Olivia Dunne launches 'The Livvy Fund' at LSU to empower female athletes: ‘I just want to fight for equal NIL opportunities’
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA: Olivia Dunne, the talented gymnast and social media sensation, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative called 'The Livvy Fund' at LSU. This inspiring project aims to empower female student-athletes by connecting them with renowned brands for lucrative NIL endorsement deals. As a senior at LSU, Dunne is determined to utilize her well-established business connections to not only benefit herself but also educate her female peers on the importance of partnerships and personal branding.
Dunne's exceptional success as the highest-paid female athlete in the country has been achieved through her remarkable name, image, and likeness deals with esteemed brands like On3 and Accelerator Active Energy. These brands, recognizing her unparalleled talent and influence, have already pledged their support to The Livvy Fund. In an interview with SI Swimsuit, Dunne expressed her desire to expand this initiative and include as many women student-athletes as possible. Her ultimate goal is to elevate women's sports to the same level of recognition and publicity as men's sports, advocating for equal opportunities and representation.
'I really hope to get as many women student-athletes on board'
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One significant motivation behind The Livvy Fund is the startling statistic that up to 66% of the funds raised by NIL collectives primarily benefit male athletes. Dunne champions the cause of equity and endeavors to rectify this imbalance. She believes it is vital to educate her fellow student-athletes at LSU on how to become savvy businesswomen and build lasting partnerships with brands. Having gained extensive knowledge from her own brand collaborations over the past two years, Dunne is eager to share her expertise and ensure that equal opportunities are available to all.
“I really just hope that [The Livvy Fund] is the first of many,” Dunne tells SI Swimsuit. “I really hope to get as many women student-athletes on board as I can. I want to continue to elevate women’s sports as a whole because they really deserve the same publicity as men’s. We do equal work, we put in equal time in our facilities every day and in school, so I feel like it would be right for this to be equal.”
“The collectives mostly go to the men’s sports here at LSU and I just want to fight for equal NIL opportunities,” she says. “It’s very important to help educate other student-athletes here at LSU on how to be a savvy businesswoman and how to partner with brands. Over the past two years, I’ve learned so much from these brands, so I just want to help educate others and help give equal opportunities.”
Recognizing her unique position as an influential figure on and off the field, Dunne is dedicated to supporting her fellow female student-athletes as they navigate the increasingly complex world of NIL endorsements. By capitalizing on opportunities while still in school, these women can develop the necessary skills to further expand their personal brands after graduation. Dunne wishes to inspire and empower other girls, demonstrating that they too can excel as savvy businesswomen while benefiting from their NIL rights.
'Girls can have it all'
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To make The Livvy Fund a resounding success, brands, fans, and supporters are invited to contribute through various donation options. Whether making a one-time, monthly, or annual payment, every dollar counts. Additionally, fans can choose to contribute at different levels of support ranging from $10 to $5,000 per month. However, Dunne emphasizes that monetary donations are not the only way to make a valuable contribution. She encourages individuals to spread the word, mention the fund on social media, and raise awareness to help The Livvy Fund become a widespread movement.
“I just want to show other girls that they can have it all, they can be a savvy businesswoman, they can capitalize on their NIL while still in college,” Dunne says. “Being at the forefront of NIL while still at LSU and while only being 20 years old, I hope that it shows other girls that they can do it, too.”
While initially focused on LSU's female student-athletes, Dunne envisions expanding similar programs to other college campuses in the future. Long-term, she hopes The Livvy Fund will foster enduring brand partnerships among her peers. Drawing from her own experiences, Dunne provides invaluable advice on selecting authentic brands that align with personal values and core beliefs. Authenticity is key, as audiences can easily detect insincerity. Equally crucial is the importance of cultivating a supportive team of trustworthy individuals, ignoring external noise, and staying true to oneself.
As Dunne prepares for her senior year and reflects on her journey, she aspires for The Livvy Fund to leave a remarkable legacy at LSU even after her graduation. It is a surreal experience for her to be in a position where she can genuinely help others, but she firmly believes that it is her destiny to make a positive impact and leave her indelible mark on the world.