By 
Last Updated on July 21, 2023
Nike has excelled at making its presence known through name, image, and likeness. The legendary sportswear brand has a roster of both college and high school athletes from a variety of sports, including soccer, track and field, basketball, and golf.
These athletes, recognized as some of the best in their respective sports, showcase Nike’s commitment to supporting the development of young athletes on and off the playing field. Through NIL, Nike encourages athletes to embrace their stories’ power and commitment to excellence.
We’ll be updating this post as Nike signs more athletes.
Nike Soccer NIL Deals
Alyssa and Gisele Thompson
The first high school athletes Nike signed to NIL deals were high school women’s soccer sensations Alyssa and Gisele Thompson in May of 2022. The Thompson sisters signed multi-year deals with Nike and have starred on the USA national youth soccer team and at their high school, Harvard Westlake High School in Los Angeles.
Both Alyssa and Gisele have won Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football) championships for their respective U.S. National Soccer teams, Alyssa with the U-20 team as a junior and Gisele as a sophomore on the U-17 team. Although the Thompson sisters were committed to Stanford, Alyssa Thompson was the number one pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft by Angel City F.C. and is ripe to impact the NWSL, with her sister likely to follow in her footsteps.
Reilyn Turner
One of Nike’s first college athletes signed to a NIL deal was UCLA Bruins soccer player Reilyn Turner. Turner expressed tremendous gratitude for partnering with Nike through NIL and saw the partnership as a way to use soccer to create opportunities for those in her community.
“As a Black woman and Mexican American, I think about those who have paved the way for me, and how they used their platforms to create so much change, even beyond sport, I hope to be a role model for those around me and those after me, and I’m so excited to be a part of what Nike is bringing to the future of women’s sport,” said Turner after signing a deal with Naomi Osaka’s suncare brand Kinlò. The former Laguna Beach High School standout was pivotal in UCLA’s NCAA title run.
Simone Jackson
USC women’s soccer player Simone Jackson signed a NIL deal with Nike. Nike signed the Trojan soccer star before her competing on the U-20 U.S. National Soccer team. Given Jackson attends a Nike apparel school; she has had an extended relationship with the brand.
Nike Track & Field NIL Deals
Charles Hicks
In an attempt to stay true to its track and field roots, Nike signed Stanford cross-country champion Charles Hicks. Hicks shared the news of his NIL deal on his YouTube channel, which has over 30,000 subscribers. Hicks will promote the brand’s products across social media as part of the deal. The seven-time All-American became the first Stanford runner in history to win the Cross-country national championship. In addition, Hicks was awarded the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Men’s Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Parker Valby
University of Florida track and field superstar Parker Valby is coming off one of the best seasons for a Florida track and field athlete. Valby won the NCAA 5000m championship and followed that up with an outdoor title. She is Nike’s first female track athlete signed to a NIL deal. The national champion took to Instagram to express her excitement about the partnership and the significance Nike has had on her career. “I’m thrilled to announce that Nike is sponsoring me as their first female NCAA T&F athlete. Nike has given me the tools to pursue my passion at the highest level, and I’m so excited for what the future holds,” says Valby.
Mia Brahe-Pedersen
This month, Oregon native Mia Brahe-Pedersen became the first prep track and field athlete to sign a NIL deal with Nike. Brahe-Pedersen is arguably the best high school sprinter in Oregon history and has the numbers to prove it. She broke a national record in the 100m. She was lights out earning at the Nike Outdoor Track Nationals, winning the 100m, 200m, and 4×400. She joins a group of high school athletes from Oregon who have signed NIL deals with Oregon-based apparel brands that feature Oregon high school basketball phenom, Jackson Shelstad.
Nike Basketball NIL Deals
Bronny James
It’s no real surprise Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA player LeBron James, signed with Nike in October 2022 given his father’s decade-plus relationship with Nike. He has also inked NIL deals with PSD Underwear, Beats by Dre and appeared in a commercial for Fast X.
“For as long as I can remember, Nike’s been a part of my family,” James said. “Getting a chance to team up with them and continue my family’s legacy both on the court and in the community is wild — it really means a lot to me.”
Caitlin Clark
Undoubtedly, Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark is one of the most prominent names in women’s basketball. Her exceptional skills and achievements have earned her numerous awards and accolades, making her a standout in the sport. Among her many accomplishments are the Wooden Award All-America, first-team AP All-America, USBWA All-America, and WBCA All-America recognitions. As if that’s not impressive enough, she is also a consensus first-team All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year, and a finalist for the prestigious Naismith Trophy.
Beyond her on-court success, Caitlin Clark has also capitalized on the opportunities presented by the NIL era in college sports. She has secured endorsement deals with H&R Block and Hy-Vee, showcasing her marketability and appeal beyond the basketball court.
Haley Jones
All-American Stanford forward Haley Jones was another in the group that signed with Nike in October 2022. She has other NIL deals with Beats by Dre, Uncle Funky’s Daughter and cryptocurrency company CoinCloud. Jones is a former NCAA Women’s basketball champion and tournament MVP.
Regarding the Nike NIL deal, she remarked, “Basketball has given me so much over the years. I’m excited about this partnership’s opportunity — to give back to my community in more ways than I ever imagined possible.” The two-time USBWA All-America and AP All-America recipient aims to utilize her partnership with Nike to spearhead initiatives benefiting underserved communities.
JuJu Watkins
Juju Watkins signed with Nike in October 2022 when she was a senior guard from Sierra Canyon. Among her achievements are being named California Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Player of the Year. Notably, she is an enthusiastic volunteer within the Los Angeles community, dedicating her efforts to organizations like the Watts Labor Community Action Committee and youth basketball camps. Her vision revolves around revitalizing basketball courts in her community and reshaping the landscape of women’s basketball for the better.
“My family’s always given back to the community, and now it is my turn,” Watkins said. “With Nike’s support, I know I can make a difference. I can’t wait to share my love for the game with young athletes in Los Angeles – especially in the Watts community and around the world.”
DJ Wagner
DJ Wagner is the son of former NBA player Dajuan Wagner and was touted as a top high school prospect in the 2023 class from Camden, New Jersey. He signed as part of the October 2022 group with Nike.
“I’ve seen the impact this game – and the people who play it – can have on the community, and I am looking forward to taking it to the next level with Nike in Camden and beyond” Wagner said. DJ has already secured a deal with Drake’s NOCTA, a Nike sub-label.
Kiki Rice
Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike, has signed a pair of women’s basketball players to NIL deals, UCLA Bruins Kiki Rice and five-star high school basketball player Kiyomi McMiller. Rice was Jordan Brand’s first NIL signee.
The former 2021-22 Gatorade Player of the Year expressed tremendous gratitude for being the first athlete to sign with Jordan Brand by saying, “Being Jordan Brand’s first NIL athlete is an incredible milestone, and I think it’s a testament to the hard work I’ve put in and all the people around me who have helped me get to this point.” Jordan Brand will collaborate with Rice on local community initiatives to improve gender equity among girls’ participation in sports.
Kiyomi McMiller
High school basketball blue chip Kiyomi McMiller joins Rice, becoming Jordan’s first NIL high school athlete. The five-star point guard from Silver Spring, Maryland, sees the NIL partnership with Jordan Brand as a testament to her hard work and passion for the game. With her superb handle and playmaking ability, McMller has earned the nickname ‘The Product’ and has the skill set to make a difference at the college level.
McMiller stated, “I’m always in the gym with my mom and dad, working on my game. It’s a dream come true being with the brand that stands for the same passion that I have for the game. I look forward to encouraging basketball players to use their creativity and platform to define their purpose.”
Nike Golf NIL Deals
Rachel Heck
Nike signed Stanford Golf’s Rachel Heck to the first golf NIL deal. Heck is one of the top amateurs in the nation and took to Twitter to share the news of her NIL deal with Nike with her followers, “Just Did It. So excited and honored to be the first NIL @NikeGolf athlete. I’ve always dreamed of being part of this family.” The 2021 NCAA individual champion has multiple NIL deals with Whistle Sports and Six Star Nutrition.
Leave a Reply