LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson signs NIL partnership with Unrivaled, joining Paige Bueckers

LSU Tigers guard and rapper Flau’jae Johnson signs an NIL contract with Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s professional league that will begin play in January.

Johnson joins fellow college basketball star and presumptive No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers as the league’s first NIL athletes. As part of the deal, Johnson will receive equity in the league and “will collaborate on content throughout the season.” The league, founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, will have 36 players, all with equity ownership.

“They’re competitors and they know that there’s high-level basketball there, it’s marketed well, their focus is going to be solely on women’s basketball – I think that’s going to be great,” Johnson told Sports Illustrated. She also said she plans to join Unrivaled when she graduates from the WNBA.

According to On3, Johnson already has NIL deals with Raising Cane’s, Amazon, Powerade, The Athlete’s Foot and others. Earlier this year, she released her second EP, performed at the ESPY Awards and collaborated with Lil Wayne. Johnson signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label in January.

Johnson, 21, was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list earlier this week.

In nine games so far this season, Johnson leads the team (9-0) with 22.3 points per game and adds 6.3 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Johnson won a national championship with the Tigers in 2023.