NIL

The Women's Sports Boom Is Driven By Leaders With "Purpose"

One of the past year’s biggest trends is a slogan T-shirt with a powerfully succinct message: “Everyone watches women’s sports.” It’s not quite an exaggeration. Viewership for basketball, soccer, and more are on the rise, at both the collegiate and pro levels. WNBA tunnel ‘fits get as much attention as their NBA counterparts. Brands are […]

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1 month ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Women's Sports Boom Is Driven By Leaders With "Purpose"

At Marie Claire‘s Power Play summit in Atlanta on May 15, two-time Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, Atlanta Dream COO and President Morgan Shaw Parker, and Jolene Jolene sports bar founder Chelsea Fishman agreed the attention was long overdue. In a conversation presented by Zales with journalist and analyst Tabitha Turner-Wilkins, they said the state of women’s sports isn’t simply “strong” or “growing.” “I would say, we are up there,” Chiles told the room to applause. Expanding viewership isn’t just on account of their physical prowess; it’s on the passion and purpose they bring.

women on the power play women in sports panel

women onstage at marie claire power play discussing women in sports

Putting their entire selves on the mat, court, or fan circuit comes with its downsides. Chiles, for example, faced harassment on a global scale after her Olympic medal was revoked last summer (never mind that the entire controversy wasn’t her fault). For every supporter who couldn’t wait to visit Fishman’s new bar, there were dozens of Reddit commenters doubting a women’s sports-dedicated spot could last.

The detractors hurt, but they also motivated panelists to keep advocating for equal attention (and pay). “We’re not going to solve it all in this lifetime, but if I could help push this industry, this movement, a small step forward, and we can actually see it in our lifetime, that’s a life well lived,” Shaw Parker said.Ahead, read the best quotes from these barrier-breakers’ wide-ranging conversation on ambition, pressure, and authenticity, on and off their preferred playing fields. If you’re not watching women’s sports already, you will be by the end. women onstage at marie claire power play discussing women in sports (Image credit: Getty Images)Jordan Chiles, Two-Time Olympic Gymnast(Image credit: Getty Images)On bullying after the Paris Olympics: “Since Paris…I think that was the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do in my life. I’ve been racially attacked online, and told to get hung and and lynched and all these things. But I think this moment was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with, and I did go down into the deepest of all deeps. I didn’t know if I deserved. I didn’t know if I was great.I was like, why does every single time I do something great, it always gets stripped? […] The only reason why it happens to me is because I am strong. I get to be put into the next thing that’s being given to me. Since then, I’ve been able to present at VMAs. I’ve been able to use my platforms to help with mental health and encourage the younger generation. I went to college. That past is the past, and I can only control what’s the future. Being myself is the biggest thing that I could ever do in life.”Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.On learning from her sister: “My older sister had this ability to really embrace who she was as just being her authentic self. She went through a lot. […] Obviously, my mom, she’s the queen of all queens. But my sister gave me this ability to be like, ‘You know what, sis, if you wanna do this, go do it. If you wanna have this ability to really change what you’re trying to see within gymnastics, go do that.'”On staying true to her purpose: “I’m always gonna be that authentic self because at the end of the day, I didn’t wake up to be somebody else. I woke up to be the person I’m supposed to be, because that’s the gift that I was given.”Morgan Shaw Parker, Atlanta Dream COO and President women onstage at marie claire power play discussing women in sports (Image credit: Getty Images)On the difference between men’s and women’s sports: “What’s interesting with men’s sports is it’s built in a very specific way. Every time you walk into an NFL team, there’s one mission, and that one mission is to win a championship, right? I’ve always thought, in service of what? Why?What am I winning a championship for? I want to bring home that ring. Absolutely. Do I want to celebrate those players? Absolutely. But for women’s sports, it’s just so much more. And I think about in service of what? In service of the hundreds of thousands of young girls that need to have visibility and access to see this game.On building an inclusive workplace in the WNBA: “I was told for years, ‘Oh, it’s so hard to find diverse employees.’ I’m sorry, look at the women in this room and tell me it’s hard to find diverse talent. It’s not. You just have to fish in different ponds.”Year two, we were named the most diverse business operations engine in the WNBA. It’s not hard. It takes what it takes. Just focus on why you’re there.”I always hire people that are really smart and smarter than me, and that’s OK. It helps me test water, check it out, dream big, jump in that deep end, but they are always going to get me back to where we need to go, where organization is going to be pushing forward. We’re going to be a catalyst for change.”Chelsea Fishman, Jolene Jolene founder women onstage at marie claire power play discussing women in sports (Image credit: Getty Images)On pioneering a sports bar centered on women athletes: “Being in this infancy, what’s exciting about it is that we get to define it, right? We get to make the rules. It’s so cool and so fun to be a part of the women’s sports space right now just because of everything that’s going on. Especially as a viewer, a bar dedicated to women’s sports was unheard of a few years ago, and it’s still new.”As viewers, we have these sports and these athletes and these organizations that we’ve been cheering on for years. Now, they’re actually putting them on TV, which is helpful.”We’re in this space where the talent has always been there, , but the attention and the knowledge is finally starting to catch up. So it’s a really fun time.”On men becoming fans of women’s sports: “You don’t have to be against something to be for something [else]. I think a lot of people, especially men, get afraid that if they cheer for a women’s sport that they can’t cheer for a men’s sport. I think creating these spaces, like an actual, physical space where we can celebrate and tune in, moves the needle.”

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NIL

Paige Bueckers Opens Up About Ground-Breaking NIL Journey

Before NIL was more than just a three-letter acronym, Paige Bueckers was already a household name in college hoops. She wasn’t just making headlines for her court vision or clutch buckets, she was setting the stage for what a modern college athlete could become. But when the NIL era officially kicked off on July 1, […]

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4 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

“When I tell you I had no idea what this was going to look like, I had literally no idea,” Bueckers told Deja Kelly on NILOSOPHY. “It was a complete blank canvas.”

Despite winning National Player of the Year as a freshman at UConn and drawing millions of views on social media, Bueckers started her NIL journey just like every other college athlete, learning everything from scratch.

“You don’t even think about making money in college because it was never a thing,” she said.

Fast-forward four years: Bueckers leaves UConn as a national champion, a three-time first-team All-American, and the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She also exits the college stage with a staggering $1.5 million On3 NIL Valuation, the second-highest among all women’s basketball players.

But it wasn’t just about money for Bueckers. From day one, she prioritized building her brand around values, values she made sure to set alongside her inner circle.

“I set my values straight with my team. I just want to work with people who have the right intentions, have the right values of giving back and not making everything about me,” she said.

That mindset led her to deals that benefited not just herself, but her teammates too, something rare in the competitive world of NIL. From creative shoots to collaborations with Fortnite, Bueckers made sure to bring others along for the ride.

“The stuff I’ve been able to do with my teammates and for my teammates, that’s been the coolest stuff to me,” she shared.

Even with stylists, cameras, and endorsement deals, Bueckers never lost sight of the bigger picture: using her platform for good.

“Once I started to learn about it … it became, for me, how can I give back and use this platform on social media to do something good with it?”

In an era where athletes are becoming brands, Bueckers is showing that it’s possible to be both marketable and meaningful. Her journey through NIL wasn’t just about capitalizing, it was about creating impact.

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Cade Klubnik Turns $3.4M NIL Payday Into Community Giveback With Unique Deal

Cade Klubnik Turns $3.4M NIL Payday Into Community Giveback With Unique Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is making headlines off the field as well as on it, thanks to a groundbreaking new NIL deal that includes a highly detailed, lifelike action figure. Advertisement Valued at $3.4 million by On3’s NIL […]

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27 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Cade Klubnik Turns $3.4M NIL Payday Into Community Giveback With Unique Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is making headlines off the field as well as on it, thanks to a groundbreaking new NIL deal that includes a highly detailed, lifelike action figure.

Valued at $3.4 million by On3’s NIL rankings, Klubnik has solidified his place not just as a top college quarterback but also as a marketable star attracting unique endorsements.

Klubnik recently partnered with Collegiate Legends, a company known for creating collectible action figures of prominent college football players. This deal marks the company’s first collaboration with an ACC athlete and comes as part of their final NIL campaign of the year.

Previous Collegiate Legends clients include standout athletes like South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Alabama’s Jaylen Mbakwe.

Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium.© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

“Cade embodies the leadership and character that make him a role model on and off the field,” said Holly Tanory, President of Collegiate Legends. “We are proud to feature him as our first ACC athlete, and we look forward to an exciting season ahead.”

Klubnik has also committed to giving back, pledging a portion of the proceeds from the action figure sales to charity. He will make a special appearance to distribute these toys to children in the local community, while also donating some figures to Clemson Athletics to enhance fan and player engagement programs.

The timing of this NIL deal aligns perfectly with Klubnik’s rising profile. After a breakout 2024 season where he threw for 3,649 yards and 36 touchdowns, the Clemson star quarterback has been generating buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate and NFL Draft prospect.

Ranked No. 7 on On3’s NIL valuation list and No. 8 on the NIL 100 — a ranking of the top college and high school athletes by NIL value — Klubnik is a major presence in the college football landscape.

Heading into his senior season, Klubnik remains focused on growth and team success. “Quarterback is a developmental position, and building chemistry with my offensive coordinator has been key,” he recently told On3.

Related: Clemson Facing NIL Test as New Threat Emerges for 5-Star LB Tyler Atkinson

Related: Cade Klubnik Takes Shot at Transfer Culture, Praises Arch Manning but Snubs Rival

Related: EA Sports Misses Big With Dabo Swinney Look in College Football 26

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Antonio Williams uses his NIL money in the best way possible

While some people hate the NIL era because of what it has done to recruiting and the pureness of that process, you can’t deny that college athletes deserve to make money off their image and likeness and it just needs more regulation. But when players use part of their NIL earnings the way Antonio Williams […]

Published

49 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

But when players use part of their NIL earnings the way Antonio Williams did over the weekend.

Williams donated $10,000 to his alma mater over the weekend after hosting his free youth football camp. This is exactly why NIL is necessary because while it benefits players, it also benefits their communities that they give back to.

Clemson receiver Antonio Williams with a $10,000 donation to his H.S. alma mater’s booster club. https://t.co/PGZBCghoxg

— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) June 28, 2025

According to the camp’s website, the Antonio Williams Camp was free and limited to just 200 participants so it was a popular sign-up. His camp focused on football skills, leadership, and motivation and took place on Saturday, June 28.

How can you still have a negative thought about NIL after seeing something cool like this?

Williams may be four years removed from high school, but he didn’t forget where he came from and donated a big check to his alma mater’s booster club. This type of money goes a long way at the high school level and he did this after hosting a free youth camp. This is what a leader looks like.

The talented wide receiver deserves all the good karma and juju heading into the 2025 season and he’s one 1,000-yard season away from being a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The projected first-team All-ACC wideout is also considered one of the top-five receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. When he gets drafted next year, there’s no doubt that him giving back to his community will continue.

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USC pitcher Brodie Purcell enters NCAA Transfer Portal

USC right-handed pitcher Brodie Purcell, an All-Big Ten second-team selection this past season, has formally entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Purcell will have two years of eligibility remaining wherever he lands. The 6-foot-3 Purcell posted a 2.11 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 19 walks over 42.2 total innings across 27 […]

Published

51 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

USC right-handed pitcher Brodie Purcell, an All-Big Ten second-team selection this past season, has formally entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Purcell will have two years of eligibility remaining wherever he lands.

The 6-foot-3 Purcell posted a 2.11 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 19 walks over 42.2 total innings across 27 appearances in 2025, limiting opponents to a .177 batting average against him. It was a significant improvement off his 2024 totals when Purcell had a 4.03 ERA with 31 strikeouts to 17 walks in 29 innings pitched as a freshman.

Big Ten announces baseball awards for 2025 season

The Big Ten announced its 2025 baseball awards for the season as the Big Ten Tournament got underway Tuesday. Awards were handed out for individuals, as well as teams of players that performed the best this regular season.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Roch Cholowsky, So., SS, UCLA
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Joseph Dzierwa, Jr., SP, Michigan State
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Roch Cholowsky, So., SS, UCLA
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Jake Hanley, Fr., 1B, Indiana
COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Wasikowski, Oregon

ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
SP — Cade Obermueller, Jr., Iowa
SP — Aaron Savary, Jr., Iowa
SP — Joseph Dzierwa, Jr., Michigan State +
SP — Grayson Grinsell, Jr., Oregon
RP — Will Rogers, Sr., Michigan
RP — Seth Mattox, Sr., Oregon
RP — Isaac Yeager, Jr., Washington
C — Alex Calarco, Sr., Maryland
1B — Jacob Walsh, Sr., Oregon
2B — Mitch Voit, Jr., Michigan
SS — Roch Cholowsky, So., UCLA
3B — Ethan Hedges, Jr., USC
OF — Korbyn Dickerson, So., Indiana
OF — Devin Taylor, Jr., Indiana
OF — Mason Neville, Jr., Oregon
UTL — Reese Moore, So., Iowa
At-Large — Ryan Cooney, So., Oregon (2B)
At-Large — Paxton Kling, Jr., Penn State (OF)
+ unanimous selection

ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
SP — Cole Gilley, Sr., Indiana
SP — Reece Beuter, Sr., Iowa
SP — Michael Barnett, Jr., UCLA
SP — Max Banks, Sr., Washington
RP — Luke Broderick, Jr., Nebraska
RP — Michael Vallone, Gr., Purdue
RP — Brodie Purcell, So., USC
C — Daniel Rogers, Gr., Iowa
C — Weber Neels, Jr., Minnesota
1B — Logan Sutter, Sr., Purdue
1B — Mulivai Levu, So., UCLA
2B — Ryan McKay, So., Michigan State
SS — Chris Hacopian, So., Maryland
3B — Roman Martin, So., UCLA
OF — Vytas Valincius, Sr., Illinois
OF — Trevor Cohen, Rutgers
OF — AJ Salgado, Sr., UCLA
UTL — Jack Porter, So., Penn State
At-Large — Jake Hanley, Fr., Indiana (1B)
At-Large — Benny Casillas, Gr., Michigan (SS)

ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAM
SP — Kyle McCoy, So., Maryland
SP — Jason Reitz, Jr., Oregon
SP — Caden Aoki, Sr., USC
RP — Zach Bates, So., Illinois
2B — Abbrie Covarrubias, So., USC
SS — Maddox Molony, So., Oregon
3B — Owen McElfatrick, Jr., Northwestern
OF — Ben Wilmes, Sr., Iowa
OF — Anson Aroz, Jr., Oregon
OF — AJ Guerrero, Sr., Washington
UTL — Dominic Hellman, Jr., Oregon
At-Large — Jacob Schroeder, Gr., Illinois (C)
(no C, 1B due to second team ties)

— On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.

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Clemson Facing NIL Test as New Threat Emerges for 5-Star LB Tyler Atkinson

Clemson Facing NIL Test as New Threat Emerges for 5-Star LB Tyler Atkinson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Clemson is in for a fight if it wants to land one of the nation’s top defensive players. Advertisement Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson has wrapped up his official visits, and the Tigers—who hosted him first in June—remain […]

Published

54 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Clemson Facing NIL Test as New Threat Emerges for 5-Star LB Tyler Atkinson originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Clemson is in for a fight if it wants to land one of the nation’s top defensive players.

Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson has wrapped up his official visits, and the Tigers—who hosted him first in June—remain in the mix. But the dynamic around his recruitment may be shifting, and Clemson’s traditional recruiting model could soon face its toughest NIL-era challenge yet.

Atkinson, the No. 1 linebacker and a top-10 overall prospect in the 2026 class, kicked off his June with a visit to Clemson. That early positioning gave Dabo Swinney’s staff an important window to make a lasting impression, one built on player development, culture, and a no-nonsense approach to the transfer portal and NIL.

But the college football world is evolving—and fast.

Following stops at Oregon and Georgia, Atkinson’s final visit to Texas has stirred national buzz. According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong, the Longhorns may now be the biggest threat to Georgia’s standing as the perceived leader.

“I think you could look at Texas as the biggest threat to Georgia,” Wiltfong said in a recent update, highlighting that this recruitment may be far from over.

Texas’ late push has some wondering whether Clemson can keep pace in an NIL-driven race. Atkinson recently signed a high-profile NIL deal as part of Adidas new Adizero class, placing him among a select group of high school athletes already earning national branding deals. For a player already building his name off the field, the allure of an NIL-friendly environment could be pivotal.

That’s where Clemson’s challenge becomes clear. Swinney has built his program on stability and long-term growth, not flashy offers or short-term financial gain. While the Tigers have NIL infrastructure in place, their more controlled, culture-first approach often contrasts with the aggressive NIL strategies seen at places like Georgia, Oregon, and Texas.

Grayson High School linebacker Tyler Atkinson.© Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Still, Clemson has a track record of developing elite defenders and sending them to the NFL. If Atkinson values a proven pipeline and the kind of environment that has helped many Clemson stars thrive, the Tigers can still be a real contender.

Whether that’s enough in today’s recruiting climate remains to be seen. Clemson was the first school to get him on campus this summer; that first impression could still matter, or Atkinson may have been wowed by everyone else since.

As no decision time has been made, Clemson remains in the race. But now, it’s clear they’ll need to overcome not just SEC rivals—but the shifting winds of NIL as well.

Related: Cade Klubnik Takes Shot at Transfer Culture, Praises Arch Manning but Snubs Rival

Related: Jaguars Could Add Former Clemson Rival in Late Offseason Move

Related: Former MLB Umpire Who Ejected Clemson Star Strikes Again in CWS Controversy

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.

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How NIL Plays a Factor in Terrance Ferguson's Contract Negotiations

When the Rams selected Terrance Ferguson, there was no way they could have anticipated that he would be holding out for guaranteed money. Why did they believe that? Because it doesn’t happen. That was until the Browns and the Texans gave Carson Schwesinger and Jayden Higgins fully guaranteed deals. Now all second-round picks are trying […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

How NIL Plays a Factor in Terrance Ferguson's Contract Negotiations

When the Rams selected Terrance Ferguson, there was no way they could have anticipated that he would be holding out for guaranteed money. Why did they believe that? Because it doesn’t happen.

That was until the Browns and the Texans gave Carson Schwesinger and Jayden Higgins fully guaranteed deals. Now all second-round picks are trying to get fully guaranteed deals of their own, and while in the past, NFL teams could wait those players out, these players are entering the NFL with millions in their bank accounts due to NIL.

For Ferguson, he’s arguably the greatest tight end in Oregon history. He’s without a doubt the highest-paid tight end in Oregon history, having been a part of the Ducks’ NIL collective since 2022. Oregon is also funded by Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, so Oregon has one of the biggest war chests in college football.

While it’s unknown exactly how much money Ferguson made (including his own NIL deals), 49ers tight end George Kittle provided insight into the wealth disparity between collegiate football players and non-first round NFL players on rookie contracts.

Some NFL rookies made more in NIL than they make in the league pic.twitter.com/LY3qQMCuRx

— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) June 28, 2025

“I’m not gonna name any of their names, but like, we had a great rookie class. Like, every offensive install that we do during OTAs, a rookie has to get up and tell a joke. We make him do name, school, signing bonus, and this year we added NIL. One of the kids was like, yeah, I made, he was undrafted. He goes, I made $30,000 signing bonus. Like, ooh, yeah, good for you, man. And then he’s like, I made $700,000 in NIL.

Kittle was then asked what’s the highest number he had heard and Kittle responded that it was over a million.

Thus, players like Ferguson are able to get set up with housing, transportation, and any other needs/luxuries before they receive a dime of the NFL paycheck.

To Ferguson’s credit, his contract hasn’t been a factor in his preparation. He’s been to every Rams event, he’s been working hard, and Ferguson is fitting in just fine.

He also can’t play without a contract. He knows it, the Rams know it, so Ferguson holds the leverage as the Rams and the NIL try to navigate the new waters of drafting millionaires.

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