Legendary Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer took issue with how LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne was earning big bucks in name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorships.
Dunne, a junior going into the 2023 season, has one of the largest social media followings of any collegiate athlete across any sport male or female. She reportedly earns around $2 million with various sponsorships such as the activewear brand Vuori, American Eagle and Planet Fuel. She is also signed to one of the biggest agencies in WME Sports.
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Head coach Tara VanDerveer of the Stanford Cardinal speaks to reporters before a practice session with the team at Target Center on March 31, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Stanford Cardinal will play the UConn Huskies on April 1, 2022.
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
She boasts more than 6.2 million followers on TikTok and 2.3 million followers on Instagram. The 20-year-old at times posts scantily clad photos and videos, which is partly the reason why her brand is as incredibly successful as it is.
VanDerveer, a staunch supporter of women’s rights who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, said she saw the trend as a “step back” for female athletes.
“I guess sometimes we have this swinging pendulum, where we maybe take two steps forward, and then we take a step back,” she told The New York Times in a recent interview. “We’re fighting for all the opportunities to compete, to play, to have resources, to have facilities, to have coaches, and all the things that go with Olympic-caliber athletics.
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Olivia Dunne attends the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre on July 20, 2022 in Hollywood, California.
(Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
“This is a step back,” she added.
Dunne told the paper she is proud of what she has been able to accomplish with the floodgates opening for NIL…
Source : foxnews
