/>LSU gymnast and social media sensation Olivia "Livvy" Dunne has spoken out strongly against the proposed $2.8 billion NCAA settlement, arguing that it severely undervalues her worth as the highest-paid female college athlete.
During a final fairness hearing held via Zoom on Monday, April 7, the 22-year-old addressed Judge Claudia Wilken with a passionate statement, making the case that the NCAA’s formula for determining compensation based on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) does not reflect the full extent of what she lost during the pre-NIL era.
“This deal fails to recognize the value I’ve lost,” Dunne declared, according to reports by Forbes and the Associated Press. “My value existed before NIL was legalized. I don’t have to guess what I could have earned — I know. I had a growing platform and millions of followers before I even stepped on a college campus.”
The Face of Female College Athletics
Dunne’s testimony is especially impactful because she’s become a household name far beyond college gymnastics. With millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, Dunne has become a trailblazer in monetizing athletic fame — and her story has often been used as a prime example of the power of NIL deals.
According to her statement, brands were actively showing interest in partnerships with her well before NIL rules changed, yet she was legally unable to accept sponsorships until 2021.
“There was real demand,” she told the court. “Brands were interested. My audience was engaged. But I couldn’t benefit financially because of outdated NCAA rules.”
Dunne’s rise in popularity began in high school and exploded once she entered LSU. Despite her elite athletic ability, it's her massive online presence and marketability that made her one of the first female college athletes to land seven-figure brand deals after NIL restrictions were lifted.
What’s at Stake in the NCAA Settlement
The proposed $2.8 billion class-action settlement is intended to compensate thousands of former NCAA athletes who were barred from earning income from their NIL during their college years. However, critics argue that the formula used to determine individual payouts favors revenue-generating male sports like football and basketball, sidelining women athletes and less-publicized sports.
Dunne’s testimony highlights this disparity. Though she is among the most marketable athletes of her generation, her projected compensation under the settlement would be a fraction of what top male athletes might receive — despite her far-reaching influence.
“The system still doesn’t see us the same way,” she implied in her statement, alluding to ongoing gender inequities in college athletics.
Supporters Rally Behind Her
Following her testimony, many fans and fellow athletes voiced support online. Some praised her for using her platform to stand up not only for herself but for other women athletes whose earning potential was similarly stifled by outdated NCAA regulations.
“She’s speaking up for every female athlete who lost out,” one supporter wrote on social media. “It’s not just about Livvy — it’s about fairness.”
A Symbol of the NIL Generation
Livvy Dunne’s case underscores how much the landscape of college sports has shifted. She is not just an athlete — she is a brand, a businesswoman, and a cultural icon for a generation of young women who are redefining what it means to succeed in sports.
Whether the NCAA settlement will be revised in response to testimonies like Dunne’s remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Livvy Dunne isn’t just flipping on a gymnastics mat — she’s flipping the script on what female athletes can demand, and what they deserve.