Rising gymnastics star and social media sensation, Olivia Dunne, recently sparked a flurry of speculation after sharing a photo with NFL superstar Justin Jefferson on Instagram. Fans are now curious about the relationship status between these two prominent athletes.
Dunne made a noteworthy appearance at The ESPYS, interacting with other athletic luminaries from Louisiana State University (LSU), including standouts from the women’s basketball team. Angel Reese, a standout from the same team, was recognized with the Breakthrough Athlete award at The ESPYS in 2023.
Dubbed the “It Girl” of summer 2023, Dunne has accrued a colossal following across social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Her popularity soared despite a setback when an injury prevented her from competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Nevertheless, her vibrant social media presence propelled her into mainstream recognition, leading to a feature in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
Her combined follower count on Instagram and TikTok, exceeding 11.6 million, surpasses the population of Belgium. This social media stature places Dunne as the highest-earning female athlete in the NCAA, with an estimated annual valuation of $3.5 million. She has leveraged her popularity for partnerships with major brands such as ESPN, BodyArmor, Sports Illustrated, and Motorola. These endorsements and sponsored posts provide a significant income stream.
Dunne has a preference for long-term brand partnerships that align with her personal authenticity. According to a study by influencer-marketing firm Captiv8, as a student-athlete, she boasts one of the highest engagement rates among social media influencers, especially among female athletes.
However, despite Dunne’s success, many college athletes have found their earnings from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities falling short of expectations.
Embracing her financial success, Dunne enjoys using her income for travel and generously gifted her mother a Canada Goose jacket recently. She has also used her platform to help others, establishing the Livvy Fund at LSU. This fund seeks to extend NIL opportunities to female athletes striving to make their mark in the sports world.
Dunne recognizes the skewed balance in NIL collectives, predominantly favoring men’s sports. Her fund aims to redress this imbalance, fostering a more equitable distribution of opportunities.
Through her entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic efforts, Olivia Dunne seeks to create a lasting impact, all while continuing her flourishing career. The evolving landscape of NIL in college athletics offers both promising prospects and significant challenges regarding fairness, representation, and financial stability for student-athletes.
