LSU star Angel Reese has fit in right with the fans at LSU as the local community have already gave her a nickname the ‘Bayou Barbie’, find out how she got the nickname, trademark details and merch
Reese has become one of college basketball’s biggest stars following her performances in the recently concluded March Madness 2023.
Explained how did Angel Reese get her nickname Bayou Barbie and its meaning
Basketball’s Queen of NIL: Angel Reese.
LSU’s ‘Bayou Barbie’ leads all college basketball players in NIL deals with 17.
She’s led LSU back to the Final Four — its first in 15 years. pic.twitter.com/Vh6cJOUmku
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 31, 2023
Y’all love the BAYOU BARBIE soo much!! SHOP THE MERCH💖😇AHHH WE JUST HIT A MILLI ON THE GRAM & TIK TOKKK!! I wanna see everybody in BB MERCH! LINK IN BIOOOO👑🔥 https://t.co/7LDk2IAOm4 pic.twitter.com/1RixmMCrYI
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 4, 2023
Last season, Reese averaged 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, while this year, those averages have shot up to 23.3 points and 15.6 rebounds.
In LSU’s last five wins Reese has recorded a double-double in every game while averaging 22.6 points and 16.2 rebounds.
How did Reese get her nickname the ‘Bayou Barbie’
According to various reports, Angel Reese earned the nickname ‘Bayou Barbie’ due to her playing style, her eyelash extensions, and her long pink nails.
Reese’s NIL representative Jeanine Ogbonnaya was quoted as saying:
Obviously she’s playing in Baton Rouge. Yeah, she is the most fabulous, amazing woman ever. She loves the color pink. She’s always getting her hair and nails done for games. So that definitely plays a big part into it.”
Back in February, reports had stated that Reese was referred to as Bayou Barbie during TV broadcasts and interviews. Eventually as the season went on, fans in the stands started displaying signs that read “Bayou Barbie.”
Reese was also quoted as saying:
Everybody in Baton Rouge calls me the Bayou Barbie. My nails say ‘Bayou Barbie’ on them. So, yeah, that’s me. I got a trademark so . . . I’m Bayou Barbie.”
‘Bayou Barbie’ trademark
Angel Reese has reportedly tried to make her nickname official by filing a trademark application for “Bayou Barbie”. Once the filing gets accepted, Reese would be able to put the nickname on her merchandise.
Reports state that the application was filed back in February with the hope for a response by 2024. Darren Heitner, the IP attorney who filed the request, stated that requests can generally take around 12 months.
There are some concerns regarding the trademark request as “Barbie” is already trademarked by toy company Mattel. However, Heitner states that everything has remained on track to date.
Reese has reportedly already begun the process of selling merchandise with the name Bayou Barbie on it. These include T-shirts and sweatshirts.
Angel Reese NIL deals
Besides being a true star on the court, Reese has also been a star in the NIL realm. Reports state that only four collegiate athletes have more NIL deals than her Reese’s 17 deals. And none of them play college basketball.
Reese reportedly has an estimated earning potential of around $392,000, which is sixth among Division I women’s basketball players. She has signed deals with companies like Coach.