Jamaica’s rising 200/400m sprint talent Dejanea Oakley has signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Swiss performance footwear and apparel company On, joining an elite group of world-class athletes associated with the brand.
Presently a junior at the University of Georgia, Oakley with lifetime bests of 22.43 and 50.35, respectively, finalised the agreement recently, with the potential to transition to a full professional contract with On once she ends her collegiate career. The partnership represents another major step in her rapidly developing career and puts her among On's growing portfolio of global sports stars, including distance runners Helen Obiri and Yared Nuguse, European 60m hurdles gold medalist Ditaji Kambundji and tennis world No. 1 Iga Świątek.
Tennis legend Roger Federer, one of On’s most prominent investors, holds a stake in the company estimated at over US$180 million.
Oakley, 20, has built an impressive résumé at both regional and global age-group levels. She won silver medals as a member of Jamaica’s 4x400m relay teams at the 2022 World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, and at the 2023 Pan American U20 Championships in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. She also earned bronze in the individual 400m at Pan Ams and placed fifth in the 400m at the 2022 World U20s, clocking a personal best of 52.31. In total, she has represented Jamaica with distinction across three global youth competitions.
The NIL deal reflects Oakley’s growing marketability as a collegiate star with international appeal. It also underscores On’s strategic interest in expanding into sprint events and the Caribbean market, both of which have historically been dominated by other sportswear giants.
On Holding AG, founded in 2010 by former Swiss Ironman champion Olivier Bernhard along with David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti, is known for its innovative CloudTec® cushioning technology. After a 2024 revenue surge of 29.4 per cent, bringing annual sales to CHF 2.32 billion, the company appointed Martin Hoffmann as sole CEO in April 2025 following the departure of co-CEO Marc Maurer.
With On's continued global expansion and Oakley’s projected rise in athletics, the partnership appears well-timed and mutually beneficial as the Jamaican sprinter eyes both NCAA and professional glory.