Panini America, a leader in the sports trading card industry, has once again pushed the boundaries of innovation with the launch of Panini College. This new platform is tailor-made for college athletes, giving them the chance to step into the spotlight and have their very own trading cards under the Panini NIL brand.
The concept behind Panini College is straightforward yet revolutionary – students from partner universities will now have the opportunity to see their faces on trading cards available for purchase by avid fans. These cards will not only be cherished keepsakes for supporters but will also serve as a source of income for the athletes. Through the sales of their trading cards, participants will receive compensation, with a select few even offering exclusive autographed versions for eager collectors.
For its initial rollout, Panini College has handpicked football and volleyball players from three prestigious schools: Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas. However, this is just the beginning. The ambitious plan is to expand the program to encompass a broader range of schools and sports nationwide, ensuring that a diverse array of athletes can leverage their name, image, and likeness through this innovative platform.
Excitement surrounding the launch of Panini College is palpable, with the platform officially going live on Tuesday, September 3rd. Fans can look forward to a continuous stream of new products and athlete cards being released throughout the 2024-25 academic year, guaranteeing a steady flow of fresh and enticing collectibles for enthusiasts to enjoy.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations at Panini America, expressed the company’s unwavering commitment to providing every collegiate athlete with the opportunity to have their own trading card. He emphasized that Panini College marks a significant shift in the trading card landscape, empowering athletes from various sports and schools to capitalize on their NIL. As the platform expands to include more universities and sports, it promises to open up even more avenues for athletes to garner recognition and for fans to access unique and captivating collectibles.
Panini College is not an isolated endeavor but rather an extension of Panini’s deep involvement in the collegiate NIL sphere. The company has already forged partnerships with notable athletes such as Lexi Rodriguez, a volleyball All-American from the University of Nebraska and the first female NIL athlete under Panini. Additionally, athletes like Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch have also joined forces with Panini to showcase their talents on trading cards.
This isn’t the first time Panini has made waves in the collegiate sports trading card arena. In 2023, the brand launched the Caitlin Clark Collection, celebrating the extraordinary career of University of Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark. These initiatives demonstrate Panini’s unwavering commitment to innovation and their keen understanding of the rapidly evolving collegiate NIL market.
With Panini College, Panini America continues to solidify its position as a pioneer in collegiate sports trading cards – providing a fresh platform for athletes to gain recognition and fans to engage with exciting new collectibles.