New NCAA policy allowing student-athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness has changed the game of college sports forever, and female athletes are already cashing in.
A growing list of college athletes (and even some high school stars) are inking partnership deals and signing with sponsors, proving the profitability of women’s sports.
Haley and Hanna Cavinder, Fresno State
@haleycavinder, @hanna.cavinder
The Cavinder twins were some of the first athletes to sign a sponsorship deal, announcing a partnership with Boost Mobile shortly after NIL restrictions were lifted. According to some estimations, the basketball duo could make more than their coach this season.
Lexi Sun, University of Nebraska
Volleyball standout Lexi Sun has opted for deals that enable her to express her personal style, signing sponsorships with Borsheims and REN Athletics. For her partnership with Borsheims, Sun created a unique jewelry collection, and her custom-designed sweatshirt with REN Athletics quickly sold out. Sun is the first female athlete from Nebraska to sign a NIL deal.
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
South Carolina women’s basketball star Aliyah Boston inked her first partnership deal in July with Bojangles, a regional fast-food chicken chain. With her significant social media following (36,000 on Instagram) and basketball credentials (First Team All-American in 2021), she is likely to attract other NIL opportunities in the future. Boston recently signed with NIL agency Octagon Basketball, the same company representing Louisville’s Hailey Van Lith.
Azzi Fudd and Jaiden Fields
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd (last year’s No. 1 recruit) and Georgia softball star Jaiden Fields are now Chipotle’s first-ever college athlete ambassadors. Their partnership will help promote Chipotle’s “Real Food For Real Athletes” platform, which is focused on “helping athletes of all levels perform their best through real food and real ingredients.” Fudd is also partnering with Chipotle to help support underrepresented communities.
Olivia Dunne, Louisiana State University
With more than 5.7 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, Olivia Dunne is the most followed student-athlete on social media. The LSU gymnast is predicted to reach $1 million in NIL deals even after just finishing her freshman year. Activewear brand Vuori and plant-based wellness company PlantFuel are among Dunne’s growing list of partnerships.
Jada Williams, UCLA commit
16-year-old UCLA commit Jada Williams is already cashing in on her NIL rights, even before she steps foot on campus. Williams inked a multi-year deal with Spalding, making her a brand ambassador for both the company’s basketball equipment and its sportswear. Williams joins a stacked roster of athletes, which includes Damian Lillard, DeMar DeRozan and Ezi Magbegor.
Taylor Burrell, Jaelin Howell, Rayniah Jones, Trinity Thomas
@taylor.burrell, @jaehowell, @rayniahjones, @gymtrin
Milner Technologies, a workflow solutions company, struck a sponsorship deal with four female athletes from Florida, including Taylor Burrell (University of Miami, volleyball), Jaelin Howell (Florida State, soccer), Rayniah Jones (University of Central Florida, track & field), and Trinity Thomas (University of Florida, gymnastics). Each athlete will receive $5,000 each with an opportunity for further earnings down the road.
Mia Raffael, Kathleen Jones, Hannah Preissler
@mia_raffaele, @kathleen.m.jones, @hannah.preissler
GoPuff, an e-commerce food delivery service, is offering all student-athletes an endorsement program. Participants will receive payment for promoting GoPuff on social media and through other marketing platforms. Athletes including Mia Raffael (University of Miami, track & field), Kathleen Jones (Ohio State University, tennis), and Hannah Preissler (University of Nebraska, track & field) have signed up for the partnership.
Degree Deodorant’s inaugural #BreakingLimits Athletes
A group of inspiring college female athletes were chosen for Degree Deodorant’s inaugural #BreakingLimits marketing campaign. Degree’s historic program was intended to celebrate the landmark NIL movement and will highlight each college athlete’s personal story of overcoming adversity.
Team members include: Charlotte Teeter (Texas Tech, soccer), Dana Rettke (University of Wisconsin, volleyball), Gloria Mutiri (University of Oregon, volleyball), Asikia O’Neal (University of Texas, volleyball), Bailey Moody (University of Alabama, wheelchair basketball), Chayla Edwards (University of Wisconsin, Ice hockey), Emma Hoffart (Missouri Western State University, softball), Jazmyn Foberg (University of Florida, gymnastics), Jhenna Gabriel (University of Texas, volleyball), Lawrence Sapp (University of Cincinnati, Para-Swimming), Logan Eggleston (University of Texas, volleyball).
