Is this the next Olivia Dunne? Meet Kate Faasse, the UNC soccer star who sent social media wild
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Olivia Dunne has taken social media by storm since joining TikTok in 2020, raking in 13.2million followers on the platform and Instagram since then, prompting herself to quickly become one of the most valuable college athletes due to lucrative NIL deals.
But, the 21-year-old LSU gymnastics star, who's valued as the second most profitable NIL earner behind Colorado quarterback Sheddeur Sanders ($4.8M) at $3.9M, could be quickly dethroned by a certain soccer player at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill... Kate Faasse.
According to Barstool Sports, Faasse's name went viral on X after an account that goes by the name 'College Cuties' shared racy snaps from her Instagram account on the platform.
The post has generated nearly 3M views since its was shared earlier this month on July 10th.
Faasse - an incoming junior at UNC - plays as a midfielder, or forward, for the Tar Heels, according to the team's official website. She scored twice and assisted thrice in 23 games during the 2023 season, playing a total of 716 minutes.
Kate Faasse - a midfielder for UNC - is being tipped to become the next collegiate star athlete
The 21-year-old, who can also be deployed as a forward, is set to be a junior year at Chapel Hill
She first went viral after her snaps on Instagram were shared on X and a Barstool Sports story
However, Faasse has some catching up to do as Olivia Dunne's NIL valuation is set at $3.9M
In 2022, the Phoenix, Arizona, native scored and assisted twice each in 17 games played as a freshman.
Before college, Faasse scored 31 goals and assisted 12 times in high school despite missing her junior season due to injury.
Other than soccer, she enjoys painting in free time, according to UNC's website.
Faasse comes from a family of high level athletes, too, as her mother ran track in college while her grandfather was a professional baseball player.
Born in 2004, the soccer player is only a year younger than Dunne, who will be returning to LSU in the fall to compete for a fifth year on the Tigers' gymnastics team.
Faasse - a Phoenix, Arizona native - scored twice and assisted thrice in 23 games for UNC in '23
Born in 2004, the soccer player is only a year younger than Dunne, who'll return to LSU in Sept.
Dunne clearly has the upper hand when it comes to social media following -- 13.2M vs. 21.6k
She is sponsored by Accelerator Active Energy (seen with Travis Kelce), Vuori, Nautica, etc.
Therefore, as long as Dunne stays in college, it seems unlikely that anyone can dethrone her, including Faasse, who doesn't yet feature on On3's NIL 100 list.
Dunne is the only woman ranking in the list's top 10 with Flau'jae Johnson coming up next at No. 12 with a $1.2M NIL valuation.
Dunne can also rely on her relationship with MLB All-Star Paul Skenes to boost her popularity, as her boyfriend continues to impress on the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The rookie pitcher made his red carpet debut with Dunne, earlier this week.
Dunne has also established a modeling career through one of her NIL deals with Sports Illustrated. She is also sponsored by apparel brands American Eagle, Nautica, Vuori and energy drink Accelerator Active Energy, which she starred in an ad for with Travis Kelce, of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Before going to college, Faasse (far left) scored 31 goals and assisted 12 times in high school
Other than making money off lucrative NIL deals, Dunne is also a model for Spots Illustrated
Dunne is also increasing her popularity in baseball due to her romance with MLB's Paul Skenes
Therefore, despite boosting an impressive total of 21.6k followers on Instagram and TikTok, Faasse is still margins away from catching up to Dunne.
But, once Dunne completes her last year in Baton Rouge, then Faasse could see her popularity exponentiate just like the gymnast's.
Only time will tell.
Better not drop your crown anytime soon, Livvy...
