NIL Deals
Wonderful Pistachios Signs Seven College Sports Stars to Its First-Ever NIL Roster, The “Don’t Hold Back All-Stars”
Social-first campaign brings together elite athletes across six sports and all Power Four conferences to show how they get game day ready with America’s No. 1 Snack Nut Brand
LOS ANGELES (September 15, 2026) – Wonderful® Pistachios is bringing even more star power to its growing sports marketing lineup, signing seven of the country’s most exciting young athletes to its first-ever multi-athlete NIL program, the “Don’t Hold Back All-Stars.” Spanning six sports and schools representing all four Power Four conferences, the new roster brings together athletes who are already among the best in their respective sports, poised for professional careers and competing on the world’s biggest stages.
Beginning this fall and continuing throughout the 2026–27 college sports season, the Don’t Hold Back All-Stars will star in a series of social-first content showcasing how Wonderful Pistachios helps them get game day ready. With seven athletes, six sports and a content slate spanning fall, winter and spring seasons, Wonderful Pistachios is breaking new ground in a territory traditionally dominated by apparel, technology, beverages and conventional snack foods.
“The Don’t Hold Back All-Stars are incredible competitors with dynamic personalities, and each one embodies what our brand is about: going after what you want without holding back,” said Diana Salsa, vice president of marketing at Wonderful Pistachios. “We’re giving them a platform to show fans their talent, their individuality and, of course, how healthy snacking with Wonderful Pistachios gets them ready for game day and every day in between.”
Developed by the Wonderful Agency, the campaign pairs each athlete with a unique creative concept built around their sport, personality and skills, while positioning Wonderful Pistachios as a tasty, protein-powered snack with six grams of protein per serving for athletes and fans alike.
Meet the Don’t Hold Back All-Stars
Together, the seven athletes give Wonderful Pistachios a presence across football, men’s and women’s basketball, track and field, women’s soccer, softball and women’s volleyball, with representation from the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and ACC.
Quincy Wilson – Track & Field, University of Maryland | Runner
Arriving on campus as the under-18 world record holder in both the indoor and outdoor 400-meter sprints, the three-time Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year is a 400-meter phenom who has already won an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
Jazzy Davidson – Women’s Basketball, University of Southern California | Guard
After a breakout freshman campaign at the University of Southern California (USC), Davidson enters her sophomore season as one of the brightest young stars in women’s basketball. The 6-foot-1 guard earned National Freshman of the Year honors and All-Big Ten recognition after leading the Trojans in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game.
Deron Rippey Jr. – Men’s Basketball, Duke | Guard
One of the top young guards in college basketball, Rippey arrives at Duke as a highly touted freshman ready to make his mark. A 6-foot-3 freshman with the athleticism and skill to make an immediate impression, Rippey joins the Blue Devils for the 2026–27 season and gives the Don’t Hold Back All-Stars another rising basketball talent.
Deus Stanislaus – Women’s Soccer, University of North Carolina | Midfielder
Stanislaus begins her freshman season at North Carolina, joining one of the most storied programs in women’s college soccer. She is also a member of the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team. The midfielder brings her global game to the Don’t Hold Back All-Stars roster and represents the next generation of talent looking to make its mark in Chapel Hill.
Julian “JuJu” Lewis – Football, University of Colorado | Quarterback
One of the most highly touted quarterback prospects from the Class of 2025, Lewis threw for 589 yards and four touchdowns without an interception last season, offering Buffaloes fans an early look at the talent that made “JuJu” one of the most talked-about recruits in college football.
Taylor Shumaker – Softball, University of Florida | Outfielder
Shumaker has wasted little time becoming one of college softball’s premier players. The Florida outfielder followed a National Freshman of the Year campaign with her second All-American season in 2026, earning First Team All-SEC honors and establishing herself as one of the sport’s most competitive young stars who doesn’t hold back.
London Wijay – Women’s Volleyball, USC | Outside Hitter
An outside hitter from Southern California, Wijay brings power at the net as the Trojans’ leading scorer and hometown pride to USC and the Don’t Hold Back All-Stars. The redshirt junior adds women’s volleyball to a roster intentionally built to reach fans across some of the fastest-growing and most culturally relevant sports in college athletics.
The launch of the Don’t Hold Back All-Stars serves as the latest evolution of Wonderful Pistachios’ “The Don’t Hold Back Snack®” campaign, which debuted in 2025 and encourages consumers to embrace bold flavor, better-for-you snacking and a more confident approach to everyday life. Just as these athletes don’t hold back in pursuit of greatness, Wonderful Pistachios invites fans to not hold back when it comes to choosing a snack that’s both satisfying and nutritious. Whether preparing for game day, the workday or any challenge in between, Wonderful Pistachios delivers the protein, flavor and crunch to help consumers bring their best every day.
For more information about Wonderful Pistachios, visit wonderfulpistachios.com or follow @wonderfulpistachios on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
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