Catching eyes with Mondo Duplantis, who recently won the men’s pole vault gold medal and set a new world record at the 2024 Paris Olympics, feels like a dream come true. And guess what? A 21-year-old track and field athlete got this chance. But that’s not all; he also received an offer to sign a deal with Red Bull, the global leader in the energy drink market. Red Bull has been quite selective in partnering with college student-athletes for NIL deals. For this Texas Longhorn track and field athlete, it truly is a “dream deal.”

Sam Hurley is redifining the landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college sports. With 3.5 million followers on TikTok and 1 million on Instagram, he stands out as one of the most influential NIL athletes of the day. Represented by WME Sports, Hurley proves that success in NIL isn’t limited to traditional football or basketball stars. His journey showcases the potential for athletes from all sports to thrive in this new era of opportunities—just like he did with that recent signing with Red Bull—which is a huge milestone in itself. To top it off, he even got an invitation from Mondo Duplantis afterward.

Red Bull recently shared an exciting post on Instagram featuring a video of Mondo Duplantis welcoming NCAA athlete Sam Hurley into the Red Bull family. Mondo even hugged him and presented him with a custom white-and-red cap. Hurley couldn’t contain his excitement about receiving this honor from Duplantis, sharing that he wouldn’t have accepted it from anyone else in the world. As he put it, “There’s no one in the world I’d rather give me this hat,” showcasing just how much this moment meant to him as a Texas Longhorns athlete.

Sam also asked if he could wear the cap, to which Mondo replied, “It’s all yours, bro!” Hurley’s excitement was palpable as he donned the hat. Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, he competes in the decathlon, excelling in running, pole vaulting, and high jumping. Apart from the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness update, Hurley has landed several brand deals.

With Sam’s eyes set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, he aims to expand his social media following and content skills while continuing to dominate in the high jump and pole vault. Currently ranked 90th on On3.com, he boasts an impressive NIL valuation close to almost 1 million with an exact valuation of $941K. In this evolving environment, Sam’s “bro,” Mondo Duplantis, stands out as another prime example of success.

Mondo Duplantis wears many hats as an athlete

Athleticism definitely runs in the Duplantis family! Mondo’s dad, Greg, is a pole vaulting legend. His mom, Helena, is an accomplished heptathlete, so it’s no surprise that both of them coach Mondo in pole vaulting. He actually started his journey in the sport at just three years old, thanks to a pole vaulting setup they had at their home in Louisiana.

As of 2024, Mondo Duplantis has an estimated net worth of around $5 million, reflecting his hard work and success through prize money, endorsements, and sponsorship deals. Since turning professional in 2019, he has become a key ambassador for Puma, showcasing his elite status in pole vaulting and significantly boosting his income while aligning perfectly with Puma’s athletic image.

Mondo Duplantis has scored a big deal with Red Bull, which really boosts his visibility and financial success as a dynamic athlete. Plus, he and his girlfriend, Desire Inglander, recently made headlines by appearing in Vogue Scandinavia in June 2024. It’s a great sign of how Mondo is expanding his influence into the lifestyle and fashion world!