Sha'Carri Richardson may not have been paid to compete in the 2024 Olympics, but the U.S. sprinter still managed to take home a small paycheck for her dominance on the track. While in Paris earlier this month, Richardson first won a silver medal in the women’s 100m, coming in second behind Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred at 10.87 seconds. Alongside Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, the 24-year-old later took home gold in the 4x100m relay, with the American quartet running a season-best time of 41.78 seconds.

Richardson was integral in Team USA’s pursuit of gold, delivering an incredible come-from-behind anchor leg after receiving the baton in third position. With several meters left to go, she took one last glance over her left shoulder and delivered a death stare at competitors from Great Britain and Germany - with the gesture soon after taking off on social media.

While athletes on Team USA aren’t paid to compete in the Olympics specifically, they are given bonuses for winning medals. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee gives out $37,500 for winning gold, $22,500 for winning silver, and $15,000 for winning bronze medals. Meaning that Richardson earned $60,000 from the U.S. Olympic Committee.

But just this past April, World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, announced that they would pay athletes who won gold medals in their events. Athletes who won gold in solo events would get $50,000 and relay teams would have to split the $50,000 evenly between team members. Meaning that Richardson likely made $12,500 from the gold she won in the women’s 4x100-meter relay. Altogether, that’s around $72,500 Richardson made from medaling in the Olympics, which isn’t a lot considering she’s an internationally known athlete who is one of the best in her sport.

The Real Source of Richardson's Wealth: Endorsements

But it doesn’t mean that she’s hurting for money. Richardson likely made more money from her endorsement deal with Nike than she did from winning gold and silver. She was in many of the shoe company’s biggest commercials. Not to mention, in December 2023, she reportedly signed a five-year, $20 million contract with the Swoosh, making her one of the brand’s marquee athletes regardless of the sport.

How Sha’Carri Richardson’s Net Worth Stacks Up

Richardson has leveraged her international fame to secure profitable partnerships with major brands, including but not limited to Nike, Apple Music and Beats. In December of 2023, she reportedly signed a five-year, $20 million deal with the apparel company, ranking her among the brand's highest-paid athletes. The exact amount of money provided in this contract has neither been confirmed by Nike nor Richardson. Essentially Sports predicts that by 2024, Richardson's net worth could range from $1 million to $5 million. This is likely to increase following her outstanding performance at the Olympics.

Beyond the Track: The Olympics' Financial Impact on Other Athletes

Other American Olympians also profited from their impressive performances in Paris. Star gymnast Simone Biles bagged four medals - three gold and one silver - which reportedly boosted her bonus earnings to $135,000.

The Power of Winning: A Lesson for Athletes

Richardson’s experience highlights a crucial point: While Olympic medals are a testament to athletic excellence and carry immense prestige, they are not always the primary source of financial gain for top athletes. In today's sporting landscape, securing lucrative endorsement deals and brand partnerships often plays a much larger role in shaping an athlete's financial success. This underscores the importance for athletes to cultivate a strong brand and leverage their popularity beyond their athletic achievements to maximize their earning potential.

Richardson's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating that hard work and dedication on the field can lead to significant financial rewards, even if it's not through Olympic medals alone. It's a reminder that the path to financial success in sports often involves a strategic combination of athletic prowess, brand building, and smart business decisions.