LSU's Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson, Alexis Morris join lunch crew at Raising Cane's

Raising Cane’s is becoming the go-to spot for national champions.

Just three days after winning the program’s first national title, LSU basketball’s Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Alexis Morris spent Wednesday’s lunch hour as crew members at Baton Rouge’s Raising Cane’s as part of an NIL deal. Head coach Kim Mulkey also joined the group.

Since the NCAA started to allow college athletes to monetize their publicity rights 21 months ago, the chicken finger shop has become a destination for national champions. Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett helped out at the Athens’ Raising Cane’s after each national title. Kansas basketball players Jalen Wilson, Christian Braun and Mitch Lightfoot also joined in on the marketing campaign after last year’s national championship.

The fast-food chain restaurant was actually founded in Baton Rouge in 1996 and still serves as the brand’s headquarters. Founder Todd Graves was on site and participated in the event.

Johnson and Mulkey worked on orders, while Reese helped out with the drive-thru. Morris ran the cash register.

“Yo, yo, yo it’s the Bayou Barbie here, I want you to try the box combo,” Reese said in a video, hanging out of the drive-thru window.

That @Flaujae BIG 4 energy you get when you order extra Cane’s Sauce. @KimMulkey pic.twitter.com/riHmdOdOBu

— Raising Cane's (@raisingcanes) April 5, 2023

The investment into NIL has not stopped with national title winners. Raising Cane’s announced a partnership with the Cavinder Twins in late January, as the Miami basketball players promoted a new restaurant opening in Miami Beach.

Angel Reese, Flau’Jae Johnson major brand growth following Final Four

LSU’s commanding win over Iowa in Sunday afternoon’s national title game brought in 9.9 million viewers – the most-watched women’s basketball game of all time.

The drama was there, too. Reese threw Caitlin Clark’s “you can’t see me” celebration toward the Iowa guard before pointing out her ring finger in the game’s closing seconds. Social media set off into a divisive conversation, while some defended Reese and others called the LSU forward classless.

Reese has seen her social media take off following the game, now sitting at nearly 2.7 million followers. Her On3 NIL Valuation has soared, up 124% to $876,000. There’s little doubt about what the win did for her NIL portfolio. Her Cameo is on the rise, and she’s dropped merchandise. This all goes along with the fact she’s already signed 17 partnerships, including Coach and McDonald’s.

A shoe deal could be next.

“I would love to do something different and fresh in the shoe space,” Reese’s agent Jeanine Ogbonnaya told On3 on Monday. “That doesn’t mean a unique brand, it could be a traditional brand, but something that’s different and separates her from her peers.”

Her teammate, Flau’jae Johnson, already has signed with Puma. The freshman and former McDonald’s All-American is also a rap star who has a record deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Her social media has been on the rise since this weekend, too, now sitting with more than 1 million Instagram followers.

Johnson’s On3 NIL Valuation is now $752,000, roughly a 12% growth in the last week. She ranks No. 5 in the women’s basketball NIL rankings.

Along with Morris, who has a $103,000 On3 NIL Valuation, the trio has become three of the most well-known players at LSU. The Raising Cane’s deal is proof of what may be next.