Before NCAA Conclusion, Anna DeBeer Reflected on NIL’s Life-Changing Impact During College Volleyball Career: “Take Advantage”

The dust has settled down after the Sunday night mega finale in the KFC Yum, Center of downtown Louisville. In the electric showdown between the Penn State and the Louisville Cardinals, the latter had the hometown advantage. But, the Cardinals had to settle down for the runner-up position, as the Penn State Nittany Lions took home the victory in the 2024 NCAA Division 1 women’s Volleyball finals. However, with the conclusion of this year’s NCAA women’s Volleyball finals, Anna DeBeer’s collegiate Volleyball story also marked an end. 

The Sunday game could have been DeBeer’s last game in her five-year-long college career. But her injury stopped her from appearing on the court and taking an active role in helping her teammates in winning the game. However, before bidding a final goodbye to the Cardinals, the 6′ outside hitter has something to teach her successors.

Apart from showing fireworks on the court, Anna’s approach toward the NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals remained somehow riveting. But what was her approach? 

Anna DeBeer’s escape from daily routine became profitable for her 

Months before the NCAA Division 1 Volleyball Championship final, Anna DeBeer caught up with Tori Dilfer-Stringer to discuss her life away from the volleyball court. In the tête-à-tête, Tori asked her about utilizing social media usage in DeBeer’s own growth. The question provided Anna an opportunity to open up on her approach toward NIL deals.

Entering freshman year in the wake of NIL’s introduction, DeBeer had to see her social media usage through a different lens to get the better of the deals. How? The outside hitter laid out, “I just literally just wanted to do it like I just think it’s so cool just to be able to use social media and help build your brand, like really showcase who you are outside of the sport and that’s kind of what I did so my freshman year when NIL was just starting.” Keep in mind that she used to be an avid social media user. So, for her, fitting in wasn’t a problem. Yet a few things followed by her could be a lesson for the upcoming crops. 

Anna DeBeer didn’t hold herself back from spilling more notes for the learners. She didn’t have much idea about a systemic process or the impact the deals could have brought. “I didn’t really know how like it could be like how much of an impact NIL could have now that we can have those opportunities as athletes and really just take advantage of the opportunities,” she said. But Anna had basic knowledge. On social media, she could post her praise over her favorite brands. That wouldn’t cost her. And she did exactly the same thing. 

In her initial college years, the Louisville native followed her preferences on social media. Anna mentioned it, stating, “I really just tried to get more consistent with posting on social media and, like, reaching out to brands that I love and just it doesn’t even have to be, like, the biggest brands like I’m talking everyday stuff, like hair care, skincare, like anything you use on the daily.” She didn’t have many expectations. She was happy to receive “Just free products and just free stuff” she used to like in exchange for her postings. For Anna, that was “awesome.” But what did she actually receive for her social media postings? 

The brands followed back the outside hitter 

On the browsing page of the NIL store of Lousiville, Anna DeBeer has her own locker room tab. No, it wasn’t about keeping her own dresses. But it came as a merchandise shop. Like? The fans could buy a tee, sweatshirt, and hoodie of different colors. And all this came with her special impression. The fans would have to buy those from the official website of the Louisville NIL store. Furthermore, DeBeer would receive a certain amount from each sale of the merchandise. Wasn’t that something concerned with extra earnings? Well, for Anna, there was more. 

As per On3’s listing, Anna DeBeer held several NIL deals in her college years. In 2022, she inked a deal with Bright Swimwear. In 2023, the number of deals increased. Those came from brands like Lulus, Hyperice, Kentucky Proud, Raising Cane’s, and Adidas. Next year, the list was shortened. Nonetheless, it had attractive names like Dippin Daisy’s, FabFitFun, Out Of System, and Maely’s Cosmetics.

Anna DeBeer has an NIL profile on Opendorse. The fans can invite her to post videos or lines for them on her social media. She can also share autographs or give a shout-out in the exchange of dimes. It is all about her following her own favorites. Isn’t that a straightforward route to land NIL X deals? What do you think about this?