Nike Signs 13-Year-Old Soccer Prodigy To NIL Deal

Nike has signed 13-year-old soccer phenom McKenna "Mak" Whitham to a name, image and likeness deal — making her the youngest athlete ever to ink an NIL deal with the sports apparel giant.

The soccer prodigy is homeschooled and will graduate with the class of 2028. She plays for the Southern California club team Slammers FC HB Koge and is a member of the U.S. under-15 youth national team.

"It means everything to me," Whitham told ESPN. "I'm just super excited to be part of the Nike family. They've done so many great things so far. And it motivates me even harder. I mean, not every kid gets to get signed by Nike."

Whitham also shared the partnership news on her Instagram account with the caption, "Thankful and excited to join the Nike Football family! Being a Nike girl from Day 1, it truly is a dream come true."

Granted, her "Day 1" wasn't all that long ago since she's 13 years old!

Nike and several professional teams took notice last year when Whitham proved her ability to score with either foot outside the 18-yard box. 

Plus, she has coordination most of us could only dream of.

The forward has even joined numerous National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) teams for preseason workouts and practices — including Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC.

"It's extremely humbling, but at the same time it's a little bit validation that when you have a goal in mind and if you work hard enough, you can get there and it validates it all," Whitham's father, Josh, said.

Whitham joins a superstar list of Nike NIL athletes that includes USC basketball players Bronny James and Juju Watkins and Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark, to name a few.