TicketsCINCINNATI - When Paris Alexander decided to play lacrosse at the University of Cincinnati, she knew she'd grow on the field and in the classroom. What she didn't know was how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) would catapult her professional career before she even graduated.
As she started her journey as a Division I student-athlete, NIL wasn't on her radar. Without a prominent example in the collegiate women's lacrosse world, she had no idea that it was possible for an athlete like her to find success in NIL.
As scary as it was, she had nothing to lose and soon discovered all that she could gain. After taking that first step, it didn't take long for her to find her way into the new world of NIL.
"What NIL means to me is that I'm able to use my platform to grow myself as a brand and an individual on and off the field," said Alexander. "I started seeing success with it and it just felt like something that was right for me."
Success only begins to describe what Alexander has achieved.
As of today, Alexander has worked with brands like Steve Madden, Pretty Little Thing, Legendary Foods, Liquid IV, Insomnia Cookies and PB Fit. It wasn't just a stroke of luck that these brands, brands that other influencers and athletes dream of working with, wanted to work with her. Alexander has put an impressive effort into creating a social media presence that generates thousands of views. This makes her an ideal business partner for brands seeking to increase exposure for their products. The financial benefits have been an obvious bonus, but for Alexander, NIL is about much more than making money.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
"I honestly feel like NIL has given me more confidence," said Alexander. "I try to be the best I can on the field, but it also gives the girls on my team an example of opportunities that are outside of lacrosse. It shows them that I'm able to do things outside of our sport to help me succeed as a person."
Anyone can say they want to inspire others, but Alexander walks the walk. Her hard work and accomplishments secured her an invite to The NIL Summit this past summer in Atlanta, Ga.
View this post on Instagram
"My favorite part was being able to learn about other female athletes that were on the panel and hear their stories of how they got started. It was really inspirational."
Going into her third year at Cincinnati, Alexander has established herself as a leader on the lacrosse team for reasons that go beyond her athletic capabilities. Her success with NIL is a testament to her dedication to building her brand and empowering the next generation of female athletes. She is actively becoming the role model that she felt was missing when she was starting her college career. For her, that's what it's always been about.
"My goal with the content that I create is just to be an inspiration to younger female athletes who are going through the process of navigating their career, navigating contracts and fighting for a fair share."
Her story is just the beginning, and the possibilities are endless.