LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne has perfected Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) in the modern college athletics world. In fact, the popular social media personality is one of the highest-paid amateur athletes despite competing in a sport that pales in comparison to football, basketball and baseball as it relates to popularity around the nation.
Dunne has obviously taken advantage of the opportunity her social media presence has given her. The gym star is not looking for that to change, even once her college career comes to an end.
“So, I definitely want to do something (in NIL) overall after I’m done at LSU. And hopefully expand beyond LSU and help educate people and just help girls out,” Dunne said, via Fox News. “I’ve always loved sports. So, definitely something in the sports realm.”
Despite the fact that gymnasts don’t have a professional route like other amateur athletes, Dunne certainly has a plan in place. For her, that includes expanding on her recent Sports Illustrated appearance.
“I think that’s important, creating a substantial brand that will last post-college. And [SI Swim] is one of those, I don’t even want to call it a partnership because they’re like family to me,” Dunne said. “That’s been amazing.”
Related: Olivia Dunne Says Her Love For Gymnastics Is What Brought Her Back To LSU For Fifth Year
Olivia Dunne Talks Social Media, Post-LSU Plans
Dunne is currently dating star Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes. The two have seemingly gotten pretty serious.
Whether that relationship started due to her presence on social media. But that seems unlikely. The two were at LSU together before Pittsburgh made him the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
What we do know is that Dunne talked about the false perception of social media compared to the real world. It came amid a broader conversation about six-part Amazon Prime docuseries titled The Money Game, which she plays a central role.
“I feel like social media really can be glamorized and it can make your life look really glamorous, when it’s not like that at all times,” she said. “That was raw emotion. I think that’s what viewers want to see. They want that inside look on how we balance athletics, school and now NIL.”
Dunne currently has five million followers on Instagram and another eight million followers on TikTok. Her social media presence can’t be ignored.
In addition to her excellence on the mat, this presence has helped create partnerships with brands such as Raising Cane’s, American Eagle, Nautica and Microsoft.
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