Lee, an Auburn signee, will have a chance to cash in endorsements deals and maintain her . Furthermore, she won two more medals in Tokyo to the delight of most fans. Suni opened up in May about how difficult it was to wait for the Olympics when it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 152 posts. The transition should be easy. Pressure of Being the Olympic Gold Medalist, How Is She Real: Olympic Champ Suni Lees Unbelievably Flawless Performance in Its something that would have been unheard of in gymnastics prior to this year, but with the NCAAs recent change in name, image and likeness rules, its a new reality for both Lee and Auburn. We had begun conversations during the Olympics, St. George told Sports Business Journal. Maybe by then, things will have settled down a little. College basketball and football players likely to turn pro were predicted to score the biggest deals, a scenario that's already starting to play out. Legal Statement. The talented gymnast is dating Jaylin Smith, who is a football player and they share a lovely relationship. At CAA Sports, clients are represented by multiple agents. Plugging a product or service on social media is just one way college athletes have begun cashing in. WME BUILDS BASEBALL PRACTICE: WME Sports has quietly built a baseball player representation practice that includes veterans such as the Houston Astros Carlos Correa and potential rookie of the year Garrett Whitlock, who pitches for the Boston Red Sox. Jeff Graba, Lee's future coach at Auburn, made sure to highlight in his remarks after Lee won the all-around that historically gymnasts who win this title would have to turn pro because they wouldn't be able to make money going to college. Lee says while she knows she'll have some endorsement opportunities ahead for her, she . America loves champions, but they especially love meeting new celebrities, who emerged against difficult odds.. Please enter valid email address to continue. Sunisa is the only player from Auburn, whereas Bronny James tops the list with a valuation of $7.3 million. . She will also rake in appearance and speaking fees for years to come, as she emerges as the Olympic movements next It Girl, a title he says American gymnasts have taken on after successful Summer Games since Retton won gold at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Her incredible showing during the championship event has made her an American hero and fans are curious how much money the Minnesota native makes from her gymnastics career. Burton also noted that as an Asian American athlete, Lee also embodies diversitya valuable attribute to marketers today. With her masterful gold medal performance amid a whirlwind of attention and emotion caused by Simone Biles withdrawal, Lee now moves into the role of Americas newest face of the Games. Sunisa Lee's Olympic Gold for Team USA Could Be Worth $1 Million (Its) probably bigger; bigger than that quarterback (Alabamas Bryce Young) who hasnt started a game and Im sure Nick Saban was kind of goosing that number just to get recruits, Dorfman said. After her successful events in Tokyo, she took part in the famous Dancing With The Stars competition. Auburn's Sunisa Lee is at the top of her game in the gymnastics world, but that doesn't just go for performance.. A new ranking by On3 detailed the top 10 highest-paid women athletes by NIL in the college landscape, and Lee clocked in at No. We take the time to listen and understand the needs of corporations and organizations looking to hire entertainers, musicians, speakers and other creative talent. Additionally, she has the capability to partner with brands for paid social media posts considering her whopping 500,000 followers. Her breakthrough came at the 2019 US National Championships. For example, when Nike was an official sponsor of the Olympics in years past, an athlete like Biles wouldnt have been able to wear Athleta gear at the Games. Brands that want to work with Lee in the immediate aftermath of Tokyo will pay a premium due to her demand, which means cash in her pocket and continued visibility that Burton said creates a sustainable revenue stream for Lees future. Montreal Vacation Packages. Team USA gymnast Sunisa Lee took home the gold medal in the womens all-around on Thursday, a victory that some marketers say could come with a seven-figure financial windfall for the 18-year-old star, who just shot her marketability into the stratosphere. Sunisa Lee's Olympic Gold for Team USA Could Be Worth $1 Million - Yahoo! Its one of the best athletes in the world not just gymnasts in the world, one of the best athletes in the world has chosen to come to Auburn. So she, of course, wanted to be a college athlete, St. James said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Lee's victory came with a total score of 57.928, continuing the U.S. women's all-around win streak going back to 2004. If the stars align. NCAA rules will limit her practice time. Timely, daily updates provide the latest developments and news relied upon by industry leaders. Her abilities as a gymnast, especially her bar routine, are incredible, the Russian-born athlete told the outlet. Gold medallist Sunisa Lee of the United States poses on the podium after winning the Women's Individual All-Around, July 29, 2021, in Tokyo. Dressel likely has another Olympics run left as well: He will be 27 at his next Olympic Games. Bradwell was one of 10 college athletes that Sam's Club signed to a deal, the retailer said, including Southern Methodist University soccer player Sam Estrada and Georgia State University wide receiver Sam Pinckney. Olympic Gold Medalist Suni Lee Inks New NIL Partnership With Voice In The fact that Simone Biles pulled out kind of put more laser-focused attention on it. Due to her sensational performances in that competition, she earned herself a place with the US national gymnastics team. Measure of Success: Churchill Downs Race Tracks Sponsorship Strategy Sponsored by IEG, Ourand: Pac-12 has time on media rights, as long as no other schools leave, Fallout from RSN mess means big changes for fans, teams and leagues, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast: Episode 76 -- RSN Armageddon. Thats the premier event; you win that, youre the best gymnast in the world, Dorfman said. Thus, her career is on an upward trajectory and is getting better every year. Compete in college or make millions in endorsements? Actually, Sunisa She is the holy grail of consumers, the target for nearly every marketer in America. Just ask Biles or Katie Ledecky, who parlayed their Olympic success into seven-figure earnings. Contact All American Speakers Bureau to book the best keynote speaker for your next live or virtual event. October 13, 2021 / 2:46 PM You have 1 All Access article remaining this month. She is the first American of Hmong descent to medal at the Olympics. Thats something that Auburn is prepared for. Already a subscriber? "(College) just has been another one of my dreams and goals after the Olympics," the 18-year-old said Friday, less than 24 hours after edging Brazil's Rebeca Andrade for the top spot on the podium. Its all good. (Biles, who turned pro in 2015, has an endorsement deal with the Gap-owned brand.). But this is a real performance success, somebody who has won gold, somebody who could be back in four years, a sport right now thats garnering incredible attention a lot of because of what happened with Simone Biles. Thompson said he could see Lee following in Biles footsteps, signing with a brand like Gap-owned Athleta or Canadian athleisure company Lululemon. Now that the Hmong starlet has won two medals one gold for all-around and one silver with the rest of Team USA that prize money will also factor into her net worth. Because if the Games were held last year, Lees earnings potential would have been hurt by the old, stricter rules. Graba, whose brother Jess is Lees longtime coach, said he has had conversations with Lee about the impact NIL can have on her college career. On3 NIL, which tracks college athletes' NIL deals, estimates Lee's market value of $1.5 million. Thats not to discount Michael Phelps and some of the other great athletes that have been a part of the Olympics, but I anticipate that she will become very visible and very popular. In fact, even Sunis gymnastics hero, Nastia Liukin who is a five-time Olympic medalist herself saw greatness in her. Suni Lee will start her freshman year under new NCAA policies that allow college athletes to profit from endorsement deals. Overall, Thompson sees Lee and her teammates' decision to attend college a win-win for both brands and the athletes. U.S. gymnast Suni Lee captured gold in the all-around. Sports business experts have told CBS MoneyWatch the wave of sponsorship deals are still in their infancy, but ultimately it could add up to spectacular income for at least some of the young athletes. Also, Lee and her teammates competing in college could join Biles in an ad for Athleta and profit from it as long as it doesn't violate the confines of the trademark of their respective colleges. He does, however, agree with the principle of a minority government. Sunisa Phabsomphou was born on March 9, 2003, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Sunisa Lee won the balance beam at the N.C.A.A. As everyone predicted, Sunisa Lee has become a big name in the endorsement deals in college sports. But the 18-year-old will still be able to cash in on her new status as Olympic gold medalist as result of newly loosened NCAA amateurism rules. But her impending haul off the mat is actually worth much more. Its not just the medal that makes her marketable, though, but the pedestal on which fans have long put top U.S. gymnastsfrom Mary Lou Retton to Nastia Liukin to Gabby Douglas to Biles. Posts. Suni Lee Net Worth: How the Olympic Gymnast Makes Money - Life & Style . Sunisa Lee's father, John Lee, celebrates his daughter's Olympic gold as she is presented the medal on television at a watch party in Oakdale, Minn., Thursday. Newly minted Olympic gymnastics champion Sunisa Lee says she's still committed to going to college at Auburn. Brands that want to work with Lee in the immediate aftermath of Tokyo will pay a premium due to her demand, which means cash in her pocket and continued visibility that Burton said creates a sustainable revenue stream for Lees future. Understandably as an Olympic hero, advertisers have been gravitating toward her. We know its not going to happen overnight, that we are going to grow this organically. Fill out a booking request form for Sunisa Lee, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to . Post navigation. Labor and Agents: Gymnast Lee reviewing endorsement offers after Click below to sign in. For now, S&S is focused on national deals, but local partnerships from her home state of Minnesota and her new college in Alabama are possible, St. George said. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Defense lawyers in Idaho killings case want gag order kept, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son. Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. She introduced herself to the world as one of the faces of USA gymnastics, right up there with all-time great Simone Biles, and in that moment as she glanced down at that hard-earned gold draped around her neck she also became the new face of the NIL era of college athletics. Pippen Jr. already has an endorsement deal with chicken fingers restaurant chain Raising Cane's. That face is changing because new NCAA rules now allow college athletes to monetize their names, images and likenesses, or NIL, as the fast-emerging asset is known. 7 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, an average of $43 million a year. Its good for our program because, you know, it brings a lot of national recognition to us. She is endorsed by the Pearson+ app right now and has a net worth of a staggering $2 million at just 19 years old. It will remain in effect until federal legislation is passed or the NCAA creates permanent rules. Daily updates aggregating the stories and spin from more than 600 outlets across the globe. In sports like gymnastics and swimming, racking up gold medals on the worlds biggest stage is lucrative. Family and friends react as Sunisa Lee wins the gold medal in the womens gymnastics all-around. The previous four Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin, Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles were teenagers at the time of their triumphs. SPACs: What a Special Purpose Acquisition Company Means for Sports. Nurses can verify their licenses by completing the Nursys verification process for $30 per license type, per each board of nursing where the nurse is applying. Lee, 18, landed her first gold medal Thursday after. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde. What does that mean? With each Olympic federation interpreting the provision in its own way, there are regulatory questions that need to be sorted out. In fact, Dressel already has backing from at least seven companies, including Speedo, NOBULL and Hersheys. 1 gymnast in the world. Sunisa Lee of Team United States poses with her gold medal after winning the Women's All-Around Final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 29, 2021 in. Burton also noted that as an Asian American athlete, Lee also embodies diversitya valuable attribute to marketers today. Deals Money Gifts Travel . Register for a free SBJ account to unlock one extra article per month. You will be able to share this link with anyone and everyone, even on social media. 1 high school prospect, shortstop, Matthes co-leads the division with WME agent and partner, We are very committed to growing this baseball division to be the best division in baseball, Matthes said. product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. If you look at the setup of the storythe greatest of all time bows out and she steps in, wins the gold, gives hopes and dreams to every little girl in Americashe represents hope and aspiration, and thats massively valuable. 2 with an estimated 1.5 million dollars made from NIL deals. 2023 Leaders Group. Sunisa Lee of Team United States competes on balance beam during the Women's All-Around Final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on . Collins co-represents Allen with. What they have is a short runway to Paris, and they have so much momentum right now that it could be carried through the next three years to add value to them, says Lisa Delpy Neirotti, director of the sports management program at George Washington University. Her mother's long-time partner John Lee bred her throughout her life as she keeps his surname. What a winner! After shedding a few tears of joy at the conclusion of the all-around final while her family watched in celebration back home, Lee sought out the silver medalist, Brazils Rebeca Andrade, and congratulated her. Those days are over thanks to recently passed legislation that allows collegiate athletes to make money off their name, image and likeness. For example, if Shareef were to sign a sponsorship deal, his existing Instagram account could earn him $10,820 per sponsored post, according to the Action Network report, the most by any other athlete on its list. The US international is an Olympic gold medalist and one of the best gymnasts in the world. Sunisa Lee of Team United States poses with her gold medal after winning the Women's All-Around Final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 29, 2021 in. Sunisa Lee gets a standing ovation as she arrives at Auburn University It remains to be seen what kind of endorsements Lee will cash in on, but the 18-year-old will have no shortage of options to take advantage of. Its an incredible win for her.. They didn't in the hours after her steady, poised performance on floor exercise helped her soar to the top of the podium. Her father Yeev Thoj is a healthcare worker while her mother immigrated to the United States of America. July 29, 2021 | 2:05pm CDT Following Sunisa Lee's gold medal victory in the individual all-around at the Tokyo Olympics, Auburn head coach Jeff Graba is excited for the future. The latest personnel hires and promotions, plus exclusive ratings and research from the sports industry. I dont want to disappoint my coaches or my parents. However, it seems she did just the opposite and came out of quarantine stronger than ever. bigger than that quarterback (Alabamas Bryce Young) who hasnt started a game, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. allow college athletes to strike deals with brands that use their name, image and likeness. All Rights Reserved. Sunisa Lee of Team United States poses with her gold medal after winning the Women's All-Around Final on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. But beyond their competitive success, both Lee and Dressel fit the mold of what Delpy Neirotti calls the ideal Olympian, with brands naturally gravitating to athletes who demonstrate humility, graciousness and family values. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Videos Tagged. Lees team is seeking deals with brands that are authentic to Lee as a person. Under the new version of Rule 40, she can. Ad Age and Creativity Staff The performer also has the ability to broker major endorsement deals as a result of her historic wins. The superstar gymnast now earns several million dollars a year off the mat from sponsors, including Athleta (after several years as a Nike athlete), Visa, United Airlines, Oreo and Core Power protein shakes. When Suni Lee stepped onto the podium inside the Ariake Gymnastics Centre and placed around her neck the Olympic gold medal for the womens all-around, the 18-year-old U.S. athlete from Saint Paul, Minn., took her spot as the No. After the success she found in gymnastics, she took part in the famous tv reality show Dancing With the Stars. Action Network said its list "not only shines light on some incredible emerging talent, but illustrates the changing face of college sport in the U.S.". Lees win in the all-around could be leveraged for as much as $10 million over the young athletes lifetime, Burton said. Her graceful movements and incredible leaps were a sight to behold. 1 hour 13 min ago, By Lindsay Rittenhouse Everyone had been expecting Simone to win, and [Lee] stepped up. "Supporting these athletes gives us a chance to connect with members in a new way, support students and rally behind many under-represented collegiate sports," Sam's Club chief merchant Megan Crozier said in a statement. Once the NCAA announced the NIL rules, companies large and smallhave wasted no timefinding college athletes for sponsorship deals. By registering you agree to our privacy policy, terms & conditions and to receive occasional emails from Ad Age. . Activate your account. Soon after, she won the silver medal for the team gymnastics competition while she only claimed bronze for her signature uneven bars competition. The list also includes Shareef's younger brother Shaqir, who plays basketball for Texas Southern University; as well as Spencer Rattler, quarterback for the University of Oklahoma; wrestler Gable Steveson of the University of Minnesota; and Scotty Pippen Jr., son of the former Chicago Bulls player, currently a Vanderbilt University combo guard. Longer term, her gold is even more valuable. In the wake of her four-gold-medal performance at the Olympic Games in Rio, Biles, for example, built a robust sponsorship portfolio. After Simone Biles won most of the events, she claimed first place in the uneven bars event. The gymnasts will continue to have a presence on TV and streaming services through collegiate conference networks, staying relevant with the viewers and brands, Thompson says. She hasn't ruled out trying to do both collegiate and elite gymnastics at the same time. I want to be able to do everything. Now she actually gets that shot.. The ruling gives way to athletes to leverage their platforms the way influencers do, selling signed autographs, inking endorsements, and by making personal appearances. The newly minted Olympic gymnastic champion's plans, however, have not. Sunisa Lee (@sunisalee) Instagram photos and videos Thompson echoed many of the same sentiments, adding that perhaps joining Biles on her sponsor-supported, post-Tokyo Gold Over America Tour could put Lee to an even stronger earning position. It worked. She won three Olympic medals during her first-ever games at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, clinching one gold, silver, and . https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2021/08/16/Insiders/Labor-and-Agents.aspx. She has been in contact already with Auburns compliance department, and Graba acknowledged that Lee will certainly need an agent to work with her on endorsement opportunities. Lee, who signed with Auburn back in March, is expected to enroll in classes this fall. Even without additional gold medals in Tokyo, though, Dorfman believes Lees endorsement potential could rival what Biles made in the wake of the 2016 Olympics based solely off her performance in the all-around and the nature of the sport, with the athletes not hidden behind masks or headgear, making them more recognizable to consumers. Lee instantly became one of the stars of these Summer Games. Sunisa Lee competes on balance beam during the all-around finals Thursday. Theres almost always someone who emerges as the fresh new face of the Olympic Games, and it is almost always a female, Burton said. There will likely be no shortage of possibilities for the charismatic Lee, the first Hmong American to win an Olympic medal. You would think that all the sponsors would be jumping on her, Dorfman said. His timing could not be better, as fans were seeking a new star in the post-Phelps era, Delpy Neirotti says. All rights reserved (About Us). Sunisa Lee among those athletes who are about to cash in. But there are University of Central Florida sprinter Samieryah Bradwell signed a $10,000 deal with Sam's Club last month. That means Suni will take home $60,000 from Tokyo. Sunisa lee (@sunisalee_) November 15, 2022. The division now represents more than a dozen players, including Detroit Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chasen Shreve. Biography and booking information for Sunisa Lee, 2020 Olympic Women's Gymnastics Gold Medalist. 11 by the Washington Nationals. Not only did she fill up SEC gyms, she also signed endorsement deals with Amazon, Gatorade, Target, Invisalign and CLIF Bar. If she does still opt to go to Auburn, INFLCR CEO Jim Cavale said the star will arrive with a massive head start in terms of social media endorsement deal opportunities in the NIL era. Sunisa Lee says 2022-23 season will be her last one | The NIL Deal With Lee still being a teenager, Dorfman could see sponsorships targeting younger demographics, like snack foods, pizza or fast-food restaurants. The total guarantee of the deal is $150 million, and $100 million was guaranteed on signing. News provided by The Associated Press. [Lee is] now the new Americas sweetheart, Thompson added. Share Post. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. What Simone Biles Olympics exit means for sponsors, Athleta plots expansion with Simone Biles deal and new chief brand officer, Agency IP investments are growingclient frustrations are among the reasons why, Why a stronger freelancer-agency relationship is critical for success, - Read additional free articles each month, - Comment on articles and featured creative work, - Get our curated newsletters delivered to your inbox. From all her earnings, medal victories, and salary, Suni Lee has an estimated net worth of $3 million. New NIL rules makes instant impact at Auburn - Dothan Eagle Churchill Downs has been home to some of the most incredible moments in sports history. But he swam only in relay events and was very much overshadowed by his all-star teammates Michael Phelps, Ryan Held and Nathan Adrian. Theres almost always someone who emerges as the fresh new face of the Olympic Games, and it is almost always a female, Burton said. I just love the fact thatthank goodness for the NIL, because she doesnt have to make a horrible decision; shes capable of, in her words, I want it all.