This Saturday marks the highly anticipated MLB debut of Paul Skenes, the top pitching prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Skenes, known for his stellar performance in the SEC last year at LSU and his swift ascent in professional baseball, is not the only reason this debut is garnering attention. His relationship with Olivia Dunne, a prominent figure in general American culture, also adds to the excitement.
Dunne, a recently retired gymnast from LSU, played a pivotal role in her team’s 2024 National Championship win. She is a significant presence beyond the sports world, boasting over 13 million followers across Instagram and TikTok. Dunne is a major player in the marketing sphere with endorsements from brands like Vuori, Grubhub, and American Eagle, and she has even featured in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition. Known as one of the prominent faces of the Name, Image, and Likeness rights (NIL) for college athletes, Dunne’s influence extends to billboards in Times Square, highlighting her substantial public appeal.
RELATED: Olivia Dunne’s MLB Boyfriend Paul Skenes Reacts To Her Winning National Championship
The announcement of Skenes’ debut this weekend led to speculation about whether Dunne would be present. It seems she will indeed be attending, raising the possibility that her presence could boost viewership of the game, much like Taylor Swift’s attendance at NFL games boosted viewers for her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s team.
While Dunne may not be as universally known as Swift, and her fan demographic differs, any increase in viewership can still be significant for the Pirates.
As Skenes prepares to take the mound against the Cubs at PNC Park, the focus is undoubtedly on his performance. However, the subplot involving Olivia Dunne’s attendance is sure to add an extra layer of interest to the event.
