The Money Game: LSU is an American docuseries that followed LSU Tiger student athletes Jayden Daniels, Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson, Livvy Dunne, Alia Armstrong, and Trace Young through their 2023–24 sports season and the impact of name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts. The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video on September 10, 2024. The Money Game was nominated for Outstanding Documentary Series (Serialized) at the 46th Sports Emmy Awards.
Contents
Synopsis
The series followed six LSU Tiger student athletes as they navigate the uncharted and often controversial world of name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts. It delves into the dual nature of opportunity and pressure in college athletics, illustrating how NIL has turned student-athletes into public figures while subjecting them to increased expectations on and off the field.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels manages the demands of a Heisman Trophy campaign alongside his NFL goals. His final season is portrayed as both a personal challenge and a duty to the LSU community, highlighted by a decisive game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson feature in LSU women's basketball. Reese, recognized for her assertive personality and strong play, faces both support and criticism as she adjusts to media attention. Johnson, balancing a career as a rapper and athlete, demonstrates a new wave of athletes diversifying their brands beyond sports. Men's basketball player Trace Young deals with NIL challenges while seeking a breakthrough.
On the gymnastics team, Livvy Dunne contends with her roles as a social media figure and an athlete aiming for team success. Her story addresses the gendered scrutiny women face in the NIL era, managing online sexism while pursuing a championship in her senior year. Hurdler Alia Armstrong offers another view, managing injuries while pursuing Olympic goals and using NIL to raise her profile in a less prominent sport.
Release
The Money Game: LSU premiered on Amazon Prime Video as a six-part series on September 10, 2024. with Amazon positioning the show within its expanding sports-focused slate.
In the run-up to release, Prime Video rolled out an official trailer and key art in mid-August 2024, highlighting storylines built around NIL-era opportunities and scrutiny for LSU athletes.
Ahead of streaming, LSU hosted a campus "gold carpet" premiere at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on September 4, 2024, with appearances by several featured athletes.
Reception
Scott Hines of Decider.com gave the series a positive review, stating The Money Game could've been dry, or limited in interest to only LSU fans. Instead, it's a sharp and balanced look at how dramatically NIL has changed the world of college athletics. The series was nominated for Outstanding Documentary Series (Serialized) at the 46th Sports Emmy Awards.