Guess who opted out of a Nike deal, the same brand that helped them become the first female track and field athlete to sign an NIL deal in its history? Well, six-time NCAA champion and cross-country athlete Parker Valby did just that. As of Thursday, news surrounding the 5000m and 10,000m NCAA record holder switching their sponsorship deal that will take her beyond the 2028 L.A. Games has taken center stage. 

Even before winning her first NCAA title in 2023, Parker Valby landed the lucrative NIL with Nike. A right-of-first-refusal clause—whose validity expired six months after her final Florida Gators race—allowed the brand to 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.

Ultimately, Parker’s father, Kyle, a pharmaceutical company executive used to negotiating multimillion-dollar deals, came forward as her manager by passing the World Athletics agent exam in June. Valby and her dad delayed her pro signing as much as they could, which elevated the chances of her negotiating with other companies. Considering the usual business wherein high-profile athletes like Valby announce pro deals as soon as the outdoor NCAA season ends, Kyle and Parker took her sweet time exploring listed names like Nike, Puma, On, and many others for one dignified reason. 

“Many of the companies wanted to approach Parker’s contract as a transaction, simply crossing out one athlete’s name and putting in Parker’s, crossing out their compensation and putting in Parker’s,” Kyle Valby told Runner’s World. “They wanted Parker to fall in line with what everybody else was doing.”The news is out now that Valby has signed a pro deal with New Balance. Valby has already moved to Boston to live in temporary quarters to train with her coach, Mark Coogan, before finding a furnished residence.

In a phone call with Runner’s World on Oct 11, she said, “The company felt like the right fit for me, and I’m super excited to get going with them and super excited for what’s to come. It’s awesome to finally be here and get to train with the [team]. “I am just listening to what Mark tells me to do. We’ll build a good base, get ready for some indoor races, a good spring, obviously the big goal is Worlds in September.” 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 via Pete Riley, who heads New Balance sports marketing for running. 

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, “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 Tampa native hope for a fitting end to the trials. But at the 5000m, she missed the qualifying mark by finishing fourth. 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. 

Parker Valby will now join Olympians like Elle St. Pierre, Emily Mackay, and Heather MacLean in the new coaching 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!!!” Valby didn’t shy away from expressing her excitement to the 200m Olympic gold medalist, “I’m super excited to get going with them and super excited for what’s to come.” And it won’t be long before fans are treated to what this fresh partnership will bring.