The Paris Olympics really hit Jordan Chiles hard when her bronze medal got stripped, but surprisingly, it led to some great opportunities for her. You know how they say, “Everything happens for a reason”? Well, Jordan’s still in the fight for her medal, and maybe this whole experience is just meant to keep her grounded.

Despite the heartbreak, it’s actually boosted Chiles’ chances for sponsorships and marketing deals this season. In a world where men usually take the spotlight, Jordan and fellow gymnast Livvy Dunne are shaking things up. They’re not just getting attention from the sports media; big sponsors are lining up to offer them million-dollar deals. It feels like they’re pulling up their socks and starting a real revolution in the NCAA!

Well, Jordan Chiles is a standout student at UCLA, and she’s at the forefront of the university’s efforts to help women athletes breakthrough in the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings. It’s surprising to see that only 12 schools publicly disclose NIL earnings by sport and gender, with men reaping the majority of the benefits.

However, UCLA is stepping up in a big way to bridge the NIL earnings gap with the help of Chiles. Jordan Chiles was involved in seven of the largest NIL deals for UCLA gymnastics, and her return after winning the team all-around gold in Paris is sure to skyrocket the demand for her sponsorships and marketing opportunities. UCLA’s proactive approach is positioning the university as a leader in promoting equity between male and female athletes in NIL earnings, paving the way for future generations. But LSU isn’t far behind, with their star gymnast and social media sensation, Olivia Dunne, helping the LSU Tigers close the gap in NIL earnings between genders.

Olivia Dunne has made waves, earning an astounding $9.5 million in NIL deals. As she heads into her fifth season, she’s set to push those numbers even higher. LSU’s women athletes collectively earned $10.2 million, just shy of the men’s $12 million, with only a 10 percent gap separating the two. Both Jordan Chiles, at UCLA and Olivia Dunne at LSU are making strides toward achieving compensation equality in men’s and women’s sports, though there is still progress to be made in this area.

What’s even more impressive is Olivia Dunne holds the position of being the second highest-earning college athlete in NIL deals currently valued at $4 million behind Shedeur Sanders, who stands at $6.1 million. There was a period when Jordan Chiles was also the top performer, pushing the boundaries towards the number one spot.

With millions in NIL deals, Olivia Dunne and Jordan Chiles are revolutionizing college sports for women

Before stepping out of school to dedicate herself to preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics competition, Jordan Chiles established herself as one of the leading athletes in terms of NIL earnings in 2023. Her significant income significantly contributed to nearly equalizing the funds generated by UCLA women’s sports teams with those of the men’s teams following the conclusion of the 2023 NCAA season.

With the women’s programs garnering $3.2 million, just $200 thousand less than the total earnings of $3.4 million means teams amount. Jordan’s impact has significantly contributed to achieving status in this context through valuable partnerships, with well-known brands such as Danone and Sanofi as well as BUBBL’R advertising deals that have raised her NIL worth to an approximate $318k mark, per ON3 reports.

While UCLA didn’t reveal the specific details of its athletes’ earnings, it’s clear that Chiles’ success has been a game-changer for the women’s programs. However, when it comes to NIL earnings, Olivia Dunne still holds the top spot among women NIL valuations in college sports.

Both Chiles and Dunne, however, face the same inevitable challenge that all college athletes do—eligibility limits. While the COVID pandemic extended the eligibility period for some, their time in college competition is ticking down. Thankfully, both Chiles and Dunne have announced they will take their fifth and final eligibility year, much to the delight of their fans and, no doubt, the financial departments at UCLA and LSU. Their return ensures that their programs and the NIL deals they’ve attracted will continue to thrive for one more season.