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.