LSU Star Johnson Signs NIL Partnership with The Athlete's Foot
Although her LSU Tigers fell Monday night to Iowa in the Elite Eight, sophomore Flau'jae Johnson further established herself during the NCAA Tournament as one of the most dynamic players on the hardwood and in NIL. A day after her offseason officially began, she added another brand partner to her growing portfolio, announcing a collaboration with The Athlete’s Foot (TAF), a global retailer of athletic-inspired lifestyle for streetwear, footwear, apparel and accessories.
As TAF's 2024 brand ambassador, the accomplished hip-hop artist and All-SEC honoree Johnson will appear in a series of brand initiatives, community engagements, and content creation endeavors, reinforcing TAF's commitment to inspiring the youth and celebrating cultural icons.
"I'm honored to join The Athlete's Foot as their 2024 Brand Ambassador,” Johnson said. “It's a platform where I can share my story, connect with others who are chasing their dreams, and blend my worlds of basketball and music. I’m excited to be a part of this partnership with TAF, and I hope to continue to inspire others."
During LSU’s Elite Eight run, Johnson was a constant performer for the defending champion Tigers, especially in the last two rounds. Against UCLA in the Sweet 16, she poured in 24 points and 12 rebounds and in LSU’s loss to Iowa, she contributed 23 point and six rebounds.
Johnson will officially tip off her TAF partnership with an intimate meet and greet on April 19 at the brand’s newest Baton Rouge store, where she will spend time with fans, share her unique story and celebrate the fusion of athleticism and artistic expression.
"We are beyond excited to welcome Flau'jae Johnson into The Athlete's Foot family," said Darius Billings, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at The Athlete’s Foot. "Flau'jae's story is one of perseverance, talent, and inspiration. She perfectly embodies the values and spirit of TAF, making her an ideal Brand Ambassador for our community."
Johnson – who is set to return to LSU next season as one of the top players in the country – is represented by Roc Nation and counts Puma, Powerade, JBL Audio, Amazon and META among her NIL brand partners. With freshman sensation Mikaylah Williams by her side for the 2024-25 season and with stars Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith still needing to decide their WNBA futures, LSU will certainly be among the top teams heading into preseason rankings.
MICHAEL EHRLICH
Michael Ehrlich is a seasoned sports marketing executive with experience across the global sports brand, athlete representation, media and education sides of the business. The Founder and CEO of Playbook Marketing, Ehrlich consults with brands on all things NIL and athlete partnerships, advises student-athletes on their personal brand building endeavors and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the University of Southern California where he teaches a course on athlete communications and marketing. As a writer, his previous bylines include Boardroom, Business of College Sports, DIME Magazine and UPROXX, among others. You can follow him across social media at @MichaelEhrlich and reach out via michael@playbook-marketing.com