On Monday, UConn star guard Paige Bueckers announced via social media that she signed a multiyear name, image, and likeness deal with Gatorade, becoming the first NCAA student-athlete to sign with the iconic sports drink company.
As part of the arrangement, she’ll promote the brand in television commercials, social posts, product collaborations, and events. She will also be participating in the brand 2022 equity efforts. Like her first NIL deal with StockX, Bueckers will also prioritize elevating women in sports and women’s basketball in particular.
“It was a blessing to win Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, and now it’s truly surreal to be an official member of the Gatorade Family,” Bueckers said in a news release. “I know this is just the beginning of our partnership and can’t wait to get to work with Gatorade to drive impact in the community and on the women’s game.”
A point guard. A leader. A Bucket 🪣 And now, the newest member of the Gatorade Family. Welcome to the squad @paigebueckers1 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/of4C0uMAPc
— Gatorade (@Gatorade) November 29, 2021
Bueckers becomes the latest to join Gatorade’s elite roster of female athletes, including Serena Williams, Olympic gold-medal hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin, Elena Delle Donne, Abby Wambach, and Candace Parker.
“I know this is just the beginning of our partnership and can’t wait to get to work with Gatorade to drive impact in the community and on the women’s game,” Bueckers said in an email via Bloomberg.
Other UConn players to sign major NIL deals early on in the season include Azzi Fudd, who signed major NIL deals with Chipotle and BioSteel, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who partnered with fitness apparel company Fabletics. Both Christyn Williams and Caroline Ducharme recently signed with Excel Sports Management to manage their NIL deals.
