Kai Trump, the oldest granddaughter of President Donald Trump, is an avid golfer and a Floridian like her grandpa. And now, even though she’s still in high school, her golf is getting her paid.
Last fall, Kai, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump, committed early to stay in Florida and play golf at the University of Miami.
She recently took to social media to make another announcement: Her first lucrative endorsement deal with big-name golf equipment company TaylorMade. On3, a website that rates high school and college athletes, values her name, image and likeness (NIL) at more than $1 million after her TaylorMade deal.
Here’s what an NIL deal is, how it allows Kai to make money as an amateur golfer and what we know about her most recent endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
The acronym stands for “name, image and likeness.” NIL deals protect student athletes’ right to earn money from their publicity and sometimes includes a big-name brand endorsement, like Kai’s.
Until a historic 2021 Supreme Court decision that led to an NCAA rule change, the NCAA didn’t allow student athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness at all.
If Kai had been entering collegiate sports just five years sooner, she would not have had the opportunity to kick off her college career with this much potential for profit.
Can high schoolers make NIL money?
Some high schoolers, like Kai Trump, are eligible for NIL deals, but not in every state.
It’s up to each state to decide whether or not high schoolers can profit from their NIL before college. Florida is a pioneer in NIL deals for high schoolers. It was the first state to approve NIL deals for high school athletes. Kai attends high school in Florida, at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens.
Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, also attends and plays golf at The Benjamin School. Other famous golfers, like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, have also sent their children there. Kai is set to graduate in 2026 and play golf for the University of Miami.
Who is Kai Trump? She’s a golfer and a Floridian, like her President-elect grandpa, Donald
Do schools pay NIL money?
No, the NCAA does not currently allow NIL deals to be used as recruitment tools or for schools to pay college athletes directly for the use of their name, image and likeness.
“Schools would not be permitted to directly compensate student-athletes for the use of their NIL but could identify potential NIL opportunities for student-athletes and even facilitate deals between student-athletes and third parties,” According to the NCAA.
NCAA NIL rules “prohibit a school from directly or indirectly providing financial support or assets to NIL entities.”
Where does the money come from for NIL?
NIL money comes from the businesses and brands looking to endorse student athletes.
“Because the NCAA still intends to maintain its amateur sports status, paying athletes for their play on the field isn’t possible,” according to Icon Source, an online marketplace that connects student athletes with brands interested in endorsing them.
“NIL is the workaround for athletes to get paid without technically being considered professional athletes who make a living playing their sport.”
What is Kai Trump’s NIL deal worth?
The exact terms of Kai’s deal with TaylorMade were not disclosed, but there is some information about her name, image and likeness valuation. She also has another NIL endorsement, in addition to the golf equipment deal that propelled her valuation to more than $1 million.
Kai Trump has an estimated NIL valuation of $1.2 million, according to USA TODAY and the site On3 Sports. The site also reports she signed her first NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards in January. A pack of Leaf Trading Cards retails for $199.99, On3 reported. Each pack contains one random autograph card.
Her new valuation makes her the No. 1 highest-valued player in girls’ high school golf and No. 81 among all NIL money-making athletes in the On3 NIL 100.
When it comes to her valuation among only women (Kai is still only 17 years old and per USGA and Florida high school rules competes as a girls’ golfer), she ranks in the top five NIL money-makers. She’s outranked in NIL valuation by only three women, all college athletes: LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, LSU basketball player Flau’Jae Johnson and UConn basketball player Paige Bueckers.
Where is Kai Trump going to college?
Kai Trump took to Instagram on Sunday, August 18, 2024, to announce her commitment to the University of Miami’s women’s golf team.
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami,” Kai wrote in the caption.
“I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point.”
She went on to thank her grandfather, President Donald Trump, as well.
“I would like to thank my grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support… I am super excited to be a cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!”
Contributing: Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY and Lori Comstock, USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: President Trump’s granddaughter Kai valued around $1 million. Here’s why
