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The implementation of name, image and likeness opportunities at the college level have generated plenty of headlines, but that doesn’t mean the companies that work with those athletes in such a fashion want to stop after their collegiate careers end.
Just ask Angel Reese.
“I want people to know the deals don’t just stop in college,” the Chicago Sky rookie said during a Thursday interview on SportsCenter (4:06 mark). “When you go to the pros, it continues. I feel like they’ve grown even more. Now that I’m a pro, I can do so much more.”
Reese became a household name when she was at LSU as she built a resume that included a national championship, SEC Player of the Year and multiple All-American selections. She was one of a handful of stars who helped boost the popularity of women’s college basketball with record television ratings this past season.
And those record ratings didn’t stop, as millions of people tuned in to watch the 2024 WNBA draft as Caitlin Clark, Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Cameron Brink and others all heard their names called.
That type of continued interest surely encourages companies to maintain their partnerships with the players, and Reese has endorsement deals with Reebok, Beats By Dre and more as she begins her WNBA career.
Angel Reese@Reese10Angel
Wearing my new fav Beats Solo 4 in CLOUD PINK for my first campaign with Beats! 💋 Taking these with me everywhere! <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/beatspartner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#beatspartner</a> <a href=”https://t.co/TYiJ9m3WM4″>pic.twitter.com/TYiJ9m3WM4</a>
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As for Clark, she agreed to an eight-year, $28 million deal with Nike after the Indiana Fever made her the No. 1 overall pick after her record-setting collegiate career with Iowa, per Rachel Bachman of the Wall Street Journal.
With the off-the-court endorsements comes additional attention on the court, and Reese began her WNBA career with Wednesday’s season opener.
While her Sky lost to the Dallas Wings 87-79, the LSU product showed her potential with 12 points and eight rebounds. She also figures to assume more responsibilities in the frontcourt while her fellow rookie and teammate Cardoso is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Reese, Clark and other rookies will be under the spotlight this season, and the endorsement deals with surely continue to arrive as long as they live up to their potential on the court
