Coco Gauff says she is ‘closing the incredible chapter’ with management agency Team8 to launch her own business at the age of 21.
Throughout her career, Gauff has been with Team8 which is an agency created by Roger Federer and his longtime agent Tony Godsick. Her departure will undoubtedly be a big blow to the company due to her high earning potential both on and off the court. Forbes named Gauff as the highest-paid female athlete of 2024 with estimated earnings of $34.4M. $25M of those earnings came from off-court activities.
Gauff’s new venture has been named ‘Coco Gauff Enterprises.’ It will be supported and represented by WME which is an American holding company for talent and media agencies. WME controls IMG and represents various top athletes. Among their clients are Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu.
“From the moment I first picked up a tennis racket, I’ve always believed my purpose extended far beyond the court,” Gauff said in a post on Instagram.
“I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Coco Gauff Enterprises, a venture that reflects my passion for making an impact – not just in tennis but in business, philanthropy and beyond.”
“I’m excited to build something that allows me to take greater ownership of my career while also creating opportunities that extend beyond myself as I continue to grow as an athlete, entrepreneur, and changemaker. Coco Gauff Enterprises will be represented and supported by WME, a team with the vision and resources to help me explore all the opportunities ahead.”
Gauff is currently ranked third in the world and has 10 WTA titles to her name, including the 2023 US Open and 2024 WTA Finals. However, she is yet to win a trophy this season, reaching the quarter-final stage in one out of her last five tournaments played. That was at the Australian Open where she was beaten by Paula Badosa in the last eight.
“This is just the beginning of an exciting new era for me, and there is much more to come, which I’ll be excited to share in due time. As always, tennis will continue to be my priority.” Gauff concluded.
