NIL has become a kind of virtual musical chair for all the athletes in this country. And the stakes could not be higher in this LSU story. Olivia ‘Livvy’ Dunne is already a TikTok whiz at the ring and an LSU gymnast star with a following that has made her a NIL legend with a price tag well into the millions. But now that TikTok is in the crosshairs of a ban, her empire could land on an untimely crash landing and create some shockwaves as a result.

Because of Livvy Dunne’s power on social media, she is officially the queen of NIL in college sports. Since Livvy’s 8 million followers on TikTok, deals from Grubhub to American Eagle have been flying in. Her TikTok isn’t a place for gymnastics and laughs. It’s a money-making machine. All that would disappear overnight if TikTok were put on the block in the US. This ban will mean Livvy loses the main platform that shaped her into a social media celebrity.

This isn’t to say the TikTok shutdown could negatively impact Livvy’s NIL valuation at about $4.2 million right now. One of the most followed athletes in the NCAA, Livvy’s TikTok is the secret sauce of her NIL appeal. Otherwise, she will lose engagement and the privileges of premium brand partnerships powered by her massive, passionate TikTok following. I mean, the recent funny post she did on setting up her LinkedIn account for a ‘post-TikTok’ world is cute, but the possibility of losing this major revenue stream isn’t funny.

But in true Livvy fashion, she’s laughing through the unknown. Who can forget that TikTok video where she said, “Getting my LinkedIn ready… Me when my diploma comes 3 days before the TikTok ban,” using the hashtag #riptiktok? And if anyone could turn around, Livvy could. But with such a major platform getting banned, holding her NIL advantage is tough.

Livvy Dunne doesn’t just do floor gymnastics; she’s set records and scored swank. 9.925 career score at uneven bars, she’s helped propel LSU’s gymnastics team to new heights. She’s been consistent, and at the NCAA championships is where she’s being a revelation that’s getting people talking about her moves and the Tigers talking about her.

How about her relationship with LSU football’s golden boy Garrett Nussmeier, whose personal friend isn’t a tabloid figure, but their dedication to LSU is. They are both all-stars on their respective teams, both have been the face of the university at high-profile gatherings such as SEC Media Days, and if they don’t hold out a “best friend” title in public, it’s obvious that they have a shared connection through LSU’s athletic excellence. Livvy and Garrett are doing it all, be it making records or sweating for LSU. Both of them are proving that the world can sparkle.

Garrett Nussmeier set to thrive

And if Livvy is about to lose a sizable amount, there’s one more LSU player who’s climbing the NIL ranks and is ready to claim the spotlight. The Tigers’ starting QB Garrett Nussmeier is headed toward becoming LSU’s highest-scoring NIL producer. Garrett has steadily climbed up to become one of the most marketable players in college football, even though he is 9th with a value of $3.6 million in NIL. And as Livvy’s NIL may be in question, Nussmeier could leapfrog himself to #1 in Baton Rouge.

Garrett’s NIL is fuelled by more than his football exploits — it is also fuelled by smart brand connections. From a Cheez-It deal (that got him a night in a Cheez-It room during the Citrus Bowl) to working with local firms such as Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, Garrett’s name is becoming synonymous with top-level NIL deals. This top QB also has a role in EA Sports’s “College Football 25” video game.

But don’t be fooled by those statements. Garrett’s play has been just as key to his NIL build-up. He was the star QB who took LSU to a 9-4 record in 2024. And threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. This under-pressure performance was shown on full display in the ReliaQuest Bowl, throwing for 395 yards and three touchdowns in an upset win over Wisconsin. If Garrett keeps up the same level of play, look for more brands to come knocking on his door looking to cash in on his star status.

Garrett Nussmeier is not social media fluff yet but results-driven NIL gold right now. He has the right mix of off-field success and contract negotiations to move up the NIL list. When Livvy’s TikTok shit starts to break up, Garrett’s gonna blitz ahead, maybe taking over LSU’s throne. His steady uphills and dependability from a diverse set of play (and haters) could be LSU’s next NIL juggernaut.

As the NIL environment is evolving, the influence of social media channels such as TikTok is a fact. This has been the linchpin to Livvy Dunne’s success in NIL. And while she’s been the lightning rod, Garrett Nussmeier has been slowly building his empire behind the scenes. Livvy may be off a cliff with the TikTok suspension. But it’s Nussmeier who could take her place on top of that chart. And help LSU reverse its NIL slide.