LSU isn’t just a college; it’s a launchpad for athletes to crush it both in and out of the NCAA arena. Just ask Olivia Dunne, who casually dropped jaws on the Full Send podcast in 2023 by admitting she earns well over $500,000 per post. From a multi-million dollar NIL deal with Passes to collaborations with fashion giants like Forever 21 and American Eagle, Forbes also casually let slip that her deal with Vuori alone is six figures. With a whopping $4.2 million NIL valuation, Livvy isn’t just the highest-paid female NCAA athlete—she’s the only woman in the top five of the On3 rankings. But Livvy’s not the only Tiger cashing in on NIL deals. The LSU Tigers NIL Store lets fans grab officially licensed merch while stuffing cash straight into their favorite athletes’ pockets. And while the bank accounts are growing, so is the gymnastics program’s reputation.

This year, the Tigers clinched their first-ever national championship in the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Tournament—a historic win that sets the stage for an exciting upcoming season. Under Jay Clark’s leadership, the team isn’t just preparing for another stellar run; they’re also making headlines with a six-figure achievement, boosting the program’s stature.

LSU’s Lady Tigers break record for the opening season

According to BVM Sports, Olivia Dunne’s LSU women’s gymnastics team smashed their own record by selling over 8,680 season tickets, outpacing last year’s 8,055. It’s already looking like the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is going to be the place to be this year. Speaking of which, mark your calendars for January 3rd, 2025. That’s when the Tigers kick off their season. And it’s not just about the competition. Expect a crowd to match the excitement, with record-breaking attendance likely in the cards. With over 8,000 seats already snatched up, they’ve racked up a cool $160,000 in ticket sales.

And don’t forget—the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, where the Tigers boast an impressive 267-55-3 record, has been a bit of a lucky charm for LSU. The place has seen some serious gymnastics magic, including three NCAA Super Six Appearances (2013, 2014, 2016). In fact, the 2016 match still holds the record for the biggest crowd, with over 9,900 fans packing the house. If this team’s popularity is any indication, the 2025 season is going to be one for the books. The excitement is already through the roof, and this team, including Olivia Dunne, is ready for their upcoming January 3rd showdown against Iowa State.

Olivia Dunne and Co ready for a LSU vs Iowa State showdown

With major upcoming matches on the horizon, the LSU Tigers women’s gymnastics team will be back at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) on Friday, January 3, to kick off the new year against Iowa State. Not only will they be competing, but the meet will also feature the unveiling of the program’s 2024 National Championship banner—an exciting moment to celebrate their success.

The fan support is off the charts—LSU sold out three consecutive crowds last season and finished No. 1 in the nation for attendance. And speaking of energy, Olivia Dunne is back and ready for the challenge. After a well-deserved break over Thanksgiving (probably her first in months, honestly), she’s back at the grind in Baton Rouge.

If you’ve ever felt that post-holiday slump, Livvy totally gets it. She gave us all a peek at her first day back in the gym on TikTok, sharing the real struggle of getting back into practice mode. “POV: your first practice back after Thanksgiving break,” she wrote, showing her slightly distressed (but definitely joking) side.

But here’s the thing—Olivia Dunne’s not just back for practice; she’s back for the big league. As a senior leader and key player for the 2024 squad, she’s ready to help her team defend their title. No pressure, right? But she’s all in, and this season is about to get even more exciting.