When it rains, it pours. Money that is, for Naomi Osaka. Osaka, who is already the highest-paid female athlete in the world, has now become an investor in premium sake brand Soto.

Soto is not sponsoring Osaka.  She is an investor and a consultant to the brand, just like Maria Sharapova‘s role in tech wellness company Therabody. 

“As a native of Japan, I am proud to be involved with a product that is authentically Japanese. SOTO’s status as a made-in-Japan, traditional ‘Japanese sake’ is another major reason I’m supporting the brand.

-Naomi Osaka

Soto has won several awards internationally for its unique taste. Soto means “outside” in Japanese and the brand uses natural ingredients to make this premium product.

Naomi Osaka made $37.4 million last year from her sponsorship deals.  Here is the full list of Osaka’s sponsors. Nike alone reportedly pays Osaka $10 million per year for an apparel and shoe sponsorship.  Nike lured Osaka away from her previous sponsor Adidas.

Osaka was born to a Japanese mom and Haitian dad. Though she trained mostly in the US, she switched to Japanse nationality and represents Japan in competitions.  

Maria Sharapova has joined global tech wellness company Therabody as an investor and strategic advisor. Sharapova will help Therabody create new products and expand the company’s global reach. With her global appeal, Sharapova is also expected to educate consumers and promote the brand. 

Sharapova retired in February 2020 from professional tennis. Sharapova, a five-time grand slam champion is one of the highest-earning female athletes in the world. 

Therabody was first known for its massage tool, Theragun. But the company has added several high-end massage therapy products that are used by athletes and sports teams.  The company’s latest addition is a line of CBD oil and lotions.

Therabody announced that Sharapova has taken a stake in the company. It is not known how much interest she owns in the company.

Therabody is not Sharapova’s first investment. In 2012, Sharapova started her own candy brand Sugarpova. The brand is reported to bring in around $20 million in revenues today.

Sharapova is also an investor in Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) and sunscreen company Sugargoop. Sharapova is the co-owner of Supergoop.

Earlier this year, Sharapova appeared as a guest judge on the TV show, “Shark Tank”. She, along with Mark Cuban (who owns the NBA team Dallas Mavericks) invested in wearable weights company, Bala Bangles.

Therabody signed up rising tennis star Amanda Anisimova to a sponsorship deal earlier this year. NBA star Paul George and PGA golfer Collin Morikawa also serve as brand ambassadors for the company.