Black Female College Softball Player Makes History as the First to Sign $1M Deal with Oklahoma Sooners
In a groundbreaking moment for college athletics and womenโs sports, star softball player Jada Thompson has made history by becoming the first Black female college softball player to sign a $1 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) dealโand itโs with none other than the powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners.
Thompson, a standout athlete known for her explosive speed, power hitting, and leadership on the field, has emerged as a face of a new era in collegiate softball. Her unprecedented seven-figure NIL deal marks a turning point not just for the sport, but for representation and equity in college athletics.
โThis means everything to me,โ Thompson said during a press conference at the University of Oklahoma. โItโs not just about the moneyโthis is about opening doors for the girls coming up behind me. Itโs about showing that Black women in softball have value, voice, and power.โ
Thompsonโs deal includes partnerships with national brands, social media campaigns, merchandise, and community initiatives tied directly to the Oklahoma Soonersโ brand. According to sources close to the program, the NIL agreement was facilitated through Oklahomaโs innovative NIL collective, which has become a model for top-tier collegiate programs.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Thompson was the nationโs No. 1 softball recruit in her class and has been a key contributor to the Soonersโ dominance on the field. As a freshman, she helped lead Oklahoma to a national title appearance, batting over .400 with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs. But itโs her impact off the fieldโher authenticity, advocacy, and charismaโthat made her a perfect candidate for a historic deal.
The deal has drawn praise from across the sports world. โJadaโs achievement is monumental,โ said former U.S. Olympian Natasha Watley, a trailblazer in softball herself. โSheโs changing the game and inspiring a new generation of Black girls to dream big in this sport.โ
The NIL era has already transformed college sports, but deals of this magnitude have been rare in womenโs athletics, especially softball. Thompsonโs $1 million milestone signals a broader shift in how athletesโparticularly women of colorโare being recognized and rewarded for their talent and influence.
With her name now etched in the history books, Jada Thompson is not just breaking barriersโsheโs building a legacy.
โSheโs not just playing the game,โ said Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso. โSheโs changing it.โ
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