It’s been a NIL dream for Sunisa Lee since July 1st when the NCAA allowed its athletes to cash in on their personal brands.
Lee comes to Auburn with the chance to become the highest-paid NIL athlete in the entire country. Being an American hero and winning the gold medal in the all-around routine after the star of the team, Simone Biles, stepped down from competition due to mental health issues, gives you that cache.
While the financial figures haven’t been released yet for what she will be paid for doing so, the fact remains:
Sunisa Lee will be on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars:
SUPRISE 🙈🙈🙈 https://t.co/cnIks7LwlJ
— Sunisa lee (@sunisalee_) August 26, 2021
For anyone not familiar with Lee’s new school and the fanatics that follow their athletics, know this:
The Auburn family is behind her 100%…and 100% on the Plains registers higher than in other places.
Take a look at some of the support Tiger fans showered upon Lee after her announcement:
Love that you’re already saying “y’all”! 🧡💙 💃
— Carol 🦚 (@beachws) August 26, 2021
War Damn NIL https://t.co/TI2xLfpqc6
— Will Kelley (@aubietiger1928) August 26, 2021
Wow I hope you will be finished by Auburn gymnastics season start. We have season tix for the first time!!!
— Terry Fagan (@tbfagan) August 26, 2021
Congrats and War Eagle!
— Josh Bridges (@bridgjo10) August 26, 2021
Lee is likely to inspire many Auburn fans of other teams to make way to the Auburn Arena Friday nights this winter. The Gymnastics season begins January 6th.
Lee’s legacy is already secure, but bringing SEC success to the gymnastics program, which placed fifth in the SEC Championship in Huntsville last season, would be another feather in her cap.
The Tigers won just one meet on the mats, beating Georgia but losing to Arkansas, LSU, and Florida during the 2021 season.
Sunisa Lee is all but certain to raise the Tigers’ ceiling. How far she will bring them is to be determined.