Haley, Hanna Cavinder discuss NIL experiences, return to college

A year ago, Haley and Hanna Cavinder were entrenched in the Miami women’s basketball program with the goal of making their first NCAA tournament.

They accomplished that goal, helping the Hurricanes reach the Elite Eight for the first time in program history. But after the run through March Madness, they made the stunning decision to walk away from college basketball and with that, NIL.

Since the summer of 2021, when the NCAA first started to allow athletes to monetize their publicity rights, the twins pieced together one of the most accomplished portfolios. Armed with their millions of social media followers, the influencers worked with brands like Under Armour, Raising Cane’s, Champs Sports and WWE, among others.

Now a year after they were gearing up for the tournament run, the twins have not officially left the college athletics space. Haley Cavinder decided this past fall to enter the transfer portal and use her final year of eligibility. She’s set to be a key piece of the TCU roster for the 2024-25 season.

“What went into the decision to return to play was probably just, honestly, the absence of basketball in my life,” she recently told On3. “When I walked away from it, when I wasn’t really training for basketball, I just missed it so much. It was on my mind a lot. I would talk to my dad about it all the time; I just missed training and the competitive edge basketball brings. I really love it. And I knew in my heart that’s the decision I wanted to make, regardless what it looked like to the public.

“It was a bunch of moments that allowed me to make the decision. But now, I’m happy to be back next season and training.”

Cavinder Twins gearing up for change

With return to college basketball, Haley Cavinder will officially be back in the NIL space. The move will also signify the first time the duo are not building their brand simultaneously. They’ve always worked together, a package deal for brands. That will continue as they plan to expand in the health and fitness space, Hanna Cavinder said.

Next year will be the first that the twins are doing two different things. But through working with Jeff Hoffman and Alexi Hecht of Everett Sports Management, the Cavinders plan to still tackle business the same way they have since NIL began. They were the first to ink an endorsement deal, partnering with Boost Mobile in a partnership that was launched from Times Square in New York City.

Those NIL dealings have prepared them to succeed as social media influencers.

“It’s been really rewarding and satisfying, especially doing it with my best friend,” Hanna Cavinder said. “Being able to work with brands and partners that obviously align with who we are, is something that – I couldn’t ask for a better job. It’s honestly the dream job. I’m so excited just to cheer Haley on. I know she’s going to be so successful next year. This is what truly fulfills her.

“So being able to kind of tie that in still, with our brands. But I think just next year, I’m just really focusing on cheering on Haley obviously, she’s gonna be an NIL athlete again. I’m kind of not going to be an NIL athlete. So being able to grow our personal brands as well as our brand together is what we’re going to try to do.”

Time at Fresno State, Miami have Cavinders prepared

When they initially left college basketball, they were excited to show how to take an NIL platform and turn it into a full-time job. Last week, the twins signed on as the first ambassadors for Gatsby Chocolate. The low-cal, low-sugar and low-carb chocolate bars were created by a couple members of the team behind Halo Top ice cream.

Both cited their experiences in NIL and basketball as crucial reasons behind why they’ve been able to adapt to a post-college life. Now with Haley set to join TCU, they’ll be involved in the college game again. The Horned Frogs are currently 16-9 overall but have been hit with multiple injuries. Last year at Miami, Haley Cavinder averaged 16.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

All the experiences from Fresno State to Miami have translated over from college to being a professional social media influencer for them both. And for Haley, she’s as prepared as ever to step back into the college ranks.

“Being a college athletes prepares you for the real world to a tee,” Haley Cavinder said. “Everyone always says wait for the real world after college. But it’s easy because being a college athlete, the routine, the discipline, the mental toughness that brings every single day. You’re part of a team. You’re part of a schedule, you have to show up even when you don’t want to. That just translates all the way to a regular job.”