Do you know how everything you do in the spotlight gets picked apart, especially when you’re dating someone as famous as Olivia Dunne? A social media sensation, NIL star, and gymnast. Well, Paul Skenes, her boyfriend, just learned that the hard way. He teamed up with the Sinise Foundation for an awesome cause, right? Donation! But instead of just getting credit for doing something good, fans quickly turned it into something else. What was meant to be a heartfelt gesture became the subject of online jokes, with people saying his involvement was just “the allowance his girlfriend gives him.” Yep, it got pretty wild. So, what exactly happened?

Last week, baseball fans got a refreshing dose of good news when Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes announced he’d be matching every dollar donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation, up to $575,000. His announcement via Gary Sinise himself came in light of Giving Tuesday, a day all about supporting causes, and it not only showed his dedication to social issues but also gave a big boost to a foundation that’s all about helping veterans. But while his gesture was definitely generous, it sparked a little more attention than he probably expected.

The Gary Sinise Foundation has been doing amazing work for years, supporting veterans and their families through resources and wellness programs. With Skenes’ matching pledge, the foundation’s reach just got a major upgrade. Paul’s gift, coupled with Gary’s foundation, will do wonders for the veterans. This partnership is all about supporting those who’ve served, and thanks to Skenes’ initiative, even more veterans will likely benefit from the foundation’s incredible work. However, when the news made its way to Reddit, some fans couldn’t resist making jokes about Paul Skenes and involving Olivia Dunne in it.

Fans roast Paul Skenes amid Olivia Dunne’s NIL decline

One fan recently joked, “His gf is also the second-highest paid collegiate athlete too. Not just in gymnastics, but in all of college sports. Shedeur Sanders (Deion’s son) is #1. So he can bum some lunch money off of her 🤣.” And while that’s a funny take, there’s some truth to it. Olivia Dunne was once ranked as the second-highest in NIL value, with her worth hitting $3.9 million before her final year at LSU. But as the season went on, her ranking started slipping. By December 3rd, Olivia dropped to third place, overtaken by Arch Manning, whose value shot up to $4.8 million. Then, just a day later, Olivia fell again to fourth place with a valuation of $4.2 million, trailing both Manning and Travis Hunter. Shedeur Sanders is still holding strong at number one with a massive $6.2 million. Even so, Olivia’s still a powerhouse in the NIL space, and her legacy in college sports is far from fading.

But Olivia Dunne’s not the only one making waves—Paul Skenes is also crushing it. Last year, he was selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, and now he’s already being recognized as one of the top pitchers in the league. On 28th November, he finished third in the voting for the 2024 National League Cy Young Award. He also snagged a second-place vote for NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year, which ultimately went to Chris Sale. Skenes is one of only seven Pirates pitchers to ever finish in the top three for a Cy Young, and he’s the first since John Smiley in 1991. So, while Olivia’s ranking might have slipped a bit, both of them are definitely still making their mark in their respective sports.

Some fans had some pretty strong reactions to Paul Skenes’ recent involvement in a charitable cause. One commenter joked, “He looks like he is giving a statement against his will. Seriously this looks like an isis hostage video. I think someone kidnapped this young man and forced him to read that statement!” Another added, “It’s from the allowance his girlfriend gives him.” Someone else chimed in, “That seems like a lot of money for a rookie.”

Last year, when Skenes signed a deal with a record-breaking $9.2 million signing bonus—the largest ever handed out to a player in the MLB draft. His contract includes a base salary of $740,000 annually, with the rest of the deal tied up in that massive bonus. Doing the math, that puts him close to the $10 million mark in net worth, not including any endorsement deals he might have lined up. So, it looks like he and Olivia Dunne are pretty much neck-and-neck in the earnings department. With Skenes having an incredible rookie year, boasting a 10-2 record and a 2.10 ERA, his salary is only going to rise when he hits arbitration in years 3-6. After that, he’ll be a free agent and could be in line for even more money. The future is definitely looking bright for both of them.

One fan couldn’t help but hype him up, saying, “What a fu**ing BRO! Awesome, Skenes!!!” And while some might tease him, his announcement has actually sparked a bigger conversation about athletes and philanthropy. It’s not just about one player doing something good—it’s about a shift in how we view athletes and their role in society. Fans are looking for their sports heroes to take action that goes beyond the game. It’s clear that people want athletes like Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes to use their platforms for more than just personal gain—they want them to make a difference.