LSU's Flau'jae Johnson is Staying in School, Dexcom U Using NIL to Celebrate College Athletes with Diabetes,+ ICYMI | Newsletter #322

Apr 24, 2025

Today’s Thursday newsletter includes highlights from this week, important news from last week, and what to watch for.

Keep up to date on all of our newsletters and content by checking out past Optimum Sports Consulting Newsletters, and following us on Twitter!

Recapping Major News This Week:

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson has announced her return for her final collegiate season, after foregoing the WNBA Draft and the transfer portal.
Johnson returns to LSU as one of the biggest names in college sports and a NIL Valuation of $1.5 Million.
Besides being a stellar basketball player, Johnson is also known for signing a NIL deal with Roc Nation for her rap career. Johnson released her first album last year, featuring a collaboration with Lil Wayne.
Johnson stacks up the NIL deals with companies such as JBL Audio, Mondelez, Apple Cash, Powerade, and more.
Johnson also is an equity partner in the Unrivaled Basketball League that was founded by Breanna Stewart.
Johnson returns to LSU where she helped lead the team to a National Title in her freshman season after putting up career-high numbers such as 18.6 ppg, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Johnson looks to return to the National Championship after exiting in the Elite 8 this past season.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

Dexcom, the gloabal leader in real-time continuous gluclose monitoring for people with Diabetes, launched its own NIL program for athletes with Diabetes called Dexcom U.
Dexcom U is accepting nationwide applications, looking for passionate and inspiring athletes who want to share their own story with Diabetes.
The athletes selected, along with the eight returning athletes will be invited to the Dexcom U Signing Day Camp this summer which is hosted by Dexcom Warrior and Baltimore Ravens Tight-End Mark Andrews.
Now through May 23, athletes, coaches, friends, and family members can nominate candidates through Dexom U’s online submission.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

Olivia Dunne, LSU Gymnastt, announces retirement from gymnastics at 22 years old, concluding a stellar career that included extreme NIL success. - LINK
Chicago White Sox jump back into the NIL space for its fourth time, announcing their partnership with athletes from the Chicago area. - LINK
Judge Matthew T. Houston declined to grant the preliminary injunction in the Jones v. NCAA and Smith v. NCAA cases where former football players from Duke and UNC are challenging the NCAA’s “fifth-year rule.”- LINK
Former Men’s Basketball Walk-On at the University of New Mexico looks to add a former teammate to his current pending NIL litigation for an alledge altercation that took place. - LINK
Diadora, an italian sports wear company, signs Villanova star runner, Marco Langon, as its first NIL athlete. - LINK

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA following a dispute over his $8 million NIL deal, signaling one of the biggest quarterback transfers of the NIL era.
Iamaleava helped lead the Volunteers to a 10–3 season and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, finishing with 2,830 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.
The quarterback’s move is reportedly tied to concerns about the structure and payout schedule of his multi-million-dollar NIL agreement with a Tennessee-based collective.
At UCLA, he will enter a quarterback competition that includes senior Ethan Garbers and App State transfer Joey Aguilar.
The development highlights the increasing legal and financial complexity of large NIL contracts and their enforceability.
Tennessee’s coaching staff released a brief statement wishing Iamaleava well, without directly addressing the NIL situation.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

In an order on Wednesday, Judge Wilkens informed the attorneys that she intends to deny preliminary approval of the NCAA’s proposed settlement in the House v. NCAA antitrust case if the roster limits are not changed.
Judgle Wilkens noted that while the settlement did receive preliminary approval, that did not mean that final approval was certain.
A main point of contention in the case are the implications that the roster limits will have on current college athletes.
Judge Wilkens directed the attorney’s to meet with the mediator to modify the settlement to address the roster limit proposal.
NCAA attorney’s are concerned that a modification of “grandfathering” in current student-athletes will lead to significant disruptions.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

Keep up to date on all of our newsletters and content by checking out past Optimum Sports Consulting Newsletters, and following us on Twitter!