Rose Zhang enters this week’s U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles fresh off a victory sweep at the NCAA Championship and another impressive first: She’s the first student-athlete to sign an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Adidas.
Zhang called being the first to sign with Adidas both humbling and a dream.
The NIL scene in college golf varies wildly, but good friends Rachel Heck and Zhang have built an impressive portfolio of partnerships.
Zhang’s portfolio also includes deals with Amundi Assset Management, title sponsor of the Evian Championship, Uswing Sunglasses (which she wears on the course), Paradox, an HR Recruiting Software company, and Beats by Dre.
The deals are tied to NCAA eligibility, meaning they would terminate when the players turn professional. While financial terms were not disclosed, it’s estimated that the NCAA stars would each be earning more than six figures annually while competing for Stanford.