From Olivia Dunne to Cavinder Twins: How NIL Stars Are Building Empires

The Cavinder twins, both 25, stepped away from basketball last year, but their business ventures have continued to grow.
Haley and Hanna Cavinder recently shared insights into their business ventures in an interview with The New York Post. It came ahead of their first one-on-one matchup at BetMGM’s Court of Legends in Las Vegas, streaming on X, YouTube, and the BetMGM app.
“Being able to start our own companies is something we’re very passionate about, and we have a baby that’s coming out that soon that we’ve been working on for a while,” Hanna said, referring to a new business product.
While they didn’t share full details, the twins said the product is connected to health, fitness, and supplements. These are areas they’ve been open about since high school.
They are already building multiple ventures. As Under Armour athletes, they launched a workout app called TWOGETHER. They also co-founded Azucar, which is set to launch this spring.
“If you build your brand right in the right way, it can help you so much in the business world," Hanna said, explaining their approach to growth.
"If that’s something you’re very passionate about, and she and I are, it’s about taking advantage of that and striking when it’s hot,” she added.
Meanwhile, Haley Cavinder appeared in the February 2026 digital Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Both sisters also walked in the 2024 runway show in Miami.
The twins first gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic by posting dance videos on TikTok. Later, they became two of the highest-paid college athletes after NIL rules changed in 2021.
Today, they have built a strong social media presence, with 4.5 million TikTok followers. They also have nearly 2 million combined Instagram followers, making them highly attractive for brand collaborations.
While the twins continue to build their own ventures, they also recognize others who have successfully navigated the NIL space.
Haley Cavinder Praises Olivia Dunne’s Rise as NIL Star Expands Her Empire
After NCAA rules changed in 2021 to allow NIL deals, Olivia Dunne quickly signed with brands like Vuori, Grubhub, Bodyarmor, and American Eagle, making her one of the highest-paid college athletes.
Moreover, while continuing to model, Dunne has expanded her business ventures, partnering with NoBull.She also signed with Wasserman, as she stays busy with shoots, appearances, and deals.
And praising her work is none other than Haley Cavinder. She said it has been exciting to watch Dunne and Angel Reese, two major names from the NIL era, grow in their careers.
“I think touching on that, being able to inspire the younger generation of females and kind of just allow them to see that you don’t have to be one thing,” Haley said.
“Seeing what Livvy has done and Angel Reese, they’re examples of that and people look up to them.”
So, do you believe NIL deals are changing athletes into entrepreneurs, or is social media the bigger factor?
Written by
Sauramita Debbarma
Edited by
Siddharth Rawat
