Will the NCAA’s new rules revolutionize college sports or push athletes to the sidelines? The NCAA’s upcoming $2.8 billion settlement is about to shake up college sports, with huge changes to how teams operate and how athletes get paid. Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, colleges will finally be able to pay athletes directly, and the old scholarship limits will be replaced by roster limits. This is big news for athletes like Olivia Dunne, who’s currently dominating LSU’s NIL scene with $4.2M as a senior college gymnast in LSU. But with these new changes, could LSU bring in new talent like Livvy, even as she enters her final year of college?

Olivia Dunne has put LSU gymnastics on the map, helping them snag the latest NCAA championship. Her return for an extra year, due to COVID-19 eligibility rules, gave the Tigers another chance to shine with her on the team. But before she leaves, Dunne’s aiming for one last NCAA title. The exciting part? The NCAA’s new settlement could change the game for LSU. With new NIL rules and the transfer portal in play, LSU has a real opportunity to bring in fresh talent that can continue the momentum Olivia’s built especially as new recruits look to step up once she’s gone.

The changes to roster sizes are going to shake things up for Coach Jay Clark and how he builds the team for the 2025-26 season. Teams will be allowed to have up to 20 players on their rosters, and right now, LSU has 22 gymnasts but only 12 scholarships. With 10 seniors about to graduate, LSU will likely need to fill those spots with fresh faces through the transfer portal. Clark’s pretty pumped about the increased roster size, especially since the talent pool in gymnastics has grown so much over the years. He’s ready to take full advantage of it to make the team even stronger.

From the national championship win to their exposure at the ESPY Awards, they’ve earned LSU a lot of attention. Even though the new settlement might bring some challenges, Clark’s not worried about the future. He’s focused on finding solutions to keep the sport growing and thriving. But would it be easy to fill Olivia Dunne’s shoes?

Olivia Dunne’s impact on LSU gymnastics

Olivia Dunne has completely changed the game for LSU gymnastics and college sports in general. Not only is she a standout gymnast, but she’s also one of the most influential athletes out there today. With her massive social media following (5.4M on Instagram and 8.1M on TikTok), she’s made a name for herself as one of the highest-paid college athletes to her NIL deals. But beyond the money and fame, Olivia has helped shine a huge spotlight on LSU gymnastics, playing a big part in the team’s historic 2024 NCAA Championship win. Sure, she didn’t compete in the finals, but can we say LSU would have gotten there without her influence? She’s been the face of the team, keeping them relevant and on everyone’s radar.

2024 was a huge year for Olivia, filled with accomplishments. She tied her career-high of 9.900 on the floor twice, helping LSU secure a program-best 198.425 score. That helped them reach the NCAA finals, right? Then, there’s her decision to return for her fifth and final year of eligibility, what a commitment to her team and LSU! She wasn’t just about winning titles; she was all in for finishing her journey with her teammates. Plus, Olivia earned the Coaches’ Choice Award for stepping up when needed, staying positive, and leading by example. On top of that, she made it onto Forbes’ Top Creators and 30 Under 30 lists in 2024. Seriously, is there anything this woman can’t do? Whether it’s gymnastic feats or entrepreneurial success, Olivia’s leaving a legacy that’s hard to match. But can anyone really replace her?