Flau’Jae Johnson is turning heads in a way that has never been seen before and cashing in. Apart from being a basketball player at LSU, she skillfully turned her talents into a lucrative career, obtaining huge endorsement contracts and making a six-figure salary.
How Johnson Became One of the Highest-Earning College Athletes
Johnson’s skills in sports and music have helped her build up an impressive financial portfolio. According to reports, her net worth is currently around $7 million, as per several sources.
Her NIL valuation is $1.5 million, which puts her at the top of the list of highest-earning college athletes.
She has made a name for herself by securing endorsement deals with well-known brands such as Powerade, Puma, Amazon, Experian, and Intuit TurboTax.
Regarding that Puma deal, she revealed in an interview with VladTV on YouTube that “I got that way before I even went to college like I was in high school.”
She bought a 20-acre piece of land in Atlanta at just 20 years old. This property is estimated to be worth around $600,000, considering Georgia’s average land cost of $30,000 per acre as of October 2024.
“As soon as I started making real money, I knew I had to be intentional about how I managed it. Whether it was NIL deals, music, or brand partnerships, I never wanted to be in a position where I was making moves without understanding my financial standing. I still operate that way to this day.” she said via Jason Notte of Adweek.
It certainly looks like she has been quite smart with her money, a skill that not many youngsters possess these days. Her investment in real estate clearly indicates that the LSU star is aiming for the sky.
SEE MORE: LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson is Waiting to Settle Score With ‘Hardest Opponent’ Caitlin Clark in the WNBA
Collaboration With Jay-Z’s Roc Nation
Her debut EP came in September 2024, after which she signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. She shows her versatility with Lil Wayne performances and her goal of moving in the R&B direction.
She signed an NIL deal with the newly launched League 3-on-3 Unrivaled women’s basketball league in December 2024.
She also stated via On3, “Between my music career and brand endorsements, my deals amount to about $4.5 million, which gives a substantial indication of my market value.”
Being in the music industry doesn’t mean she ignores her career in the WNBA; recently, during a March Madness conference she said, “I’m not focused on my music, I’m not focused on my podcast, I’m not focused on none of (that) stuff. I’m focused on winning the national championship,” Johnson said. “Because if I won the national championship, then I can focus on everything I want to.”
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Unfortunately for Johnson, the LSU Tigers bowed out of the March Madness after losing 72-65 to UCLA. It was certainly a solid run for Kim Mulkey’s team, but now the focus is on whether Johnson would be returning to the team or will be aiming to take a shot at the WNBA.
Whatever her decision is, there is no doubt that she is a prime example of today’s college athlete who skillfully juggles sports, personal branding, and business opportunities.