13-Year-Old Soccer Star Whitham is Youngest to Sign Nike NIL Deal
13-year-old soccer prodigy McKenna "Mak" Whitham has made NIL history as the youngest athlete to sign with Nike.
Whitham joins an exclusive roster of NIL athletes for Nike that includes college basketball superstars Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Juju Watkins of USC. Nike previously signed Angel City FC and US Women's National Team member Alyssa Thompson to a NIL deal prior to her turning pro.
The California-based Whitham - who is currently home schooled - plays for the Slammers FC HB Koge and is a member of the U.S. under-15 youth national team.
"It means everything to me," Whitham told ESPN's Charlotte Gibson. "I'm just super excited to be part of the Nike family. They've done so many great things so far. And it motivates me even harder. I mean, not every kid gets to get signed by Nike."
Whitham shared the partnership news on her Instagram account with the message, "Thankful and excited to join the Nike Football family! Being a Nike girl from Day 1, it truly is a dream come true."
According to Gibson, Whitham has joined multiple National Women's Soccer League teams over the past few months for workouts and trainings, including Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC.
