Olivia Dunne was changing into a social media star earlier than she turned a university athlete.
She signed her letter of intent with LSU in November 2019, incomes a full scholarship.
That was a present itself, however roughly a year-and-a-half later, school athletes had been lastly capable of revenue off their identify, picture, and likeness.
Olivia Dunne of LSU appears to be like on after a PAC-12 meet in opposition to Utah at Jon M. Huntsman Center on January 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
“That’s the second my life modified,” Dunne, 20, instructed PEOPLE.
Dunne knew her attraction and social media buzz might internet the large bucks – as we speak, she is the highest-paid NCAA feminine athlete, making “seven figures.”
And whereas her checking account continues to develop by the day, she’s displaying off her stardom for far more than herself.
“There was no roadmap of the way to do faculty, your athletics and social media all on the similar time. There’s actually nobody that is ever finished it. And I figured I might change that. I might pave the way in which and be instance to younger women that look as much as me.”
Olivia Dunne of LSU poses for pictures previous to a meet in opposition to Auburn at Neville Arena on February 10, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Stew Milne/Getty Images)
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Most school college students cannot think about making that sort of cash, however for Dunne, a gymnast, she’s taking benefit whereas she will be able to.
“With gymnastics, you peak once you’re about 15 years previous,” Dunne stated. “After school, there’s nothing actually for gymnasts.” There’s so {many professional} leagues for males’s sports activities after school, however there’s such a small timeframe for ladies to capitalize.”
Dunne may be probably the most well-known school athlete within the nation, however she’s an outlier and desires to see extra ladies get the NIL cash she feels they deserve.
Olivia Dunne of LSU takes a ‘selfie’ with followers after a PAC-12 meet in opposition to Utah at Jon M. Huntsman Center on January 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
“Opportunities for women and men in NCAA sports activities ought to be equal. But numerous the NIL collectives solely go to males’s athletics,” she says. “I need to present you are able to do no matter you’re keen on – whether or not it is gymnastics or music or portray – and capitalize on it and create your individual enterprise.”
Dunne has over 7 million TikTok followers, in addition to over 3 million on Instagram.
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