Have you ever heard of an athlete accepting a contract with a different shoe business after having an NIL (name, image, and likeness) deal with another shoe company during her college years? Well, Parker Valby has hit that mark. In recent years, the 22-year-old sprinter has experienced a stellar rise on the track. In her tenure with the Florida Gators, Valby claimed six NCAA titles, coming from events like 3000m, 5000m, and 10000m. Furthermore, her resume displays her as the NCAA record holder for the indoor 5000m, outdoor 5000m, and outdoor 10000m. Such flamboyance had been bound to attract the brands’ eyes from time to time, and it certainly did. 

Even before winning her first NCAA title in 2023, Parker Valby landed the lucrative NIL with Nike. That deal came with a right-of-first-refusal clause. The clause has become a common subject among the marathon runners in recent years. As per such clause, the brands get the first chance on an athlete’s pro contract. So, in Valby’s case, Nike had the upper hand in matching offers from other brands, coming as the pro deal. This clause was in place six months after the runner had been seen in her last race for the Florida Gators. And the same reason worked behind Valby’s appearance at the US Olympic track and field trials, donning Gator’s uniform. However, the question was active on her having the pro deal. 

Ultimately, Parker’s father, Kyle, came forward as her manager. In the meantime, the athlete used the instrument of the first refusal of her NIL deal with Nike. That elevated the chances of her negotiating with other companies. In the next few days, she saw a lot of companies offering her to sign the pro deal. That listed names like Nike, Puma, On, and many others. But Parker and her father remained astute in their demands. Following the fiasco with Nike, they wanted to assess their next steps. Finally, it has come. 

Reportedly, Parker Valby signed her pro deal with New Balance recently. As per the deal, she has now moved to Boston to train with the coaching facility. For her, it is going to be a fresh experience, leaving Florida behind. However, according to her father, the deal is way above the usual pro-signing. In his interaction with Runner’s World, Kyle Valby said, “There are a couple of huge surprises coming soon. This is a historic deal.” The same tone echoed in Pete Riley’s voice. 

Revealing the details of the sponsorship contracts is not a common sight in track and field sports. The fans have yet to know the nitty-gritty of the contract Noah Lyles has signed with Adidas. But a certain disclosure can fuel the interest. In Lyles’s case, the comparison with Usain Bolt’s dealings has piqued interest. However, on Valby’s occasion, the ‘surprise’ element has drawn attention. After Kyle, Pete Riley backed that certain part. 

Per Riley, the chief of New Balance sports marketing for running, the deal will be at the place, even after the LA 2028 Olympics. Additionally, he shared, “I can’t get into the details of it, but there are going to be things coming that are going to certainly excite a young audience, especially a high school athlete.” Yet, to get a touch with it, the fans will have to wait a few more days. However, Parker Valby feels elated about her new beginning. 

Parker Valby is going to join the Olympians in her new track abode

This year, in the US Olympic track and field trials, Parker Valby entered with a lot of highlights. After all, who gets a shot at the NCAA record book and the Olympic trials at just 21 years of age? Naturally, the achievement gave the Pennsylvania native hope for a fitting end to the trials. But at the 5000m, she missed the qualifying mark by finishing the race in fourth place. The lack of sponsorship doubled her suffering at that moment. She had no answer to landing a deal of that kind. But now, the situation has changed. 

As per the rules, Parker Valby will join Olympians like Elle St. Pierre, Emily Mackay, and Heather MacLean in the new coaching facility. She will now train under Mark Coogan in the Boston-based facility. If those names fall short of garnering interest, then Parker Valby has a well-wisher who has three gold medals from the Paris Olympics. 

Last night, sprinter Gabby Thomas shared a welcome note for Parker Valby. In her Instagram story, the New Balance athlete wrote, “Welcome to the family, @parkervalby!!!” As a result, Valby described her feelings by commenting, “I’m super excited to get going with them and super excited for what’s to come.” Fans are now eagerly awaiting what this fresh partnership will bring.