When Olivia Dunne Spoke Out About Equal Opportunities for Men and Women in NCAA Sports
January 31, 2025: LSU s Olivia Livvy Dunne is introduced to the crowd prior to NCAA, College League, USA Gymnastics action between the Missouri Tigers and the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA. /CSM Baton Rouge USA - ZUMAc04_ 20250131_zma_c04_168 Copyright: xJonathanxMailhesx
January 31, 2025: LSU s Olivia Livvy Dunne is introduced to the crowd prior to NCAA, College League, USA Gymnastics action between the Missouri Tigers and the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA. /CSM Baton Rouge USA - ZUMAc04_ 20250131_zma_c04_168 Copyright: xJonathanxMailhesx
While her stardom and status as the highest-paid female NIL athlete set gymnastics star Olivia Dunne apart, the former LSU icon also had a side unknown to many.
In 2023, juggling gym meets and endorsement deals, the 20-year-old Dunne had 10M followers and 7-figure earnings. But another of her career highlights was how she pushed for NCAA equality.
“There's so many professional leagues for men's sports after college, but there's such a small timeframe for women to capitalize,” she told People magazine in 2023. "Opportunities for men and women in NCAA sports should be equal. But a lot of the NIL collectives only go to men's athletics.”
FOX 2026 Upfront Livvy Dunne attending the FOX 2026 Upfront held at New York City Center on May 11, 2026 in New York City, CA New York City New York City Center NY USA Copyright: xStevenxBergman/AFF-USA.COMx
FOX 2026 Upfront Livvy Dunne attending the FOX 2026 Upfront held at New York City Center on May 11, 2026 in New York City, CA New York City New York City Center NY USA Copyright: xStevenxBergman/AFF-USA.COMx
After the NCAA’s upgraded NIL policy, which allowed athletes to capitalize on their name, image and likeness, Dunne quickly became a leading force. She showed that women gymnasts don’t need to rely on elite competitions alone to build their own legacy.
“I want to show you can do whatever you love,” she added to the same interview. “Whether it's gymnastics or music or painting, and capitalize on it and create your own business."
Dunne didn’t need to reach an Olympic podium to deliver her message. If anything, she wanted to motivate young female athletes beyond their sports.
Olivia Dunne's Message to Young Female Athletes'
In a sport where athletes are measured by medal counts and records, Dunne’s impact always went beyond. And in a 2023 interview by Hurrdat Sports in Omaha, she proved it once more.
“You’re more than your sport,” Dunne said when asked what message she had for young female athletes. “That’s really important to remember.”
In fact, she said the same to People magazine in 2023. When no one provided a guidebook for managing everything while doing it all, Dunne took a step further and showed it.
“There was no roadmap of how to do school, your athletics and social media all at the same time... And I figured I could change that,” she said. “I could pave the way and be a good example to young girls that look up to me.”
Her blueprint, balancing sport, business, and advocacy, now guides a generation. But do you find her inspiring? Let us know in the comments.
Follow Gymnastics Digest for more.
Written by
Deblina Roy