Olivia Dunne has taken social media by storm since joining TikTok in 2020, amassing 13.2 million followers across the platform and Instagram since then, propelling her to quickly become one of the most valuable college athletes due to lucrative NIL deals.
But, the 21-year-old LSU gymnastics star, who is valued as the second-highest NIL earner behind Colorado quarterback Sheddeur Sanders ($4.8M) at $3.9M, could quickly be dethroned by a certain University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football player… Kate Faasse.
According to Barstool Sports, Faasse’s name went viral on X after an account called ‘College Cuties’ shared racy snaps from her Instagram account on the platform.
The post has generated nearly 3 million views since it was shared earlier this month on July 10.
Faasse, a junior joining UNC, plays midfielder or forward for the Tar Heels, according to the team’s official website. She scored two goals and assisted three times in 23 games during the 2023 season, playing a total of 716 minutes.
UNC midfielder Kate Faasse is considered the next college star athlete.
The 21-year-old, who can also play forward, is set to spend his junior year in Chapel Hill.
She first went viral after her Instagram snaps were shared on X and in a Barstool Sports story.
Faasse has some catching up to do, however, as Olivia Dunne’s NIL valuation has been set at $3.9 million.
In 2022, the Phoenix, Arizona native scored and assisted twice in 17 games played as a freshman.
Prior to college, Faasse scored 31 goals and assisted 12 times in high school despite missing his junior season due to injury.
In addition to football, he enjoys painting in his spare time, according to the UNC website.
Faasse also comes from a family of high-level athletes, as his mother ran track in college while his grandfather was a professional baseball player.
Born in 2004, the football player is just a year younger than Dunne, who will return to LSU in the fall to compete for a fifth year on the Tigers’ gymnastics team.
Faasse, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, scored twice and assisted three times in 23 games for UNC in 2023.
Born in 2004, the footballer is just a year younger than Dunne, who will return to LSU in September.
Dunne clearly has the advantage when it comes to social media followers: 13.2 million to 21.6 thousand.
She is sponsored by Accelerator Active Energy (seen with Travis Kelce), Vuori, Nautica, etc.
So as long as Dunne remains in college, it seems unlikely anyone will be able to dethrone her, including Faasse, who is yet to make On3’s NIL 100 list.
Dunne is the only woman to crack the top 10 on the list, followed by Flau’jae Johnson at No. 12 with a valuation of $1.2 million NIL.
Dunne can also rely on her relationship with MLB All-Star Paul Skenes to boost her popularity, as her boyfriend continues to impress with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The rookie pitcher made his red carpet debut with Dunne earlier this week.
Dunne has also established a modeling career through one of her NIL contracts with Sports Illustrated. She is also sponsored by clothing brands American Eagle, Nautica, Vuori and the energy drink Accelerator Active Energy, for which she starred in an ad with Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Before going to college, Faasse (left wing) scored 31 goals and assisted 12 times in high school.
In addition to making money from lucrative NIL deals, Dunne also models for Spots Illustrated.
Dunne is also increasing her popularity in baseball due to her romance with MLB’s Paul Skenes.
So, despite racking up an impressive total of 21,600 followers across Instagram and TikTok, Faasse is still a ways away from catching up to Dunne.
But, once Dunne completes her senior year in Baton Rouge, then Faasse could see his popularity exponentially just like the gymnast’s.
Only time will tell.
You better not drop your crown anytime soon, Livvy…