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Female athletes who have cashed in on NIL deals

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 

@lexiisun

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

@aliyh.boston

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

@azzi35, @jaidenfields

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

@livvy

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

@cbg.jada24

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).

Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries Ride Upset Wins into the WNBA Weekend

Phoenix Mercury players including Satou Sabally huddle during a 2025 WNBA game against the New York Liberty.
Phoenix rose to No. 3 in the WNBA standings with Thursday's win over New York. (Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

Two key upsets headlined Thursday's WNBA bill, sending the Phoenix Mercury soaring into third place in the league standings while the No. 6 Golden State Valkyries continued to outwit opponents.

The red-hot Mercury snagged their fourth straight win by taking down the No. 2 New York Liberty 89-81 on Thursday night, overcoming an 35-point performance from two-time MVP Breanna Stewart with five double-digit Phoenix scorers.

Meanwhile out West, the Valkyries stifled a surging No. 7 Fever, downing Indiana 88-77 in part by holding star guard Caitlin Clark to just 3-for-14 from the field — and 0-for-7 from behind the arc.

"We were being disruptive, we know that she doesn't like physicality, we know that she wants to get to that left step-back," Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said about the Valkyries' strategy to effectively contain Clark.

Though the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx and 2024 WNBA champions New York still hold court atop the table, Thursday's actions proves that other squads are making some unexpected in-roads.

Putting together an impressive road record are the Mercury, who will ride a 4-2 away record into their Saturday matchup against the No. 11 Chicago Sky — the last stop on a four-game road trip that's been perfect for Phoenix thus far.

Already flipping the script on expectations is Golden State, with the 2025 expansion team rising despite relying on a hodgepodge roster as several players compete at EuroBasket 2025. The Valkyries will aim to keep their winning momentum in their Sunday clash with the No. 12 Connecticut Sun.

How to watch the Mercury, Valkyries this weekend

Both of Thursday's victors will be back in action this weekend, with Phoenix facing Chicago at 1 PM ET on Saturday, airing live on ABC.

Then on Sunday, Golden State will host Connecticut at 8:30 PM ET, with live coverage on WNBA League Pass.

Las Vegas Aces Aim to Stop Skid Ahead of Tough WNBA Weekend Matchups

Las Vegas's A'ja Wilson tries to defend a lay-up from Seattle's Gabby Williams during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Las Vegas Aces will face both Seattle and Indiana this weekend. (Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)

In another weekend full of WNBA action, all eyes are on Las Vegas, as the No. 8 Aces will try to curb a two-game losing streak against two formidable opponents.

A successful weekend for Las Vegas could hinge on three-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson's potential return from injury, with the star forward recently upgraded to "questionable" after landing in concussion protocol last week.

Overall, the margin for error has narrowed in the middle of the WNBA pack, as talented teams continue to translate quality performances into consistency.

  • No. 5 Seattle Storm vs. No. 8 Las Vegas Aces, Friday at 10 PM ET (ION): The Aces will try to end their free fall in Friday's head-to-head battle with a Seattle side that can beat anybody at their best.
  • No. 7 Indiana Fever vs. No. 8 Las Vegas Aces, Sunday at 3 PM ET (ESPN): Las Vegas next faces a Fever team still smarting from Thursday's away loss to the Golden State Valkyries, with both teams narrowly clinging to positions above the playoff line.
  • No. 2 New York Liberty vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, Sunday at 7 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Liberty have a comfortable hold on second place, but with two losses in their last three games, New York is flirting with danger entering their Sunday game with Seattle — particularly if star big Jonquel Jones is out after suffering a knock to the ankle on Thursday.

Ultimately, there's no rest for the weary in the WNBA, as a series of difficult matchups can see a single error quickly slide into a losing streak.

NWSL Kicks Off Final Gameday Slate Ahead of Summer Break

The San Diego Wave celebrate a goal by María Sánchez during a 2025 NWSL match.
The San Diego Wave will take on 2024 runners-up Washington on Sunday. (Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

The final NWSL weekend heading into the league's six-week summer break has arrived, giving teams one more chance to prove themselves before regular-season play pauses to make way for major international tournaments.

With a five-point gap separating No. 1 Kansas City from No. 2 Orlando in the NWSL standings, the Current will enter the break as the 2025 Shield frontrunners regardless of this weekend's results.

Despite Kansas City's grip atop the table, there's still plenty of room for movement both above and below the postseason cutoff line, as clubs across the NWSL look to wrap their midseason finales on a high note:

  • No. 1 Kansas City Current vs. No. 10 Angel City FC, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): Angel City has a shot at launching themselves above the cutoff line on Friday, but they'll have to snap the Current's five-game winning streak to make it happen.
  • No. 8 Gotham FC vs. No. 9 Bay FC, Saturday at 7:30 PM ET (ION): Gotham and Bay FC enter the weekend tied on points while staring at each other from on opposite sides of the playoff line — meaning a Saturday win for either club could set the tone for the rest of the 2025 season.
  • No. 3 San Diego Wave FC vs. No. 4 Washington Spirit, Sunday at 10 PM ET (CBS Sports): The weekend's only top-table clash could see San Diego sprint back into second place — unless Washington leapfrogs the upstart Wave to claim the third-place spot.

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Ups Purse to $12 Million, Ties LPGA Tour Record

Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul hits a shot during the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul is in the lead after one round at the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The LPGA Tour has turned its attention to Texas, with the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship — the third major of the pro golf season — teeing off in Frisco to a flurry of first-round action on Thursday.

All of the sport's Top 100 athletes are participating in this week's event, including No. 1 Nelly Korda, who sits in a 14th-place tie with an even-par first-round performance, and surging US dark horse No. 50 Lexi Thompson, who tied for 10th in her Thursday return from a brief retirement.

However, leading the pack heading into Friday's second round is Thailand's world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who finished the first day of competition atop the leaderboard with a score of 4-under-par.

Australia's No. 24 Minjee Lee also posted a strong start, capping Thursday at 3-under to sit in second place.

While the sport's best chase victory on the links, the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship is already making history off the green.

Not only is it the first-ever women's major to tee off at Frisco's Fields Ranch East, the tournament also increased its purse to $12 million on Tuesday — nearly tripling the $4.5 million prize pool from just four years ago and tying the US Women's Open for the LPGA Tour's highest payout in the process.

How to watch the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

The third LPGA Grand Slam of 2025 continues through Sunday.

Friday's second round will air live on the Golf Channel, while coverage of Saturday and Sunday's final rounds will air across NBC and Peacock.

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