Stanford basketball star Cameron Brink has signed a landmark Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with New Balance, becoming the first female athlete to join the sportswear brand's roster. Brink, who has had an illustrious college career, has achieved four consecutive All-American honors and two Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year awards.
The 21-year-old standout, who averaged 15.1 points per game in her last season, has also secured a victory at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup and was part of the 2021 NCAA Championship-winning team. Despite being eligible for the 2023 WNBA draft, Brink plans to complete her senior season at Stanford.
As part of the lucrative NIL agreement, Brink will feature in various advertising campaigns for New Balance, ranging from lifestyle to high-performance promotions. She joins a roster that includes NBA stars Jamal Murray, Kawhi Leonard, Zach LaVine, and Dejounte Murray. Additionally, Brink will collaborate closely with the company's designers to influence key decisions on footwear and apparel.
This deal follows New Balance's earlier NIL partnership with Stanford track and field athlete Roisin Willis, and the brand's collaboration with MLB player Shohei Ohtani. Expressing her excitement, Brink stated, "I am honored and excited to join forces with New Balance. Their ability to empower athletes perfectly aligns with my own values, and I look forward to this journey with them. I hope we inspire athletes around the world to fearlessly pursue their dreams."
Brink has also secured NIL deals with other companies, including Buick, Chegg, Urban Outfitters, Hyperice, and Celsius. The advent of NIL agreements has provided college athletes with opportunities to monetize their talents while still in school, allowing Brink to delay entering the professional leagues.
Under WNBA draft rules, players must be at least 22 years old in the relevant calendar year. Brink, born on December 31, 2000, narrowly meets the eligibility requirement for this year's draft. However, she has expressed no rush to leave college, telling Mercury News last year, "It’s fun, college is fun. Why not stay?"
The rising star, who is also the godsister of NBA icon Steph Curry, boasts a growing social media presence with over 300,000 Instagram followers. Her popularity is expected to increase further when she eventually transitions to the WNBA.
Naveen Lokesh, Head of Basketball Sports Marketing at New Balance, welcomed Brink to the team, saying, "We are thrilled to welcome Cameron as the first female basketball player to join the New Balance family. Cameron's exceptional skill on the court and her desire to give back align perfectly with New Balance's mission to change the game for the better. We are excited to support Cameron in reaching new heights in her career and contributing to the growth of women's basketball for years to come."
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