Sports
The Most Lucrative Celebrity Endorsements
When we hear about the mega wealth of top celebrities, we often assume they’ve made most of their money through acting, professional sports, or whatever their career may be. We see them living the expensive lifestyle of the uber-rich, and it’s easy to assume their careers alone fund it. What may surprise you, however, is the number of A-listers who secure an alternate source of income that proves just as—if not more—profitable.
Celebrity endorsements are nothing new and can be wildly effective for the brands they promote. People see a Hollywood star or top athlete using a product, and they want to do the same. Tying a star to a brand isn’t cheap—far from it. Be prepared for some eye-popping numbers as we take a deep dive into the most lucrative celebrity endorsements over the years.
Beyonce – Pepsi
Among the many brands Beyoncé has partnered with over the years, Pepsi stands out—especially after the record-breaking endorsement deal she signed in 2012. The Pepsi deal included several ads, including a flashy spot for the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show that was sponsored by Pepsi. The multi-year partnership resulted in a $50 million payday for Beyoncé as she became the soda’s official brand ambassador.
David Beckham – Adidas
Professional soccer (EU football) player David Beckham didn’t just sign any old deal, he signed a lifetime brand ambassador deal with Adidas in 2003. This was huge news at the time, not only because it was a lifetime deal but also because of the value: an estimated $160 million.
What makes this deal even more impressive is that Beckham earns profits from the campaigns as well. It’s no wonder you often see him wearing Adidas apparel in photoshoots and everyday outings.
George Clooney – Nespresso
Sometimes celebrity endorsements make sense, and then there are deals that seem to come out of left field. It’s unlikely that anyone would have predicted a deal between Hollywood star George Clooney and Nespresso. You’ve probably seen the commercials on TV, which tend to be witty and make good use of Clooney’s natural charm. Well, that charisma doesn’t come cheap, as the endorsement deal is rumored to be worth $40 million.
Michael Jordan – Nike
Michael Jordan wasn’t the first professional athlete to get a celebrity endorsement deal, but many look at his deal in particular as a turning point. In 1984, Jordan signed a five-year deal with Nike, worth $500,000 per year. It set a new standard for athlete endorsements. His name became synonymous with basketball sneakers, as the Nike shoes with his name became an instant hit.
As Jordan’s career progressed and his talents became clearer, Nike stuck with the deals and continued to re-sign him. Fast-forward to today, and it is estimated that Jordan has made about $1.3 billion from the company.
Jamie Foxx – BetMGM
When you think of Jamie Foxx, there are probably a slew of movies that come to mind. He’s known for his roles in Django Unchained, Ray, Collateral, and more recently, Back in Action. But there’s another starring role that the actor has made his mark in, and that’s as a brand ambassador for BetMGM.
This partnership is a great example of how big the iGaming space has gotten. Foxx is a big name with an impressive résumé and highly recognizable, which has only helped push BetMGM into the mainstream. It has created more interest in iGaming, as more people seek out the US’s most helpful gambling site to help them navigate the expanding field of online sportsbooks and casinos. While Foxx’s particulars on how much he is making from the deal haven’t been released, you can bet it came with a hefty price tag.
Charlize Theron – Dior
Charlize Theron is a brand ambassador for high-end design fashion house Dior. Founded in 1946 by Christian Dior, a French designer, Dior is a brand that has continually expanded and built a prestigious reputation. It exudes sophistication and elegance, which makes Theron an ideal choice.
Theron signed an 11-year deal with Dior, originally associated with the J’adore perfume line, that required billboard advertisements and a series of commercials. It was worth $5 million per year, or $55 million in total.
Serena Williams – Nike
Serena Williams also makes the list of lucrative celebrity endorsements when she signed with Nike in 2004 for a reported $40 million. At that time, she was the only woman athlete to make that kind of money from a brand deal and, over 20 years later, is still among very few who do. Thanks to her exceptional performance, she has remained a household name, and Nike kept renewing her contract.
George Foreman – Salton Inc.
Pretty much everyone has heard of the Salton George Foreman Grill. A handy small appliance used for grilling all kinds of items, it is named after the two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, George Foreman.
The grill was revolutionary when introduced, as it was electrically heated, double-sided, portable, and extremely easy to use. Not only that, it was able to drain the fat of the items you cooked, making for a healthier option. When Foreman inked a deal with Salton, it seemed like a great fit since he was a professional athlete who knew what it meant to eat healthily.
While it’s hard to say how much Foreman made from the endorsement, reports estimate that it was well above $200 million. That likely exceeds his total earnings from professional boxing.
Tiger Woods – Nike
We can’t create a list of celebrity endorsements without mentioning one of the best and most well-known professional golfers ever. Tiger Woods is a familiar name around the world. The way he exploded onto the scene and dominated in his early years was nothing short of shocking. He is tied for the most PGA wins by a golfer, has won countless tournaments, and is ranked second in terms of men’s major golf championships.
With that kind of resume, it’s no wonder that brands were itching to partner with him. But it was Nike that won the contract when they signed with Woods in 1996. While he didn’t make significant money right away, his deals grew over time. By 2013’s re-signing, his contract was worth $200 million. As of 2025, Woods is estimated to be worth $1.3 billion. Of that, around $500 million is tied to his Nike partnerships.
Celebrity Endorsement Deals Are the Ultimate Win
As you can see by the numbers discussed here, landing a brand ambassador partnership can be the sweetest deal there is. These deals tend to span several years and can even end up being lifetime deals. Not only do they add to a celebrity’s net worth, but they also ensure continued income well into their retirement.
Updated Dec. 30, 2025, 7:16 a.m. CT
Former Wisconsin volleyball outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres announced her commitment to Creighton University on Sunday.
The news arrives over a week after Shadd-Ceres announced her decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 19. She becomes the third former Badger to announce her commitment elsewhere, joining setter Addy Horner (TCU) and libero/defensive specialist Maile Chan (FSU).
Shadd-Ceres showcased her skill set during Wisconsin’s recent run to the Final Four, with three kills in the team’s regional triumph over Texas and another kill in its Final Four loss to Kentucky. In total, she tallied 12 kills in 16 appearances.
Chan, who committed to FSU on Sunday, appeared in 16 matches during the 2025 slate. Her opportunities were limited, considering her position behind star Charlie Fuerbringer on the depth chart. Horner, meanwhile, notched 19 kills in 71 sets as a freshman.
The trio joins Aniya Warren and Tosia Serafinowska in the transfer portal class. Seniors Mimi Colyer, Jada Cerniglia, Carter Booth, and Alicia Andrew also wrapped up their tenures in Madison this winter.
Details
Posted: 30-Dec-25
Location: Wise, Virginia
Type: Full-time
Salary: $50,000 – $55,000
Categories:
Coaching
Coaching – Volleyball
Sector:
Professional Sports
Internal Number: R0079167
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise located in the beautiful mountains of southwestern Virginia is seeking applicants for a Head Volleyball Coach.
Head Coaches oversee all aspects of a sports program and assume primary responsibility for all activities of a team. They are responsible for the same duties as Assistant Coaches, however, they operate with additional authority, independence, or level of complexity. Head Coaches ensure the sports program strategy and objectives are in alignment with the mission and goals of the Department of Athletics and University. They adhere to the rules and regulations outlined by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the South Atlantic Conference (SAC).
Construct a strategic recruiting plan that targets student athletes who are academically eligible and athletically competitive.
Hire, train, and supervise a small or large staff team.
Define team and player goals and implement plans to achieve them.
Monitor expenses, analyze cost projections and trends, identify resource allocation, and maintain a balanced and accurate budget.
Maintain detailed and current knowledge on all NCAA Division II, South Atlantic Conference (SAC), and College/University rules and regulations related to the sports program, ensuring all those associated with the program remain compliant.
In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.
UVA Wise is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence, affordable access, and unwavering support of a collaborative and diverse community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Employee fulfills duties as a “responsible employee” under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. A Responsible employee includes any employee: who has the authority to take action to redress sexual violence; who has been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual violence or any other misconduct by students to the Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate school designee; or whom a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
UVA Wise is committed to helping the campus community provide for their own safety and security. The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report containing information on campus security and personal safety, including alerts, fire safety, crime prevention tips, and crime statistics is available at www.uvawise.edu/ASR. A copy is available upon request by calling 276-328-0190 or 276-376-3451.
About University of Virginia’s College at Wise
The only division of the University of Virginia located outside of Charlottesville, UVA Wise has a beautiful campus that is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Here, students learn from faculty who are encouraged to engage in scholarship and service that complements their teaching, and our environment is ideal for the task. In addition to Appalachian arts and culture, on-campus wetlands and impressive geography, and a region full of opportunities for study and outdoor adventure, there are many opportunities to build partnerships with organizations, agencies, and businesses in the area and beyond. Professional staff and a dedicated senior leadership team are driven by the vital mission of ensuring access and affordability to this robust, quality hig…her education. The College’s student population is largely first-generation, often rural students, for whom we offer access and affordability along with challenging academic work in the liberal arts tradition. The result is well-rounded graduates who earn fulfilling work at leading organizations and pursue graduate study at prestigious universities.
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https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/21938258/head-volleyball-coach
Two named to the 2025 all-state volleyball team
By PAUL MATLI
The Astorian
Two is better than one for Astoria’s volleyball team.
After qualifying for the 2025 state tournament, the Fishermen concluded their season with two of their underclassmen being named to the all-state team. Junior defensive specialist Hadley Painter and super sophomore Kyah Gohr were named to the 2025 all-state volleyball team.
The defensive specialist Painter was named to the second team, while Gohr was the only player in the state to be named all-state at two different positions.
Player of the Year: Lauren Rohman, Marist Catholic
Coach of the Year: Shari Pimental, Marist Catholic
First Team
Lauren Rohman, junior setter, Marist Catholic
Caroline Knutson, sophomore hitter, Marshfield
Jazlynn Morris-Holmes, sophomore hitter, The Dalles
Kimmy Spurlock, junior hitter, Marist Catholic
Kyah Gohr, sophomore hitter, Astoria
Irene Rocha-Ibarra, senior setter, Cascade
Finley Evans, junior DS/Libero, Pendleton
Kegan De Lee, senior DS/Libero, Marist Catholic
Second Team
Adriana Lyons-Rivera, junior hitter, Marist Catholic
Avery Brown, senior hitter, Pendleton
Emma Kirschenmann, senior hitter, Cascade
Nora Stanley, junior hitter, Philomath
Caitlin Cooley, junior setter, Pendleton
Caitlynn Gatton, senior setter, The Dalles
Edie May, junior DS/Libero, The Dalles
Hadley Painter, junior DS/Libero, Astoria
Third Team
Cleo Corbin, senior hitter, The Dalles
Hailey Abundiz, senior hitter, Cascade
Mackenzie Fitzgerald-Thornton, senior hitter, Marshfield
Makayla Schroeder, sophomore hitter, Henley
Hailey Paulson, junior setter, Henley
Kyah Gohr, sophomore setter, Astoria
Madison Smallwood, senior DS/Libero, Newport
Payton Lee, junior DS/Libero, Estacada
Honorable Mention
Abby DuBose, junior hitter, Henley
Jocelynn Joseph, junior hitter, Cottage Grove
Kahlia Cage, senior hitter, Henley
Shaylee May, senior hitter, Philomath
Abigail Bean, junior setter, Estacada
Kendall Smith, senior setter, St. Helens
Jenna Melsness, junior DS/Libero, Henley
Maddie Seavert, senior DS/Libero, La Grande
Professional volleyball player Bernadeth Pons reflected on her journey of dreaming and achieving a gold medal win at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Monday.
“This was just a dream six years ago. 2019 when we won our first SEA Games medal (Bronze), ‘yun din yung first time na nalaman ko na ‘pag nag-champion pala kayo ire-raise ang flag niyo and you’ll sing your National Anthem from the top of the podium. :relaxed: At that very moment, I told myself that ‘Someday, Philippine Flag naman yung nandiyan,'” she wrote in her post.
Pons, together with Sisi Rondina, Dij Rodriguez, and Sunny Villapando, won the country’s first-ever gold medal in women’s beach volleyball during the 2025 SEA Games.
“Finally, that ‘someday’ has turned into reality. We are now SEA GAMES GOLD MEDALISTS,” Pons happily stated. (Instagram/Bernadeth Pons)
- NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament up 13% year over year
- First and Second Round engagement on ESPN+ up 33% YoY
- Record regular season viewership – up 36% from 2024
The 2025 Women’s College Volleyball season on ESPN networks was one for the books, as both the NCAA Tournament and the regular season delivered records and grew viewership from last season.
The 2025 Women’s NCAA Volleyball Tournament was the most-consumed ever, with more than 1.3 billion minutes watched across ESPN platforms. The entirety of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament finished up 13% year over year, averaging 666,000 viewers across the 15 matches and featured the most-watched Regionals on record. The ’25 volleyball tournament also featured a record-high four matches that averaged at least one million viewers.
The National Championship match between Texas A&M and Kentucky saw 1.4 million viewers tune in, making it the second most-watched title bout on record and third most-watched college volleyball match ever. The champ game peaked with 1.7 million viewers as the Aggies defeated the Wildcats in straight sets.
The Championship tournament experienced massive growth among adults 25-34, with viewership spiking 83% year over year and among people 2-17, which jumped 40% from 2024. During this year’s championship run, women comprised 45% of the audience, increasing their share from the prior year.
National Semifinals
The NCAA Women’s Volleyball National Semifinals averaged 1.1 million viewers across both matches. Each match hit one million viewers for a third consecutive year.
The second semifinal between Wisconsin and Kentucky led the way with 1.1 million viewers, peaking with 1.2 million. That marks the second most-watched semifinal on record. The Texas A&M-Pittsburgh semifinal averaged 1.0 million viewers and also peaked with 1.2 million, ranking as the fifth most-watched semifinal on record.
Regional Round
The NCAA Women’s Volleyball Regional round averaged a tremendous 530,000 viewers, up 32% year over year for its highest average ever. The round also featured four of the six most-watched Regional matches ever. The Regionals saw huge demo growth among P25-34 (+147%), P2-17 (+89%) and women (+39%).
The top match of the Regional round was the thrilling five-setter between Texas A&M and Nebraska, which averaged 1.2 million viewers — with a 1.6 million viewer peak, making this the most-watched NCAA Regional ever.
Other top matches included:
- Kansas vs. Nebraska on ESPN2 (Regional Semifinal | 718,000 viewers)
- Texas A&M vs. Louisville on ESPN2 (Regional Semifinal | 674,000 viewers)
- Wisconsin vs. Texas on ESPN (Regional Final | 663,000 viewers)
- Purdue vs. Pittsburgh on ESPN2 (Regional Final | 468,000 viewers)
The Regional Finals saw its best performance on record, averaging 753,000 viewers (+27%) across the two days. The Regional Semifinals boasted 29% growth from 2024, averaging 402,000 viewers on ESPN/ESPN2 – also registering the best average for this round on record.
First & Second Round
ESPN+ engagement increased 33% over 2024 during the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Fifth Set whip-around coverage averaged 183,000 viewers across its ESPN2 telecasts, up 60% year over year.
Regular Season
ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 combined to air a record 33 women’s college volleyball matches during the 2025 season – more than any previous year as the sport’s popularity continues to skyrocket. This resulted in
ESPN’s most-watched women’s college volleyball regular season ever, averaging 190,000 viewers and finishing up 36% year over year, including gains among P18-34 (+59%) and women (+41%).
This season, ESPN aired three of its five most-watched telecasts ever, including its largest regular season audience for Nebraska-Kentucky (1.2M viewers | Aug. 31 on ABC). The AVCA First Serve also delivered ESPN’s top two regular season matches on Aug. 24. Stanford-Nebraska drew 596,000 viewers, while Florida-Pitt scored 525,000 viewers.
DALLAS (SMU) – Head Coach Sam Erger and the SMU Volleyball program have announced three addition, Levariya Pinder, Elle Vandeweghe and Victoria Shupe, who will join the Mustangs in 2026. The class is ranked No. 15 nationally by VBAdrenaline.com.
Pinder will stay close to home, hailing from Haslet, Texas, while Vandeweghe will make the move to Dallas from Manhattan Beach, California. Both signed on Nov. 12, the 2026 National Signing day. Shupe officially became a Mustang in late December, hailing from Spring, Texas.
Levariya Pinder, 5-10, Pin Hitter, Haslet, Texas (Northwestern High School/Dallas Skyline)
• Is ranked 37th nationally by PrepDig.com and 12th in the state of Texas in her class
• Was a BI District Champion in 2022 & 2025, as well as an Area Champion 2025
• Has collected 1826 kills, 1284 digs and 136 aces with a .300 hitting percentage in her high school career
• Set Northwestern High School Volleyball records in kills per set and kill in a season
• Was named a Team Captain for Northwestern High School
• Named a District 4-6A First Team All-District, Academic All-District and AVCA All-Region her junior season
• Most Improved Player, District Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-District and Team MVP her sophomore season
• 5-5A Second Team All-District and Academic All-District her freshman season
• Played for Dallas Skyline Juniors in Club
Elle Vandeweghe, 6-5, Middle Blocker, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Marymount High School/SC Rockstar Volleyball Club)
• Ranked 29th in the state of California in her class
• Named 2025 AVCA Girls High School All-Region
• Invited to compete at the Under Armor Next All-American Camp
• Selected to the USAVB National Team Development Program and participated in the USVB National Team Training Series
• Team Captain on a top-10 nationally ranked Marymount High School squad
• Helped Marymount win two out-of-state highly competitive tournaments in Hawaiian Island Labor Day Classic and Durango Fall Classic in her senior season
• Helped high school advance to the championship match of the Platinum Division at the Nike Tournament of Champions Southwest
• Played for SC Rockstar Volleyball in club, one top club teams in the state
Victoria Shupe, 5-7, DS/Libero, Spring, Texas (Fort Bend Christian Homeschool Athletics/Houston Skyline)
• Four years Varsity player at FBCHA, played club for Houston Skyline
• Compiled 1,422 digs, 330 assists and 210 aces in four season at FBCHA
• Named to the AVCA Phenom Watchlist in 2022 & 2023 – list compiled by AVCA that recognizes outstanding underclassmen for volleyball
• Won 6 Girls Junior National Championships
• 4x 2024 FBCHA Defensive Player of the Year (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024)
• 2025 FBCHA Team Captain
• 2025 Houston Open Tournament MVP
• Presented the Houston Skyline 14 Royal Skyline Award for the 2022-23 season
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