Olivia Dunne’s final season at LSU starts today… but what’s next for the Sports Illustrated and gym superstar?
The last time social media sensation Olivia Dunne was faced with a crossroads to end her athletic life, she opted to stay in Baton Rouge and pursue one final college gymnastics season at LSU, and that starts today.
In about three months, Dunne’s time as a Tiger gymnast will end, even if LSU repeats as national champions.
Dunne is one of the biggest stars in college sports and what she will do next in life is highly anticipated.
The 22-year-old has a name, image and likeness evaluation of $4.2 million per To3with that number likely to skyrocket once she is no longer under the NCAA banner and generating revenue for herself.
Dunne playing a bigger role at LSU, as she was usually the first off the bench in the floor exercises and once competed on the uneven bars, will only put her in the spotlight even more when she hangs up her leotard for the final time.
Now that Dunne’s athletics career likely has an end date, here’s what could be next for arguably the biggest star of college sports’ NIL era…
Olivia Dunne’s final collegiate gymnastics season at LSU begins with a meet against Iowa State
Dunne will keep an eye on her throughout the year as the Tigers try to repeat as national champions
Become a full-time influencer
Dunne has more than 13 million followers on social media, a huge number even if TikTok is banned in the United States.
Through her brand deals and social media, Dunne probably makes enough to support herself without getting a “real” job.
Dunne already knows the ins and outs of what it takes to make social media her main career, since she does it in addition to all the time she spends at LSU.
Now, Dunne would have time off the mat and the balance beam to focus on making more content, and therefore more money.
Dunne could also expand that reach, through YouTube or other media that comes to market.
Dunne has modeled for Nautica in the past and could land a full-time job in that field
If Dunne doesn’t pursue modeling, television work could be in her not-too-distant future
More traditional career options
When exploring a career outside of social media, her major in interdisciplinary studies, which essentially means studying from a few different fields, doesn’t provide any insight.
An adjacent social media career, which Dunne has dabbled in at LSU, would involve modeling or television work.
Whether it’s through Nautica or her own social media, Dunne has a knack for getting the best quality photos and is clearly comfortable in front of the camera.
When he’s ready in front of the camera, Dunne could pursue a career in broadcasting, whether it’s for SEC Network or a future Olympiad.
Dunne has been dating baseball star Paul Skenes since both were student-athletes at LSU
Skenes was by Dunne’s side and vice versa during many high-profile events in their lives
Embrace the MLB WAG lifestyle
Dunne’s romance with baseball star Paul Skenes has become an indelible part of her brand.
She watched his minor league performances in housing at LSU and made sure to travel around the country with him as he rose to the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation and then to an All-Star Game starter.
Skenes enters the 2025 MLB season as one of the best pitchers in baseball and shows no signs of slowing down.
While opening day and the end of the gymnastics season will likely collide, it seems like a perfect gift for Dunne to himself to spend a lot of time traveling around the country to check out the Skene field.
And it would be great for social media content.
Dunne’s active gymnastics may be coming to an end, but she doesn’t have to leave the SEC
Dunne, seen here posing with LSU signee and Team USA’s Hezly Rivera, could be in her future coaching
Continue to pursue gymnastics full-time
Here’s a dark candidate for Dunne, with a possible route for her if she’s interested.
There are plenty of Division I gymnastics programs that wouldn’t mind having Dunne’s expertise on their staff.
While becoming an SEC coach seems like a distant goal for Dunne at this point, current Arkansas coach and former Team USA gold medalist Jordyn Wieber started in high school at the age of 22.
Wieber has also been head coach of the Razorbacks since 2019. Dunne could easily follow in those footsteps.