Sharapova Signs Three-year Samsung Deal
The world’s highest-paid female athlete Maria Sharapova has signed a new three-year sponsorship deal with Samsung Electronics Co. The agreement, which starts immediately, covers Samsung products including mobile phones, tablet computers and television sets.
The agreement encompasses Sharapova’s native Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, according to her agent at IMG Worldwide, Max Eisenbud.
In 2004, Sharapova triumphed at Wimbledon aged just 17. Major titles followed at the 2006 U.S Open and the 2008 Australian Open, turning her into the world’s best-paid athlete.
Sharapova, who backed Sochi’s bid to host the Winter Olympics, currently earns around $25 million a year, according to Forbes magazine, with endorsement deals with companies including Nike Swiss luxury watch brand Tag Heuer, jeweler Tiffany & Co and Evian water.
The agreement with Samsung is the third mobile phone deal for Sharapova, having previously endorsed Motorola Mobility Holdings, and had been global brand ambassador for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications before the deal expired at the end of last year.
