After Bronny James’ NIL Decline, Olivia Dunne Can Break His $5.9 Million Record With Crucial Decision

The NIL (name, image, and likeness) valuation ranking has a new champion now. With Shedeur Sanders leading the board, Olivia Dunne and Bronny James share the second place with a $3.7M NIL valuation. The athlete’s On3 NIL value is usually calculated by a player’s success in their respective sport, popularity, and recognizability, and followers on various social media platforms. Also, there have been some recent updates around NIL valuations that the NCAA has decided on. Will this affect Dunne’s NIL value?

In the 2023 season when Bronny James joined the USC Trojans, his NIL value was around 5.9 million because of the deals he signed with PSD Underwear, Nike, and Beats by Dre. However, LeBron James‘ son’s journey took a downturn in July 2023 after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a practice session. His absence from the court lasted close to five months; during that time, his NIL valuation dipped to 4.5 million.

But, when the NBA prospect returned in December, he failed to perform well and even his team did not qualify for the March Madness. Last season, Bronny just played 25 games and averaged 4.8 points, 2.1 assists,  2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 19.4 minutes per game. Unfortunately, his value further decreased to $3.7 million by 2024. Contrastingly, Olivia Dunne’s trajectory appears to be improving further on the brink of smashing records, potentially surpassing Bronny’s still untouched NIL value of $5.9 million.

In Livvy’s freshman season (2021), in her first collegiate meet, she scored a 9.875. In the NCAA Championships on bars, she scored 9.90 and she finished with an average bars score of 9.844. That season, Dunne achieved the honor of being selected as a WCGA Academic All-American and was named to the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll. During her sophomore season (2022) she averaged a 9.786 on bars and a 9.854 on floor and in the 2023 season, Livvy recorded a season-high of 9.850 on bars at the SEC Championships and averaged a 9.788 on the event for the year. Although she appeared in only 4 meets for the Tigers, whenever she did, she made her mark. On LSU senior night she even received a perfect 10 on the beam from a judge.

Olivia Dunne has solidified her position as one of the most financially successful female athletes in NCAA history. Olivia has risen professionally as well after her team, LSU secured its first national championship this year. Now that Livvy has an extra year of eligibility granted because of the pandemic, extending her time until April 2025. But as of now, the decision on her coming back for another season with LSU hangs on a thread.

Before the National Championship, Livvy had said that the title remained her sole focus. As that target stands fulfilled. However, there are several options for Livvy apart from continuing with the LSU. She can choose to be a full-time influencer or become a sports commentator, to name a few. What she chooses will be crucial for her. But probably among these, staying with the LSU will benefit her the most.

Dunne’s recent NCAA champion status opens doors to more sponsorship opportunities, building on her existing deals with major clothing brands like American Eagle, Forever 21, and Vuori, with the potential for even more partnerships ahead. Considering Livvy’s current standing, surpassing Bronny’s former NIL value it does not look far-fetched. But will translating the success in NIL terms be easy?

NCAA announces NIL and transfer rule changes

While there was a lot of back and forth on how athletes and institutions have to deal with transfers and NILs. On April 24, 2024, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors ratified transfers and the NIL rule changed. It was announced that, with immediate effect, Division I student-athletes can have access to additional school assistance with NIL activities and more flexibility to transfer.

So institutions can identify NIL opportunities and facilitate deals between student-athletes and third parties. It also mentioned that student-athletes are not obligated to accept any assistance from the school and must maintain authority over the terms in their NIL agreements. Beginning Aug. 1, member schools will be permitted to increase NIL-related support only for student-athletes who disclose their NIL arrangements.

Earlier this month Bronny James announced his intention to enter the NBA draft and enter the transfer portal, departing from the USC Trojans. This move could widen the gap in his career trajectory, further impacting his NIL value. On the other hand, Dunne has not revealed her decision about what is next. But with the number of sponsorships in her pocket, the new rules would not make much of a difference to her. But the coming days are going to be crucial for both Olivia Dunne and Bronny James. For now, it seems that the course of their professional careers holds the key to their financial standings.