LSU star Flau’jae Johnson has secured a new NIL deal with Unrivaled, and this partnership could have significant implications.
Despite Unrivaled already having rosters filled with talent, the organization is making sure to also have stars lined up for the future. Earlier this year, the league announced a special NIL deal with UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers, and now they are doing the same with LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson.
On Thursday, the new basketball organization revealed that they are signing the young basketball player to a sponsorship that guarantees her league equity. As part of the agreement, she will also be creating unique content for Unrivaled. (Maybe we can expect some original content or hype music from the rapper.)
However, there is a significant factor to consider. Johnson is still in college and has not yet indicated whether she plans to enter the WNBA, leaving many wondering what her new deal means for the future.
Here’s a hint: According to Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal, Flau’jae is expected to join Unrivaled in January 2026, which would require her to forego her senior season at LSU. If she decides to skip her final year, it could also indicate that she is declaring early and entering the 2025 WNBA Draft.
She would technically meet the league’s criteria of being a senior or turning 22 in the same calendar year as the draft, allowing her to play a full WNBA season with Bueckers before joining her in Miami for Unrivaled’s second year.
