Louisiana State University forward Angel Reese bested Iowa and Caitlin Clark during the March Madness tournament on Sunday, helping LSU win its first-ever women’s title.
Reese, a 2023 unanimous first team All-American who averaged 23 points and 15.4 rebounds per game this season, was one of the best players on the court, and went viral for doing the famous “you can’t see me” gesture — a move that Clark did earlier in the tournament, which has come to be seen as Clark’s signature.
While Reese’s “you can’t see me” taunt has sparked conversation, Clark said that she didn’t even notice, because she was too focused on the game.
For her part, Reese says she was just being “unapologetically” herself.
“All year, I was critiqued about who I was,” she said during the postgame news conference. “I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in…So this was for the girls that look like me, that’s going to speak up on what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you.”
And throughout this year’s tournament, Reese has undoubtedly increased her profile — both on the court, and when it comes to sponsorships.
Reese was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four after setting an NCAA single-season record with her 34th double-double against the Hawkeyes.
Reese has more 1.7 million followers on Instagram and TikTok combined, and she has gained more than 300,000 Instagram followers over the past four days alone. And every time you refresh her page, it seems like she’s gained another thousand followers.
Her presence on the court and on social media have made her a hot commodity for sponsors. Reese has one of the most impressive NIL (“name, image and likeness”) portfolios in the entire nation, and she posted sponsored content on her Instagram page with brands like Wingstop
WING,
Bose and Sonic during LSU’s March title pursuit.
Reese and other college athletes have been able profit off their name, image and likeness since 2021, when the NCAA changed its policies.
From the archives: Women could make more money than men on NIL deals
Reese, whose nickname is the “Bayou Barbie,” has 17 different NIL sponsors, which is the most among any men’s or women’s college basketball player, and the fifth-most of any collegiate athlete, according to an NIL report by Sponsors United.
Reese also has sponsorship deals with brands including Coach, Amazon
AMZN,
Raising Cane’s and Banter by Piercing Pagoda. According to NIL tracking site On3, Reese makes about $392,000 from her endorsements per year, and that was calculated before her national title victory.
Women’s basketball ranks behind only football and men’s basketball in total NIL compensation, according to data from NIL company Opendorse, a technology company that connects athletes with brands.
Related: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: who is the GOAT when it comes to net worth?
But the new NIL rules in college athletics have come under fire lately. During a Congressional hearing last week, a subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce heard testimony from college administrators, a current college softball player, and a university president on problems with today’s NIL rules.
“The current NIL chaos means student-athletes are left to fend for themselves,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington’s fifth district. “And those at the top of their game must figure out how to maneuver through a multiple of agents, collectives and high dollar contract offers all while maintaining their academic and athletic commitments.”
This post was originally published on Market Watch
