In a move that could be a game-changer for college sports, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne has teamed up with Accelerator Active Energy to offer an unusual sponsorship deal that will also benefit her teammates.
Announced on Tuesday, the partnership uses Dunne’s “Livvy Fund” to make eight LSU gymnasts official ambassadors for the energy drink company.
This is the first time a brand has made a deal through the Livvy Fund, signaling a fresh approach to how student-athletes can benefit from sponsorships.
Dunne started the Livvy Fund earlier this year with a special focus: to help female athletes at LSU secure sponsorship deals using their own name, image, and likeness (NIL).
“It was Dunne who chose to help her fellow gymnasts benefit from the Livvy Fund,” the article highlights.
The criteria for picking the gymnasts for this deal were also shaped by Bayou Traditions and Accelerator.
The eight gymnasts benefiting from this deal are Konnor McClain, who is the current all-around national gymnastics champion, and others like Ashley Cowan, Jillian Hoffman, Chase Brock, KJ Johnson, Haleigh Bryant, Sierra Ballard, and Kiya Johnson.
The deal not only sets a precedent for athlete endorsements at the college level but also illustrates how entire teams can cash in on these opportunities.
When it comes to the value of college athletes in the sponsorship market, Dunne is a big deal.
According to On3, her NIL valuation is $3.2 million, which makes her the most valuable female college athlete in the country.
Only two other athletes, Bronny James from USC, valued at $5.9 million, and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado, valued at $4.8 million, are ahead of her.
It’s worth noting that Dunne isn’t the only LSU athlete breaking new ground. Angel Reese, an LSU women’s basketball star, recently signed a deal with Reebok and has a valuation of $1.7 million.
Both athletes are trailblazers in a new era where college athletes are allowed, under NCAA rules, to make money from sponsorships and personal branding.
For Dunne, this isn’t just about the money. She sees the Livvy Fund as a “passion project” in her final year at LSU.
Dunne aims to use her connections and social media popularity to educate other female athletes about the money-making opportunities now available to them.
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Dunne’s partnership with Accelerator adds to her growing list of brand deals as she enters her last college season.
She joins sports stars like Travis Kelce, Jalen Hurts, and Aaron Judge, who are also Accelerator brand ambassadors.
As she prepares for her final season, starting with an exhibition game on December 16, this unique sponsorship deal serves as a sign of the lucrative opportunities that could be waiting for student-athletes across the country.
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