EAST LANSING, MI — In a move that has stunned fans, skeptics, and sports analysts alike, Michigan State University basketball guard Jaden Akins has signed a staggering $60 million endorsement deal with Powerade — despite a season marked more by bench time than big plays.
Powerade, known for backing elite athletes, has gone all-in on the 6’4″ Spartan junior, hailing him as “the future face of energy and resilience.” The multi-year contract marks one of the largest endorsement deals for a college athlete in history — an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) game-changer.
Critics are baffled. “You’d expect this kind of payday for a guy averaging 30 points a night,” said former NBA analyst Ray Vaughn. “Akins hasn’t even led the team in scoring this season.”
Yet, Powerade’s marketing VP, Tara McKinnon, defends the bold move. “Jaden represents a new kind of athlete — not just stats, but story. He’s gritty, relatable, and resonates with Gen Z. He’s got superstar energy, and we’re betting on that.”
Akins, whose social media following has exploded over the past year, seems unfazed by the controversy. “I know what I bring to the table,” he said at the press conference. “This isn’t just about what I do on the court — it’s about who I am off it.”
The deal includes national ad campaigns, limited-edition Powerade bottles featuring Akins’ image, and a behind-the-scenes docuseries highlighting his life, training, and personal struggles.
With this massive endorsement, Akins joins the ranks of high-profile college athletes rewriting the NIL narrative — and perhaps proving that star power isn’t always about points per game.
