“I don’t like sitting in the house watching Netflix. … I like getting stuff done,” Flau’jae Johnson once said. And that right there is the reason she is what she is—because she never stops hustling. In just her third year playing college basketball, Johnson has become marketing gold. All while still being a top-notch hooper. She’s breaking the mold of what a college athlete can do—from the basketball court to the boardroom and she’s getting paid a ton of money to do it.

What are Flau’jae Johnson’s NIL deals as of 2025?

Flau’jae Johnson has emerged as the gold standard of NIL success in women’s college basketball, with a staggering $1.5 million valuation that makes her more than twice as lucrative as the highest-earning player in the sport. Her roster sounds like a Fortune 500 client list, including such market movers as Apple Cash, JBL Audio and Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge.

What makes the move even more notable is her groundbreaking equity deal with Unrivaled—the women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars, which makes her just the second college athlete ever to land ownership stakes through NIL.

The LSU star’s marketing potential rivals traditional sponsorships by a great distance. She’s collaborated with experiential brands such as The Athlete’s Foot (sneaker culture), Doritos (pop-culture relevance) and even Tinder, the dating app, proving she has crossover stature. Tech giants like LG Electronics and Amazon have sought out her digital-native power and financial services like TurboTax and Experian hitch her fiscal responsibility narrative.

Industry analysts point out that many of her deals have creative components—such as the Bazooka gum partnership that’s tied into her music career and have shown she is writing the handbook on sponsorship.

Johnson’s numbers are unmatched in brand engagement, with about 3.5 million social media followers. What has kept her at the top of the food/beverage mountain—additions like Raising Cane’s and Powerade speak to that—and also her Roc Nation music connections have unlocked collaborations that most athletes have zero access to.

“Basketball and music combined, my NIL deals are at approximately $4.5 million per year,” Johnson said, explaining how she’s created an interdependent brand ecosystem that generates revenue 12 months a year, as opposed to just playing for the team.

Which high school did Flau’jae Johnson attend?

Johnson dominated Georgia’s high school basketball scene at Sprayberry High School in Marietta before blossoming as a star at LSU. Her time there redefined the program’s history—she was named the Region 6A Player of the Year, became a McDonald’s All-American, and led the team to success that was unthinkable before her arrival. The school retired her #4 jersey in a ceremonial first, and still an only: she is the first female athlete in Sprayberry history to receive such an honor.

Johnson had viral moments in high school that would foreshadow her college stardom. During her senior year, she recorded an impressive 40/14 double-double, showcasing the two-way ability that would come to define her performances in the SEC. Coaches remember her turning average games into cannot-miss spectacles, with scouts from all major programs often flocking to Sprayberry’s stands.

Off the court, Johnson juggled athletic excellence and a fledgling music career, recording tracks while staying on the honor roll. That dual focus helped prepare her for the unusual dual challenge of being a student athlete-entertainer at LSU. Sprayberry’s close-knit atmosphere also instilled the values she promotes today: “I moved smart,” she said, reflecting on her high school days. “I was around people who were pursuing dreams, not drama.”

What is Flau’jae Johnson’s Net Worth and Salary?

Forbes estimated Johnson’s current net worth to be $7 million—a sum that eclipses that of most professional athletes in women’s sports. That’s thanks to her multi-pronged coffers: $4.5 million in annual NIL deals (per her own disclosure), income from her Roc Nation music career, appreciating assets like her Unrivaled equity stake. Although NCAA rules forbid her from taking a salary, her monetary ecosystem is comparable to elite WNBA veterans  and that’s particularly impressive because she has yet to declare for the draft.

A breakdown of her wealth shows a strategic diversification. Her 25-plus NIL deals are worth around $1.5 million annually (On3’s valuation) and, although less tangible, music pursuits including collaborations with Lil Wayne and NLE Choppa—help foster another seven-figure income stream.

Long-term plays such as the Unrivaled investment could be the most impactful; sports economists say her ownership share could elevate exponentially in value as the league matures. Even her Chipotle obsession is financially motivated—she has publicly pursued a sponsorship to help cover her burrito bowl bills.

Johnson’s net worth is expected to double within two years as per the projections. When she arrives in the WNBA, her rookie salary (approximately $76,535) will be a minor line item to future NIL deals and music royalties.

“I research CEOs and watch videos on business every day,” she said—a regimen that sheds some light on why Intuit, a financial literacy platform, recruited her as an ambassador. This holistic strategy means her earning power won’t rely exclusively on athletic performance and establishes a new precedent for financial independence in women’s sports.

As for her future, even though she’s not heading to the WNBA just yet, her brand is only growing. She’s got the skills, the business mindset, and two completely different fanbases (basketball and music) backing her up. When the time comes, the deals will keep rolling in. And we just know she’ll be ready for them.

What a sight to see for anyone who has seen this NIL era take shape!