ROAD TOWN, Tortola, British Virgin Islands — British Virgin Islands sprint sensation Adaejah Hodge has added another major achievement to her rapidly growing list of accolades, officially signing a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreement with global sportswear giant Nike.
The endorsement marks another milestone in Hodge’s remarkable rise and comes on the heels of a record-breaking freshman campaign at the University of Georgia, where she established herself as one of the most dominant sprinters in collegiate track and field history.
During the 2026 NCAA outdoor season, Hodge rewrote the record books by clocking an astonishing 10.63 seconds in the 100 metres and 21.68 seconds in the 200 metres, setting new NCAA records in both events. Her performances cemented her place among the fastest women ever to compete at the collegiate level and earned widespread recognition across the athletics world.
She also played a pivotal role in helping the University of Georgia capture the women’s team championship at last month’s NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, contributing crucial points that helped secure the national title.
The Nike partnership is significant not only because of the company’s stature in global athletics but also because it reflects Hodge’s growing influence beyond the track. Nike sponsors many of the world’s greatest sprinters, Olympic champions, and world record holders, making the endorsement a powerful vote of confidence in the young BVI athlete’s future.
The agreement is made possible through NCAA Name, Image and Likeness rules, commonly known as NIL. Introduced in July 2021, the policy allows student-athletes in the United States to earn income from endorsements, sponsorships, personal appearances, autograph signings, social media promotions, and other commercial opportunities while maintaining their eligibility to compete in collegiate sports.
Before the rule change, NCAA athletes were prohibited from profiting from their name, image, or likeness, despite often generating significant revenue and publicity for their universities and college athletics. The introduction of NIL transformed the landscape of collegiate sports, enabling athletes to build their personal brands and secure partnerships with major companies while continuing their education and athletic careers.
For Hodge, the agreement with Nike places her among an elite group of collegiate track and field athletes whose exceptional performances and marketability have attracted the attention of one of the world’s leading sports brands. It also underscores the growing commercial value of women’s athletics, particularly in track and field, where standout collegiate athletes are increasingly becoming internationally recognized figures before turning professional.
The signing is also a proud moment for the British Virgin Islands, whose athletes continue to make an outsized impact on the international stage. Hodge has become one of the Territory’s brightest sporting ambassadors, inspiring young athletes through her discipline, determination, and extraordinary achievements.
As she prepares to return to the University of Georgia for her sophomore season, expectations remain high. With NCAA records already to her name, a national team championship, and now a landmark endorsement from Nike, Adaejah Hodge enters the next chapter of her career as one of the brightest stars in collegiate athletics and one of the most exciting sprint prospects in the world.
For the British Virgin Islands, her journey is more than a story of individual success—it is a reminder that world-class talent can emerge from a small island nation and compete with the very best on the global stage.