He didnt waste the opportunity to showcase his talent this time around, setting either a world record or an Olympic record in all three of his individual events. 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. Just ask Biles or Katie Ledecky, who parlayed their Olympic success into seven-figure earnings. 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. In a moment, the American gymnast became the most beloved person on campus before even arriving. In the list dominated by football players, Sunisa ranks tenth, with a market valuation of $1.5 million. 2 with an estimated 1.5 million dollars made from NIL deals. Winning an Olympic gold medal in the women's all-around competition is the most coveted title in gymnastics. Sunisa Lee poses with her gold medal after winning the women's gymnastics all-around title at the Summer Olympics at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Thursday in Tokyo. 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. In the wake of her four-gold-medal performance at the Olympic Games in Rio, Biles, for example, built a robust sponsorship portfolio. The U.S. Olympics Gymnastics Team Ranked by Height: Simone Biles, More, Streaking! No outlets have reported a figure for Suni, but judging by her past and present medal wins, it is clear that she has a sizable income through her sport. American gold medalist Sunisa Lee and college basketball star Shareef O'Neal, son of L.A. Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal, sit atop a list of 30 athletes who sports-betting analytics firm Action Network believes could rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars based on their social media reach alone. Shes forever an Olympian and forever a gold medalist in the tradition of all the great female athletes of past Olympics, Burton said. She attended Auburn University on a gymnastics scholarship and has been a regular there. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Though the amount is unclear, it appears those wins each come with prize money. A roommate to hang out with. Everyone had been expecting Simone to win, and [Lee] stepped up. 2023 Leaders Group. Sunisa Lee, of United States, reacts as she poses for a picture after winning the gold medal in the artistic gymnastics women's all-around final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. 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. If NIL rules hadnt changed, she would not be able to do any of the things we are talking about. His timing could not be better, as fans were seeking a new star in the post-Phelps era, Delpy Neirotti says. Burton throws Visa in the ring as well, noting that with only a three-year turnaround to the Paris Games in 2024, where Lee could again compete, shes an even more attractive partner for Olympic sponsors. 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. Lee, who turns 21 in 2024, could still be in her prime as a gymnast for the next Olympics. Lee, 18, landed her first gold medal Thursday after. "So I feel like if I were to go pro, it would have to be like something like really good.. They both came at a perfect time, Delpy Neirotti says, adding, Its going to be advantageous for both of these stars in terms of commercial value., This is a BETA experience. "Smash the cap", Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings, Vast majority of U.S. homes are unaffordable to the average buyer, Difficult economy and loneliness forces some retirees to move in with family. Pippen Jr. already has an endorsement deal with chicken fingers restaurant chain Raising Cane's. Sunisa Lee competes on the vault during the women's U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials Sunday in St. Louis. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw a new superstar being born in Suni Lee. Back after returning from Tokyo, she partnered with the Pearson+ app to boost her earnings. You may unsubscribe at any time. 11 by the Washington Nationals. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Sunisa Suni Lee, the surprise winner of the womens individual gymnastics all-around Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, has signed with Smith & Saint, an agency formed by two sisters who are both attorneys. The fact that Simone Biles pulled out kind of put more laser-focused attention on it. 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. We want to hear from you! In the past few months, several players have become the highest paid at their respective positions and on top of that I think the leagues record-setting media rights deals this offseason show how strong the future of the NFL will be.. Matthes also represents utility player Peyton Wilson, drafted by the Kansas City Royals; right-handed pitcher Irv Carter, who was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays; and right-handed pitcher Davis Sharpe, who was drafted by the Cleveland Indians. Sunisa Lee's life changed the second she placed a gold medal around her neck. Contact All American Speakers Bureau to book the best keynote speaker for your next live or virtual 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. Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. - 1 day 8 hours ago, By According to reports, the DWTS contestants earn $125,000 in rehearsal and the first two weeks while the maximum they can earn is $295,000. 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. 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. But everybody at the top of WME and Endeavor is committed to growing this division and making it the best it can be.. Gabby Douglas (2012) and Simone Biles (2016), future Auburn gymnast Sunisa Lee is prepared to make history when she . Suni Lee is not turning pro. Sportico is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Thus, her career is on an upward trajectory and is getting better every year. S&S is based in Boston and is a boutique agency that counts Olympians, personalities, influencers and chefs as clients. 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. . allow college athletes to strike deals with brands that use their name, image and likeness. 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. 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. Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Awards, accolades, endorsement deals and sustained celebrity followed. The St. Paul, Minn., native has committed to attend Auburn University. Prior to her new partnership with CLIF, she had already signed deals with Amazon AMZN -1.6%,. Fellow Two Time Olympic Gold Medalist. Lees NIL earnings potential was already high before her star turn Thursday in Tokyo. And youth is on their side. As a result of her partnership with Pearson+, she has reportedly been able to. Overall, Thompson sees Lee and her teammates' decision to attend college a win-win for both brands and the athletes. Thats something that Auburn is prepared for. She's a favorite to add another medal to her gold in the all-around and team silver during the uneven bars final on Sunday. The. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. A year later, she lost her aunt and uncle to Covid-19. Plugging a product or service on social media is just one way college athletes have begun cashing in. A life to begin. However, a key caveat of the new ruling is that non-Olympic sponsors cant mention the Games in their brand advertising, so as to maintain Olympic sponsor exclusivity. The transition should be easy. But its a sport and an athlete that performed under incredible pressure, especially given everything thats happened leading up to this. People will remember that and empathize with him, Delpy Neirotti says. - 1 day 2 hours ago. She hasn't ruled out trying to do both collegiate and elite gymnastics at the same time. At CAA Sports, clients are represented by multiple agents. Her graceful movements and incredible leaps were a sight to behold. She took home one gold and three silver medals at the junior-level competition. Maybe by then, things will have settled down a little. Additionally, she has the capability to partner with brands for paid social media posts considering her whopping 500,000 followers. Hence, with all that in place, she could be making $100,000 in a jiffy. We know its not going to happen overnight, that we are going to grow this organically. Other more traditional Olympics sponsors, like Procter and Gamble or the Coca-Cola Company and their family of brands (Coke now owns Core Power through its acquisition of the protein shakes owner, Fairlife LLC), could also be in Lees future. What does that mean? For Sunisa "Suni" Lee and Caeleb Dressel, two of the Tokyo Olympics' breakout stars, the road to Paris 2024 is paved with riches. Due to her sensational performances in that competition, she earned herself a place with the US national gymnastics team. Time permitting, she should be able to make just as much money as she would have normally made.". Timely, daily updates provide the latest developments and news relied upon by industry leaders. Not only did she fill up SEC gyms, she also signed endorsement deals with Amazon, Gatorade, Target, Invisalign and CLIF Bar. Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press By Victor Mather April 15, 2022 The N.C.A.A. "So it's name image and likeness. Its an incredible win for her.. Really ready. It worked. Sunisa Suni Lee, often known as Suni Lee, is an artistic gymnast from the US. Are you a print subscriber? Her phone practically melted from her notifications on social media from random well-wishers to actress Reese Witherspoon. The agency also completed its first draft, which included former No. LOWER NFL REVENUE NOT A FACTOR IN ALLEN DEAL: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allens six-year, $258 million deal demonstrates both the players and the teams commitment to winning a Super Bowl and wasnt that difficult to complete, despite the pandemic compressing NFL revenue last year, his agent said last week. 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. The Americans have produced each of the past five Olympic champions. You may opt-out by. 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. 49 print issues delivered to your home or office. Shes a million dollar baby, Vince Thompson, founder and CEO of sports and marketing agency MELT, said in an interview. Of course, Lee could still turn pro, but going to college might be in her best interests long-term, suggests Damian Benders, general manager of B Code, a digital media company connecting with Black audiences across digital platforms. Moreover, her flexibility and smoothness in routines are a must-watch for fans all over the world. There are classes to get to. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. Her favorite dish is Pasta while she loves the Finding Nemo movie. Lee could become the first true litmus test for athletes in traditionally nonrevenue college sports. Huge Announcement on Her Gymnastics Career, Olympic Gold Medalist Suni Lee Makes An Upsetting Statement On Her Paris 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. All rights reserved. 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. The St. Paul, Minn., native has committed to attend Auburn University. 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. (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. (Biles, who turned pro in 2015, has an endorsement deal with the Gap-owned brand.). Posts. 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 . Click below to sign in. She won three Olympic medals during her first-ever games at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, clinching one gold, silver, and . 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. But her impending haul off the mat is actually worth much more. Sunisa Lee won the balance beam at the N.C.A.A. After her successful career, she competed at the 2018 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships and won the gold medal in the team final competition while also claiming the silver medal for vault, balance beam, and floor exercise. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). She is endorsed by the Pearson+ app right now and has a net worth of a staggering $2 million at just 19 years old. 1 hour 13 min ago, By By A star like this is also relatable to others, and when he breaks down and shows emotion like that, hes relatable.. The performer also has the ability to broker major endorsement deals as a result of her historic wins. Lee's longtime coach Jess Graba and Auburn coach Jeff Graba are twin brothers. Activate your account. Lees win in the all-around could be leveraged for as much as $10 million over the young athletes lifetime, Burton said. Sunisa Lee juggles stardom with college life Until then, and as Paris 2024 quickly approaches, the table is set for Lee and Dressel. The talented gymnast is dating Jaylin Smith, who is a football player and they share a lovely relationship. Make a gift of any amount today to support this resource for everyone. TOKYO With a thrilling gold-medal performance in the women's all-around gymnastics competition here Thursday, Sunisa Lee has become one of the biggest stars in the world coming out of these. F1 and IndyCar start their seasons, the Rams partner with KAGR and Athletes Unlimited celebrates its anniversary with an expanded Nike partnership. That means Suni will take home $60,000 from Tokyo. 152 posts. Follow her on Twitter@SBJLizMullen. And shell do so as one of the most marketable college athletes in the country. Access to easy-to-read digital editions of weekly issues. 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. It will remain in effect until federal legislation is passed or the NCAA creates permanent rules. You become the face of the sport, raking in sponsorship deals. 1 gymnast in the world. SPACs: What a Special Purpose Acquisition Company Means for Sports. 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. Lee was thrust onto the worlds stage when she won the all-around after, S&S represents Russian-born American gymnast, The agency also completed its first draft, which included former No. Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. Shes a million dollar baby, Vince Thompson, founder and CEO of sports and marketing agency MELT, said in an interview. And plenty will be possible, including book deals, brand endorsementsand if she chooses to start a gymnastics academy, she could put her name on it, "Suni Lee," Thompson says. Follow. "There's a pro league for gymnastics, it's just endorsements," Jeff Graba said. As of Thursday afternoon, Lee has surpassed 706,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 73,000 on Twitter numbers that will surely continue to grow. The NCAAs changing of NIL rules to allow student athletes to have an agent really affected Lee in a positive way. All Rights Reserved. In the wake of her four-gold-medal performance at the Olympic Games in Rio, Biles built a robust sponsorship portfolio. 2023 Leaders Group. "This is actually a potential success story because she doesn't need to leave college in order to continue to have a presence on the national stage and reap the rewards of that from a financial standpoint," Benders says. He does, however, agree with the principle of a minority government. 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. "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. All rights reserved.The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. Shes forever an Olympian and forever a gold medalist in the tradition of all the great female athletes of past Olympics, Burton said. Right before she won gold on uneven bars at the 2019 U.S. championships, her father fell off a ladder and became paralyzed from the chest down.