The NCAA’s highest-paid female athlete, Olivia Dunne, has announced that she is “not Dunne yet” and will be returning for a fifth year at LSU.
On Monday, July 8, Dunne shared the exciting news in an Instagram post, reflecting on her transformative journey with the university’s gymnastics team.
“Dear LSU, these past four years have changed my life,” Dunne, 21, declared in her video post, which featured highlights of her remarkable achievements. “There’s something about putting on a purple and gold leotard. There’s something about competing in front of 13,000 screaming Tiger fans.”
She continued, “There’s something about being pushed by your coaches to be your very best. And there’s something about being a part of a team that made school history.”
Dunne concluded her heartfelt message with, “And no matter how many opportunities come my way off the mat, there’s just something about LSU. And that’s why I’m here to say I’m not Dunne yet.”
The New Jersey native has seen her success at LSU translate into a robust off-the-mat career. Over the past four years, Dunne has become a social media powerhouse, securing numerous endorsements and earning a coveted spot in the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
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With an estimated net worth of $3.9 million according to the On3 NIL 100 list, Dunne emerged as the top-earning female athlete in the NCAA following the adoption of the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy in July 2021.
This policy allowed student-athletes to accept sponsorship deals, significantly boosting Dunne’s earnings and visibility.
Following LSU’s NCAA gymnastics championship win in April, Dunne celebrated by purchasing a new house.
Her personal life has also been in the spotlight, particularly her relationship with Pittsburgh Pirates pitching phenom Paul Skenes. Skenes, who also played for LSU, recently made headlines by being named to the MLB All-Star team, just two months after his promotion from the minors.
Dunne shared her pride and joy for Skenes in a post on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating him on his achievement. The couple celebrated his All-Star selection with balloons and pizza, highlighting their supportive and joyful relationship.
In an interview with PEOPLE in May, Dunne discussed her plans for the summer, emphasizing a mix of relaxation and fulfilling her numerous work commitments. “During my season I have a bunch of work obligations, I push them aside to the summer because I’m just so busy during the season and then it kind of starts to pile up during my summers,” she explained. “So right now I’m starting to get to the point where it’s piling up a bit, but I’m going to balance it all and I’m going to make everything work between going and seeing Paul, working and relaxing.”
As Dunne prepares for another year at LSU, fans and followers eagerly anticipate her continued success both on and off the mat. Her dedication to her sport, her team, and her personal growth remains an inspiration to many.
