At just 20 years old and while still in school, LSU star Flau’jae Johnson is not only doing wonders in women’s sports and women’s basketball but in finances as well. In May, Boardroom reported that she was among a team of Patricof Co clients who had acquired equity stakes in Bazooka Candy Brands, the company behind Bazooka bubble gum, Ring Pops, and Push Pops.
It was Johnson’s first equity investment, showing how NIL is being used for lasting and sustainable wealth, the platform noted. The month before this, the basketball star had been ranked 14th on On3.com’s NIL rankings with a valuation of $1.2 million.
She had also signed NIL deals with Puma, Powerade and Experian since being named SEC Freshman of the Year.
RELATED STORIES
“It’s a really beautiful thing how we’re able to really profit right off our name, image, and likeness, but being an entrepreneur takes it another step further,” Johnson, a 20-year-old rising junior and budding entrepreneur, told Boardroom in May. “It’s not just making money and profit but actually making the money make money for you, you know what I’m saying? And I believe that should be the next step in NIL after the money, after the deals; setting yourself for the next years of your life. I always tell people, you only really get four years, and NIL is a really small window. So to be able to make investments and be smart with your money, now you don’t have to wait until after NIL.”
Certainly, the Savannah native agrees that having the right support system is significant in achieving one’s dreams while still in school and playing basketball. For Johnson, her mother, Kia Brooks, who doubles as her manager, has helped her build an impressive portfolio that includes land and real estate.
Last week, Johnson announced that she had purchased her first piece of land to build generational wealth early.
“This my land y’all. All of this. All of this my land. We gotta cut the trees down. Come on, I got acres. Y’all be thinking I just be putting it in songs, but nah. They trying to be funny. I’m trying to get money,” Johnson said while displaying a wooded area.
Salathia Brittian, an associate broker with Maximum One Realty in Georgia, reportedly sold her the property. Johnson shared multiple photos and videos from her closing day on Instagram.
“BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS. Y’all I’m only 20 years old and just closed on my first piece of land!! WATCH WHAT I DO. I GOT ACRESSS BABYYYYY. This means so much to me being a young Black woman continuing to beat the odds!! I’m starting to create generational wealth for my family and I couldn’t be more excited,” she wrote.
“You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. Keep pushing. Can’t believe I own acres of land,” Johnson added.
Johnson, who first made waves as a rapper on superproducer Jermaine Dupri’s hit reality show “The Rap Game,” is now one of the top prospects in college basketball.
Her mother, Brooks, had said this year that even though she believes in Johnson’s talent and is certain she would do great in the WNBA, she still wants her to finish school.
“I don’t want you to miss anything,” said Brooks.
In April, Johnson showed off a brand new Mercedes AMG G63 valued at around $180,000.
“This What Hard Work Look Like,” she wrote. “#ThankYouJesus.”
