Name, Image, Likeness: The Rise of Ally Batenhorst and the Student-Athlete Entrepreneur

The Forbes Books Podcast with Joe Pardavila

In this episode, Joe is joined by Ally Batenhorst, a star volleyball player who has taken advantage of the new NCAA rules allowing student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Ally discusses her journey from being a talented youth player in Texas to committing to playing volleyball at the University of Nebraska. Ally shares what it was like to arrive on campus during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and deal with restrictions while also preparing for her first collegiate season. The conversation covers how Ally has navigated making sponsorship deals, creating content, gaining a massive following on TikTok, and balancing being an influencer while also being a full-time student-athlete. She provides insights into how female student-athletes have benefited from NIL, making money in unprecedented ways. Ally also talks about her recent decision to transfer to USC for her final season of eligibility, seeing it as a chance to pursue broadcasting opportunities in Los Angeles. Throughout the chat, she conveys her appreciation for young fans who look up to her as a role model in the growing world of professional collegiate athletics.