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Is Olivia Miles redefining what it means to be a student-athlete in today's sports landscape?

In an era where name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities are reshaping the collegiate sports landscape, Olivia Miles has emerged as a beacon of possibility. The Notre Dame women’s basketball star, celebrated for her electrifying play and sharp vision, is crafting a path that combines athletic prowess with business acumen. Miles isn’t just a standout on the court—she’s building a brand that champions innovation, community, and empowerment.

For this, Miles’ has achieved an off-court prominence that extends beyond her on-court achievements, with her NIL valuation reflecting her influence.

According to On3.com, Miles ranks 65th among the top 75 college women’s basketball players in NIL earnings. Her social media presence, which boasts 44,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, is a leverage that is utilized by her to highlight both her on-court performances while also acting as a platform to shed light on her NIL partnerships.

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Olivia Miles’s community-driven NIL deals

Speaking of partnerships, one of the key NIL deals that Miles signed was with Stackwell Capital, a digital investment platform dedicated to bridging the racial wealth gap, on 12th November 2023. Through this collaboration, Miles has become the face of an institution that provides financial education and $25-seeded investment accounts to every Notre Dame student-athlete.

Working with Stackwell for me was a must because of how much I believe in their mission,” Miles explained in an interview with Sports Illustrated about her decision to stand with Stackwell. “I always want to make sure that I am an advocate for athletes and my community first and foremost, so when this opportunity came about, it was the perfect fit for what my goals are off the court.”

 

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This itself represents her vision of working for the betterment of her community off the court.

In fact, this quality of Miles was something that caught the eye of Stackwell founder Trevor Rozier-Byrd, who praised her vision, stating, “To us, Olivia very clearly represents the next generation of leaders in sports, business, and finance that we want to align ourselves with as we continue to scale the impact of our company. We are excited to be part of Olivia’s leadership journey as she further positions herself as an advocate for other student-athletes on Notre Dame’s campus and nationally.

This vision has allowed Miles’ to take her NIL ventures beyond traditional brand endorsements.

As witnessed with another NIL deal of hers with “Playa Society”, a lifestyle brand focused on elevating women’s sports, where she currently holds the title of Director of Growth and Innovation. As part of her role, she designed a limited-edition t-shirt featuring the tagline “See No Limits” (a nod to her on-court energy and vision).

This is not a one-time, come-and-go NIL deal,” Miles said. “I have the opportunity to work with Playa Society beyond my t-shirt launch… This is definitely a unique partnership and absolutely different from my other deals.”

Esther Wallace, Playa Society’s founder, added, in an interview with Boardroom TV, “We’re all really big fans of Olivia’s game, her on-court energy, confidence, and her overall vibe. But what’s even better is that we know we have a shared interest in making a big mark on women’s basketball as a whole.”

For Miles, this collaboration is a reflection of her drive to push boundaries and contribute to the growth of women’s sports, both as an athlete and an advocate.

Olivia Miles trailblazing off the court with NIL deals

But what attracts these NIL deals towards Miles? Well, one of the key factors is her dominant on-court performance.

In fact, despite facing an injury that sidelined her for the entirety of the 2023-2024 season, Miles has maintained her impact in the sports world. In the 2024-25 season, she has averaged a total of 18.6 points while grabbing 8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. which was a direct reflection and improvement from her previous statline of 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in her 2022-23 season.

Another factor could be her adaptability. “Working together with Olivia, we are always seeking out meaningful partnerships that not only represent her commitment to excellence on the court but off the court as well,” noted her agent, Kailey Edwards of Voltage Management, while highlighting Olivia’s adaptability to attain excellence both on and off the court.

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via Imago

The final factor would be her potential. As she returns to battle it out as a senior this year, Miles is also a projected top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, where experts predict her to go fourth overall to the Washington Mystics. ESPN lauds her for her talent and potential, emphasizing her ability to lead and her success as part of a legacy of Notre Dame guards excelling in the WNBA, making her a very marketable asset for various brands.

Olivia Miles’ journey reflects the changing landscape of college sports, where athletes are no longer just competitors but also business leaders and advocates. From designing apparel to championing financial literacy, her off-court endeavors align seamlessly with her on-court excellence.

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In Miles’ words, “I’m big on building relationships, maintaining and growing those partnerships. Being a part of a greater cause to push women’s sports forward is incredibly important to me.

As she continues her recovery and prepares for her return, Olivia Miles is not just setting the bar for future athletes—she’s elevating it. Her achievements in basketball, NIL, and advocacy position her as a role model for the next generation, proving that true greatness transcends the game.

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