Former World No.1 Naomi Osaka is not done breaking barriers, as the Japanese superstar is set to start her own sports agency.
In a move that is normally reserved for established sports stars like Roger Federer and NBA superstars Lebron James and Kevin Durant, Osaka will become the first female athlete at that level to take full control of her business endeavors and attempt to build an agency.
The four-time Grand Slam champion left her previous agency, IMG, and aims to launch her own agency, called EVOLVE. According to her agent, Stuart Duguid, EVOLVE isn't aiming to be a large agency. The company may only take on one or two other athletes and is mostly about "building Naomi’s business from $50 million a year to $150 million a year," according to Duguid.
Osaka is well-equipped to start her own agency. She's the highest-paid woman athlete in the world. The 24-year old makes $52 million in endorsements, per Sportico's list. She also holds equity in a number of companies, including Sweetgreen and Modern Health.