Nike Signs Division III Bowling Phenom Mara Thompson to Landmark NIL Deal
April 13, 2025 – Beaverton, OR
Nike has announced a groundbreaking NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) partnership with Mara Thompson, recently crowned National Division III Rookie of the Year in women’s bowling. The deal marks Nike’s first-ever NIL agreement with a D3 bowler, signaling the brand’s expanding commitment to emerging talent across all levels of collegiate sports.
Thompson, a freshman standout at Clearwater College, captured national attention with her dominant debut season, leading her team to the NCAA D3 semifinals while posting the highest average frame score among all first-year bowlers. Her poise, performance, and growing social media presence quickly made her a standout not just in the bowling world, but in the broader landscape of college athletics.
“Mara represents everything Nike believes in — grit, excellence, and redefining what’s possible,” said Nike VP of Athlete Marketing, Jada Ellis. “She’s changing the conversation about what a D3 athlete can be, and we’re proud to be part of her journey.”
As part of the deal, Thompson will feature in Nike’s upcoming “Own Every Frame” campaign, aimed at empowering underrepresented athletes and shining a light on non-traditional sports. She’ll also collaborate on a custom line of bowling-inspired training apparel, set to launch in late 2025.
Thompson called the partnership “a dream come true.”
“To be recognized by a brand like Nike — it means the world,” she said. “I hope this opens doors not just for me, but for every athlete working hard, no matter their division.”
With this partnership, Mara Thompson becomes a trailblazer for D3 athletes, showing that elite performance knows no boundaries — and that even the biggest brands are taking notice.
