Kai Trump's massive endorsement deal adds to her legend. Here's everything to know

Kai Trump’s massive endorsement deal adds to her legend. Here’s everything to know

Posted by author February 22, 2025 Golf

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Kai Trump’s stature continues to grow as the eldest granddaughter of President Donald Trump has quickly built a massive social media following and continues to play the game of golf with extremely influential people.

The daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and ex-wife Vanessa Trump, has shared her love of the game in dozens of video clips — including her first-ever Instagram post on Feb. 23, 2021, standing alongside her grandfather and Tiger Woods. In the caption, a young Trump wished the 15-time major champion a speedy recovery after he suffered serious leg injuries in a single-car crash.

It came full circle over the weekend when Woods and Kai Trump were spotted at the Genesis Invitational in Torrey Pines, hours after Woods and Donald Trump played their own round.

And last week, she took to social media to make another announcement: Her first endorsement deal with TaylorMade, one of the biggest golf equipment companies on the market. And a website that rates high school and college athletes values her name, image and likeness at more than $1 million.

Here’s what to know about Kai Trump, her high-dollar endorsement deal with TaylorMade and her NIL (name, image and likeness) valuation.

Is Kai Trump still in high school?

Yes, Kai Trump is still a high school student in Palm Beach County, at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens.

Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, also attends and plays golf at The Benjamin School. Other famous golfers, like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, have also sent their children there. Kai Trump is set to graduate in 2026 and play golf for the University of Miami.

“Golf has always been a massive part of my life and is my biggest passion. I always aspire to be a leader and a positive figure on and off the golf course. I hope to continue my athletic career at the college level,” Kai’s SportsRecruits biography says.

What is an NIL deal? Can high schoolers make NIL money?

Kai’s deal with TaylorMade was not disclosed, but there is some information about her name, image and likeness valuation.

USA TODAY reported that Kai Trump has an estimated NIL valuation of $1.2 million, according to the site On3 Sports. The site also reports she signed her first NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards in January. Her valuation makes her No. 1 in girls high school golf and No. 81 among athletes in the On3 NIL 100

Kai Trump has NIL endorsements in addition to the golf equipment deal. The acronym stands for “name, image and likeness,” and allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.

It protects student athletes’ right to earn money from their publicity and sometimes includes an endorsement, like Kai’s. NIL deals do not have to include an endorsement, but they can.

The NCAA didn’t allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, until a 2021 rule change. If Kai had been entering collegiate sports just five years sooner, she would not have had this opportunity to kick off her college career.

High schoolers, like Kai, are eligible for NIL deals, but not in every state. It’s up to each state to decide whether or not high schoolers can profit from their NIL before college. Florida is a pioneer in NIL deals for high schoolers. It was the first state to approve NIL deals for high school athletes.

Aside from Kai Trump, who else is signed to TaylorMade?

Kai’s deal with TaylorMade is the start of her professional relationship with one of the best and most popular brands of golf equipment on the market.

Golf pros and legends Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods have all played with TaylorMade clubs, just to name a few. TaylorMade currently has 60 PGA Tour pros using their clubs.

“Currently there are 60 PGA Tour players among the top players in the world playing TaylorMade clubs or other TaylorMade equipment,” according to PGAClubTracker. “This list includes players like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Ludwig Aberg.”

Where is Kai Trump ranked?

Kai Trump is ranked first in On3 Sports’ women’s high school golf and signed her first NIL deal in January with Leaf Trading Cards. A pack of cards sells for $199.99, On3 reported, and each contains one random autograph card. On3 places her in the top 100 for all NIL money-makers.

When it comes to her valuation among only women (Kai is still only 17 years old and per USGA and Florida high school rules competes as a girls golfer), she ranks in the top five NIL money-makers, outranked only by LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, LSU basketball player Flau’Jae Johnson and UConn basketball player Paige Bueckers.

Where is Kai Trump going to college?

As Golfweek reported last August, Trump verbally commited to play collegiate golf at the University of Miami.

Kai will join the Hurricanes in the 2026 signing class. She gave a shoutout to the former President, saying, “I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support.”

She played with Donald Trump in the spotlight before during a LIV Golf pro-am.

“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami. I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey,” Kai said in her post.

During an address at the Republican National Convention in July, Kai said about her grandpa: “He calls me during the middle of the school day to ask how my golf game is going and tells me all about his. But then I have to remind him that I’m in school and I’ll have to call him back later.”

What’s next for Kai Trump?

Trump is slated to join Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, at the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. The tournament is set for March 19-22 at Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, South Carolina.

The Junior Invitational field is usually comprised of 36 of the highest-ranked boys and 24 highest-ranked girls in the world. The top six players in Junior Golf Scoreboard’s rankings are in the field. Woods ranks 713th in those rankings.

The women’s field includes top-ranked Asterisk Talley, the defending champ at the event. Trump, who in the fall announced her verbal commitment to the University of Miami, is ranked No. 2,342 on Junior Golf Scoreboard. Trump was seen Sunday with Tiger Woods at the Genesis Invitational.