Olivia Dunne stuns fans with private jet escape from LSU showing how far NIL money can get her

Since 2021, student-athletes have had the opportunity to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The social impact of college athletes has always been significant, especially in the cities where their universities are located. However, with the rise of social media, many of these athletes have become famous nationwide. One such example is Olivia Dunne, an LSU gymnast whose university currently holds the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship title. Dunne is not just a pretty face; she's a top-tier athlete who lets her performance speak for itself.

Dunne and the NIL Benefits

LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne is one of the highest-paid athletes in terms of NIL, across both men's and women's sports. She is, in fact, the highest-paid woman in NIL history, with a valuation of $3.9 million, according to ON3NIL. Only Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback and son of Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, surpasses her nationwide with a $4.8 million valuation. Dunne recently highlighted the perks of being an athlete of her caliber in a TikTok video where she humorously depicts herself leaving school in a luxurious private jet, captioning it, "POV: me leaving school after any minor inconvenience."

While the jet isn't hers but rather provided by a company for a commercial or sponsored event, the lavish lifestyle of these athletes is a dream for many. This undoubtedly motivates younger athletes in junior high or high school to strive for excellence so they, too, can enjoy these kinds of benefits in college. However, since the NIL's inception in 2021, there have been concerns from some universities about paying student-athletes. The fear is that having such financial independence before graduation might lead them to drop out of school or not complete their degrees.

Next for Dunne

Dunne, who has also modeled for Sports Illustrated, is preparing for her fifth and final season of college gymnastics at LSU. With LSU holding the current NCAA Championship title, Dunne's return fuels hopes for another championship, potentially allowing her to retire as one of the best in NCAA gymnastics history. She's also been spotted supporting her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who is on track to win MLB Rookie of the Year with an impressive 9-2 record and 142 strikeouts.