The Volleyball World Is Shocked: Michael Jordan and Kerri Walsh Jennings Surprise Bergen Reilly with Historic $27 Million Brand Deal in Secret Meeting
January 8, 2026 – Lincoln, Nebraska In a moment that has sent shockwaves through the entire volleyball community and beyond, Nebraska Cornhuskers setter Bergen Reilly walked into what she believed was a routine tactical briefing only to find basketball icon Michael Jordan and beach volleyball legend Kerri Walsh Jennings waiting for her.
What unfolded next wasn’t a strategy session—it was a life-changing revelation: a groundbreaking $27 million brand partnership that elevates a college volleyball star to financial heights previously reserved for professional basketball and Olympic champions.
The secret meeting took place in a private conference room at the Huskers’ state-of-the-art training facility on January 6, just days after Nebraska’s dominant start to the 2026 season.
Reilly, the junior phenom who has already etched her name in NCAA history as a three-time Big Ten Setter of the Year and AVCA First-Team All-American, arrived expecting discussions about upcoming matches.
Instead, she was greeted by two of the greatest athletes in history, flanked by executives from a newly formed sports lifestyle brand backed by Jordan’s Jumpman empire and Walsh Jennings’ own ventures.
Sources close to the deal describe the scene as electric. Reilly, still in her practice gear, froze in the doorway. “She thought it was a prank at first,” one insider revealed.
“Her eyes widened, and she just stood there, mouth open.” Jordan, ever the competitor, broke the ice with his trademark grin: “Bergen, we’ve been watching you set the world on fire. It’s time the world starts paying you like it.”
What followed was a presentation that left Reilly—and later the entire sports world—speechless. The $27 million, multi-year partnership includes endorsement deals, signature apparel and equipment lines, equity stakes, and philanthropic initiatives focused on youth volleyball and women’s empowerment.
Structured over seven years, the package reportedly guarantees $15 million upfront, with performance bonuses and royalties pushing the total to $27 million—the largest individual brand deal ever for a current NCAA women’s volleyball player.
This isn’t just about dollars; it’s a revolution. For decades, college volleyball stars, even the most dominant like Reilly, have seen their marketability capped by NIL restrictions and the sport’s relative underfunding compared to basketball or football.
Reilly’s deal shatters that ceiling, aligning her compensation with top WNBA rookies and establishing a new benchmark for women’s college athletes.
Jordan, whose brand has long dominated basketball but recently expanded into broader athletic lifestyles, explained his involvement: “Bergen plays with that killer instinct—the same fire I saw in myself. She’s not just setting balls; she’s setting records, elevating her teammates, and changing the game.
Kerri and I wanted to invest in that leadership, in that future.”
Walsh Jennings, the three-time Olympic gold medalist and one of volleyball’s most marketable figures, added emotional depth: “As a beach player, I know what it means to fight for recognition in a sport that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves. Bergen is indoor volleyball’s beacon right now.
This deal isn’t charity—it’s recognition of her worth, and it’s going to open doors for every girl digging in the back row dreaming big.”
Reilly’s reaction brought the room to tears. Overwhelmed, the Sioux Falls native wiped away tears as she addressed the legends: “I grew up idolizing both of you. Michael, your competitiveness pushed me through tough sets. Kerri, your resilience on the sand inspired me to never give up a ball.
To have you believe in me like this… it’s beyond words. This isn’t just for me—it’s for my teammates, for Nebraska, for every young setter who thinks volleyball can’t change their life. Thank you.”
The deal’s structure is innovative. It includes:
A signature “Reilly Rise” apparel line featuring performance gear tailored for setters and liberos. Equity in the brand, giving Reilly ownership and long-term wealth generation. A foundation component where a portion of proceeds funds volleyball programs in underserved communities, echoing Reilly’s own roots in South Dakota.
Media and content collaborations, including documentaries and training series.
For Nebraska volleyball, already a powerhouse under head coach Dani Busboom Kelly, this elevates the program further. Reilly’s on-court dominance—leading the nation in assists per set and guiding the Huskers to a school-record hitting percentage in 2025—now pairs with off-court influence that rivals any college athlete.
Teammates like Harper Murray and Andi Jackson celebrated publicly. Murray posted: “My setter just became a mogul. So proud, Berg! This is bigger than us.” The volleyball community erupted online, with #ReillyRevolution trending worldwide. Legends like Jordan Larson and Karch Kiraly praised the move as “long overdue” for the sport.
Critics of NIL excess were silenced by the deal’s emphasis on empowerment. “This isn’t flashy spending,” one analyst noted. “It’s strategic investment in a player who’s proven her value on and off the court.”
For Reilly, a devout family-oriented athlete in a committed relationship with basketball player Caleb Jacobsen, the financial security means generational change. “My parents sacrificed everything for my dreams,” she said. “Now I can give back—not just to them, but to kids who look like me and dream like I did.”
As the 2026 season heats up, with Nebraska eyed for another national title, Reilly steps onto the court not just as a setter, but as a trailblazer. The secret meeting with Jordan and Walsh Jennings didn’t just change her life—it changed the game.
In an era where women’s sports are finally getting their due, Bergen Reilly’s $27 million moment proves: the future is here, and it’s being set one perfect ball at a time.
