Ah, the NCAA’s NIL policy—the gift that keeps on giving. Designed to let college athletes cash in on their brands, it was supposed to be a win for athletes. But for some, it’s starting to feel a little too much like “pay for play.” And just when the debate seemed to settle, the NCAA dropped its latest NIL rankings on X, and let’s just say, fans completely lost it.

The Top 10 Women’s On3 NIL Valuations featured some familiar names, but what sent the internet into a meltdown? Olivia Dunne and Donald Trump’s granddaughter are sitting pretty at the top. Since then, the debate has been nonstop, with fans furious, divided, and demanding answers. So, what exactly happened?

Well, as the update suggests, the LSU sensation and fifth-year returnee Olivia Dunne is at the top of the NIL list. And that too with a net worth of $4.1 million. But right behind her are other college stars, such as LSU’s own Flau’jae Johnson, who tops the basketball list. While Uconn’s Paige Bueckers has also recently become a powerhouse on the court. But yet, what is it that has enraged the netizens?

According to the update, Olivia Dunne, social media sensation and LSU fifth student, sits comfortably at No. 1 with a jaw-dropping $4.1 million valuation. Right behind her is LSU basketball star Flau’jae Johnson ($1.5 million), followed by UConn’s Paige Bueckers, whose skills (and social media following) make her as much of a powerhouse online as she is on the court. But what set the internet ablaze?

High school golf prodigy Kai Trump has swung her way into an impressive fourth place in the NIL rankings, despite still being in high school. With just a few years of experience under her belt, she’s already earning $1.2 million, ranking higher than athletes with way more experience. Included in the list is itself an achievement for her.

Meanwhile, basketball’s favorite identical duo, the Cavinder twins, take fifth and sixth, Hailey Van Lith lands seventh, softball star NiJaree Canady takes eighth, and USC’s JuJu Watkins and college tennis player Anna Frey round out the top ten. And let’s just say… fans were NOT having it.

The moment the rankings dropped, the debate went from interesting discussion to full-blown chaos. How did Olivia Dunne and Kai Trump, especially, land in the top five? Some argue it’s all about marketability and influence. And fans? They didn’t hold back. Social media turned into a battleground, with heated takes, wild conspiracy theories, and more fury than a judge deducting points for an unpointed toe.

Olivia Dunne, Kai Trump, and the NIL rankings that have fans shook

One fan fumed, “What the fuck does Trump’s niece do?” while another ranted, “Not going to insult a HS kid—good on you, get your money. But there’s something skewed when Trump’s granddaughter is higher than JuJu Watkins for playing golf. She’s higher than Michael Penix last year. She’s higher than the rest of the golf pool (women’s & men’s) combined.”

A third simply added, “Who is #4 on this list!? Ridiculous!” The frustration is clear—Kai Trump is just 17, still in high school, and yet she’s ranked among the top college athletes. So… why are fans so mad? Is she not a good athlete? Actually, she is—but she’s also Donald Trump’s granddaughter. She already has over five million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and X, plus nearly a million YouTube subscribers.

And even though she hasn’t started college yet, she secured her first NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards in January, where a pack sells for $199.99 and comes with a random autograph card. Her On3 NIL Valuation ranks her No. 1 in women’s high school golf and No. 81 overall in the On3 NIL 100. That’s right—she’s in high school and already pulling in NIL numbers that most college athletes dream of. But is it all just hype?

Not entirely. Kai Trump has been playing golf since she was two years old, has a sponsorship with Callaway Golf, and even won the Trump Club Women’s Championship at Mar-a-Lago. Her 275-yard drive beats even her grandfather’s best efforts, and with a 0.5 handicap index, she’s got a serious game. She’s also competed in junior tennis tournaments and horseback riding.

But despite her talent, fans can’t get past the fact that she’s ranked higher than some of the best college athletes in the country—before she’s even set foot on a college campus. So, is this NIL done right? Or just another case of influence beating out experience? Either way, the debate isn’t sticking to the landing anytime soon. Some argued that marketability is the entire point of NIL, while others were furious that actual athletic performance seemed secondary.

And oh boy, the internet had taken. “Looks like there’s a strong correlation between being hot and NIL valuations,” one fan noted. Another chimed in, “No shade, but I don’t see Livvy Dunne anywhere. How is she making money? Lol.” And then, of course, there was this gem: “Being hot pays cause Livvy gets more $$ than Olympic champions lmao.” Like it or not, Olivia Dunne is THE face of NIL. So why is Dunne on top of the NIL world?

Well, she’s not just a gymnast—she’s a full-blown social media empire. Currently, in her final year at LSU, Dunne is balancing her NCAA career with being the highest-paid female college athlete. Her following is massive, with 5.4 million followers on Instagram and 8 million on TikTok. This level of influence can turn into serious cash. But let’s talk about her brand partnerships.

Think Vuori, American Eagle, Accelerator Active Energy, and more. Meanwhile, fans argue that more skilled and deserving athletes are left behind simply because they don’t have a social media empire. Love her or hate her, Livvy Dunne has figured out the NIL game better than anyone.

One more fan added, “Does Jordan Chiles count?” Another chimed in, “This is nuts… exactly why NIL is ruining college sports.” And honestly, they’ve got a point. Jordan Chiles already has two Olympic medals under her belt, including one gold and one silver. Meanwhile, Olivia Dunne, LSU’s gymnastics sensation and social media powerhouse, is wrapping up her fifth and final year. And she comfortably sits at No. 1 on the NIL list.

But surprisingly, she has zero Olympic medals. That’s where fans start pinching themselves. And that’s where the NCAA’s NIL policy stands. There is an ongoing debate, with some athletes winning big and others feeling left behind. And fans everywhere are questioning what’s fair.