The South Carolina Gamecocks wrapped up their flawless season by defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 to cap off their undefeated season. This victory wasn’t just a win; it was a monumental moment for women’s basketball. For the first time ever, the Women’s National Championship game drew more viewers than the men’s, with nearly 19 million people tuning in last Sunday, significantly outpacing the 14.8 million who watched the men’s game on Monday.
The Gamecocks’ historic season has been one for the books, and as they head into the offseason, the celebration continues. Thanks to the possibilities opened up by name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, the team is looking at a promising horizon filled with opportunities.
This has become the norm. After the ladies won their championship in 2022, the whole team was rewarded with an opportunity for each player to make up to $25,000 for the entire 2022-2023 season. This opportunity was made possible through a partnership between the NIL Collective Garnet Trust and NOCAP Sports. The support is evident in this community, and now it has only extended onto a national scale.
Freshman sensation guard Milaysia Fulwiley will return next year as an even better player, and she continues to make history this season through NIL. Making history once again when she became the first athlete to sign an NIL deal with Red Bull.
Along with an undisclosed payment, the Columbia native has access to the brand’s performance centers, including its fashion, music, and extreme sports platforms. The brand also congratulated her after she won her title.
A few weeks prior, she also became the first collegiate athlete to sign with the Steph Curry footwear brand through Under Armour, the same team she played with in her senior year of AAU basketball. She was a part of the Team Curry camp and has a strong relationship with Curry off the court as well.
It also helps that the Gamecocks are an Under Armour school, and there is no reason she will leave her hometown before she finishes her college career. In Columbia, a local favorite called Mr. Seafood allowed Fullwiley to launch her signature sauce there as well.
We’ve spoken about one player that has garnered even more attention as the ladies celebrate their win; even more, brands will want to align within the winner’s circle.
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