14-year-old world record holder signs NIL partnership with Nike

The most strategic brands during the first four years of NIL have viewed the opportunity as a way to partner early with the next generation of star athletes. No company has a more keen eye in the athlete recruitment space than Nike - the global leader in sports footwear and apparel - who on the basketball court, leveraged NIL to sign the likes of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, JuJu Watkins, AJ Dybantsa, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper well before their pro careers.

Now, the Swoosh has added their latest NIL athlete, but she hasn't even entered high school yet. 14-year-old Melanie Doggett of Atlanta is a Class of 2029 track star who dominated the youth circuit, setting multiple world records. She now joins an illustrious roster of Nike athletes, becoming their brightest young star on the track.

As part of the brand's "ongoing commitment to powering the future of youth sport," they have added the incoming freshman to their track roster that includes Olympians Sha’Carri Richardson, Rai Benjamin, Alexis Holmes and the brand's latest signings, married couple Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall.

“The Nike team has always made me feel welcome and heard," Doggett said. "I think it’s really cool that they want to work with me, and I’m excited to be a part of the family.”