“I’ve not decided if I’m coming back for a fifth year yet,” is what Olivia Dunne said in March 2024. However, just a month later, everything would change. In April 2024, the LSU star realized her dream of winning the NCAA championship with the Tigers. Finally winning a national title after four years of dedication and setbacks was a feeling Dunne wasn’t ready to let go.

“Winning is addicting, let me tell ya,” the 21-year-old said in The Money Game season 1 finale. Yet, winning wasn’t the only catalyst that ignited Dunne’s hunger for competition once again. The Prime Video series revealed the gymnast signed a multi-million dollar NIL deal with Passes. The “emerging” social media platform hopes to create revenue for creators like Dunne through offering exclusive content to fans.

When asked if the NIL played a role in her decision during the finale, Dunne nodded in agreement. “I mean brands do like that I’m a student-athlete. I won’t lie,” Livvy Dunne said in Episode 6: Love of the Game. Olivia Dunne, who got a fifth year thanks to COVID-19 derailing the first year, will continue to enjoy the benefits of NIL as a college athlete. However, the bread deals weren’t the only reasons behind the 21-year-old changing her mind!

For four years, the LSU Tigers member had strived to reach her NCAA dream. However, through this time, recurring injuries appeared as obstacles to her success. Throughout her time at LSU, Dunner suffered injuries such as two torn labrums, a torn bicep, and a recurring case of shin splints. However, it was the medial tibial stress syndrome that became a thorn in Livvy’s side.

Although the torn labrums and biceps helped, the stress injury would put Olivia Dunne out of action more than once. In fact, had it not healed by February 2024, Dunne would have watched from the sidelines as her NCAA dream passed her by. “I love gymnastics, but I would also love my body to be in one piece,” Dunne said. And this is why she was ready to retire after the 2024 season.

However, earning LSU’s first-team NCAA title, Olivia Dunne knew she wanted to give it another shot. After all, she battled through prolonged injuries to make history once, and couldn’t miss out on adding to that legacy. Yet there was good reason why Livvy risked it all in her fourth year.

Olivia Dunne wanted to prove a point

Besides fulfilling her childhood dream as a gymnast, Livvy Dunner wanted to give a stern answer to her doubters. The 21-year-old garnered a massive fan base with 13 million followers across social media. However, with great reach came those looking to put her down. Many would ‘troll’ the LSU Tigers star for her absences due to injuries.

Many labeled Olivia Dunne as a “professional benchwarmer” and even doubted her as a gymnast. While Livvy’s coach, Jay Clark, advised her to block out the negative gossip, it also acted as fuel for the gymnastics icon. For what seemed like her final shot at the NCAA title, Dunne wouldn’t let the haters have the last laugh.

Additionally, there was also the fact that LSU was the final destination for her gymnastics career. “For our sport, there’s no NBA, there’s no NFL,” the LSU Tigers coach said in Episode 6, solidifying the finality of Dunne’s competitive career. Hence, Dunne, who was still unsure about her fifth before winning the national title in April, left it all on the mat. However, now, Dunne’s fans can’t wait to see her don the Tigers leotard once again in 2025.