Olivia Dunne is still at the top. Despite spending time away from gymnastics because of injury, the LSU star hasn’t lost her shine. She’s currently ranked No. 4 on On3’s NIL Valuation list, with an eye-popping brand worth of $4.1 million. That makes her not only the top-ranked female athlete in NIL but also the only college gymnast to crack the top 10. What’s more, she has got the skills to match the sponsorships! In LSU’s 2025 season opener against Iowa State, Dunne delivered a 9.875 on floor and 9.825 on the beam! Even while not performing, she continues to show up for the team! What motivates her to stay at the top of the game? Well, her relationship does, for starters!

Enter Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching phenom—and yes, Dunne’s boyfriend—who’s been making headlines of his own. On April 14, Skenes put on a clinic, giving up just two runs (one earned) and striking out six batters over six innings, helping the Pirates snap a three-game skid with a dominant 10–3 win over the Nationals. He’s been dealing heat and showing zero signs of slowing down. So, what’s the secret behind this powerhouse couple’s ability to keep shining under the spotlight?

According to Skenes, it’s all about one thing: staying present. How? In a recent chat with Esquire Sports, the Pirates ace broke it down. “Stay present. I tell Liv this all the time because she tells me it too,” Skenes shared. “It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed with all this stuff… Getting ready for my outing is the biggest thing I’m doing today.” For Skenes, it’s that mental clarity and unwavering focus that keep him grounded. A better explanation may help to get the meaning. 

“I think something I’ve always done is stay pretty level,” the pitcher added. It’s clear this couple isn’t just riding the wave of fame—they’re actively steering it, balancing high-profile careers, media buzz, and a loyal fanbase with humility and laser-sharp focus. And thankfully, their craft isn’t just surviving the test of time—it’s thriving. To know it better, enter Livvy’s next chapter. 

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes’ craft is getting sharpened 

At 22, Olivia Dunne is nearing the final act of her college gymnastics career. But don’t mistake that for a curtain call—this is more of a costume change. While many athletes scramble to figure out their “what’s next,” Livvy’s already building it.

In a candid convo last year with teammate and rapper Flau’jae Johnson, Dunne revealed, “I’m always trying to think of the next thing, and yes, I would like to enjoy certain moments more, but I love to think about what comes next.” And spoiler: it’s not elite gymnastics. It’s not coaching, either. Instead, Dunne is leaning all the way into the powerhouse that is her NIL empire, a move that’s reshaping the blueprint for what post-college life can look like, especially for female athletes. She’s showing that the end of college sports doesn’t have to mean fading out. It can be a launchpad. So, when people ask if this couple could be the next Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift of the sports-and-celebrity universe? 

Paul responded to the question in Brady Langmann’s interview, “Yes, MLB is trying to market us as that. They’re trying to appeal to a different generation of fans, which is benefiting us because it’s giving her another subset that’s going to be her fans. And they’re helping me because they’re marketing me.” So, Kelce and Swift may have the spotlight now, but make no mistake: Skenes and Dunne are quietly building a dynasty of their own. Less tabloid drama, more discipline-meets-drive. A new kind of power couple for the NIL generation—one floor routine and one fastball at a time.