 million
Number of events - 34
Breaking down LPGA Tour player data:
15 players made over $1 million in 2021
71 players made over $250,000 in 2021
Median player earnings in 2021 - $142,461
Average player earnings in 2021 - $327,078
188 players cashed checks in 2021
Record season money winner - $4,364,994 (Lorena Ochoa 2007)
Career money leader- $22,577,025 (Annika Sorenstam)
The LPGA Tour has doubled total prize money in the last decade. Here is the crazy thing, total prize money dipped 33% from 2008 to 2011. The below chart is in millions.
WTA
The Women’s Tennis Association was founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, and she was one of nine original members. The WTA is massive; they have nearly 1,700 members.
The most recent WTA Tour 990 filing with the IRS in 2019 stated revenues of $109 million, a 7% increase over the prior year.
Key facts about the WTA:
Founded - 1973
Season prize money - $180 million
Number of events - 72
Breaking down WTA player data:
31 players made over $1 million in 2021
151 players made over $250,000 in 2021
Median player earnings in 2021 - $1,077
Average player earnings in 2021 - $73,800
2,439 players cashed checks in 2021
Record season money winner - $12,385,572 (Serena Williams 2013)
Career money leader - $94,518,917 (Serena Williams)
Since 2008, the WTA has increased total prize money by over $100 million. Offering the largest total prize money in women’s sports. The below chart is in millions.
WNBA
The WNBA was founded in 1996 with eight teams. The WNBA has increased the league size to twelve teams around the United States. The season runs from May to September with 36 regular-season games. With twelve players on a roster, there are 144 players in the league at a given time.
Key facts about the WNBA:
Founded - 1996
Season total salary cap - $16 million
Number of games - 36
Breaking down WNBA player data:
League minimum earnings - $58,710
League maximum earnings - $221,450
Average player earnings - $130,000
Record season player earnings - $221,450 (7 players 2021)
The WNBA recently signed a new collective bargaining agreement until 2027, where it will see an overall league salary cap of $19 million. The below chart is in millions.
NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League was founded in 2012. There were two women’s soccer leagues before the NWSL. Women’s Professional Soccer from 2007-2012 and Women’s United Soccer Association from 2001 - 2003. The season runs from April to November, with ten teams having between 20 - 22 players per team.
Key facts about the NWSL:
Founded - 2012
Season total salary cap - $6.8 million
Number of games - 24
Breaking down NWSL player data:
League minimum earnings - $22,000
League maximum earnings - $52,500
Average player earnings - $32,500
Record season player earnings - $518,000 (Carli Lloyd 2021)
The NWSL has more than doubled the league salary cap in four years. The 2020 season saw nine total teams, the 2021 season increased to ten, and there are plans for two additional teams in 2022. This will result in twelve total teams in the NWSL. The below chart is in millions.
Individual-based sports offer a significantly higher earnings ceiling than team sports. Although, team sports offer an earnings floor for guaranteed earnings. One item to note, the player compensation does not include endorsements.
Have yourself a Monday, talk to you next week!
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Loved the breakdown.
Loved the breakdown.