Monday, November 9, 2026

Nike Signs No. 3 Amateur Rachel Heck as 1st NIL Golf Athlete

  • The Tennessee native won the 2021 individual NCAA national championship as a freshman.
  • Her other NIL deals include Beats by Dre, Ping, Whistle Sports, and Six Star Pro Nutrition.
John Meore/The Journal News

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Nike is wasting no time locking in one of women’s golf’s brightest young stars.

Stanford’s Rachel Heck is signing with the sportswear giant to be its first NIL golf athlete, she announced on her social pages.

Heck’s other NIL deals include Beats by Dre, Ping, Whistle Sports, and Six Star Pro Nutrition.

The Tennessee native won the 2021 individual NCAA national championship as a freshman after shooting an 8-under 280 after 72 holes last May. She ranks third in World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Heck failed to qualify for the 2022 individual championship, but she and her Stanford teammates will compete for the team title starting May 20.

Nike isn’t the only recent athletic apparel brand to test the NIL waters.

Lululemon made former NBA player J.R. Smith its first male college endorser back in April.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Security officers secure the area as U.S. Vice President JD Vance plays golf at Trump Turnberry golf course, during his holiday, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, August 14, 2025.

Turnberry’s Wait for Open Championship Extends to Next Decade

The next available date is now 2030 with Carnoustie selected for 2029.

WTGL Has ‘Surreal’ Debut as Newest Women’s Sports League

Michelle Wie West starred in Los Angeles Golf Club’s win.

LIV Golf Creditors Face $100M in Claims, Just $2M to Split

The unsecured creditors committee is scheduled to meet next on Nov. 20.

College Football’s Loaded Saturday Sets Up Huge Day for ABC, ESPN

The networks will broadcast five top-25 matchups Saturday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/9/26 – Russini Makes Her Return, Press Secretary Dana White?, Kolek Retracts Swift Diss

0:00

Featured Today

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
November 8, 2026

Philip Rivers Expected To Be Hired as NC State Coach

Rivers played in the NFL last year and was coaching high school.
November 8, 2026

Michigan, Ohio State Flailing Despite Big Spending

Both lost as home favorites Saturday.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Oregon Ducks long snapper Luke Basso (43) snaps the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during a CFP Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
November 6, 2026

Big Ten’s $49M NIL Cap Looms Over Ohio State–Oregon Matchup

Ohio State and Oregon each have estimated $50 million rosters this season.
Dec 15, 2025; Cary, NC, USA; Washington Huskies goalkeeper Jadon Bowton (1) holds up the National Championship trophy after the Huskies win the championship in overtime at First Horizon Stadium
November 6, 2026

Colleges Overwhelmingly Oppose Men’s Soccer Calendar Change

Enough schools voted against the fall-to-spring calendar to block the NCAA’s proposal.
November 5, 2026

Miami’s High-Priced QB Loses Top Target Before Notre Dame Clash

Mensah leads college football in multiple passing categories.
November 5, 2026

Cody Campbell’s Texas Tech Board Seat in Jeopardy After Elections

Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa could replace Texas university board members.