Panini America has set the stage for a significant shift in the world of trading cards with the introduction of its latest and most innovative platform yet – Panini College. This groundbreaking concept provides college athletes with the unprecedented opportunity to see their faces adorning official trading cards under the Panini NIL brand. Not only does this platform offer a chance for athletes to have their own collectibles available for purchase by fans, but it also serves as a lasting memento of their college sports career.
The core idea behind Panini College is to empower athletes from partner universities by enabling them to earn compensation based on the sales of their personalized trading cards. Furthermore, select athletes will have the option to provide exclusive autographed versions of their cards. The platform is set to kick off with a focus on football and volleyball players from three notable schools – Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas. However, Panini has plans to expand this initiative to encompass more schools and sports nationwide in the near future, offering a broader range of athletes the chance to showcase their name, image, and likeness through this unique avenue.
Scheduled to officially launch on September 3rd, interested fans can access the platform at college.paniniamerica.net. As the academic year progresses, a steady stream of new products and athlete cards will be added to the Panini College lineup, providing collectors and enthusiasts with a continuously evolving selection of memorabilia to peruse and acquire.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We believe every collegiate athlete, no matter the school, sport, or position, deserves the chance to have their own trading card. Panini College is reshaping the trading card market for athletes in all sports, giving them a platform to benefit from their NIL. As we add more schools and sports, we are excited to offer new opportunities for athletes to gain recognition and for fans to access exciting new collectibles.”
Panini College stands as the latest testament to Panini’s deep involvement in the collegiate NIL landscape, having previously collaborated with standout athletes such as Lexi Rodriguez, the volleyball All-American from the University of Nebraska, who became Panini’s first female NIL athlete. Additionally, names like Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch have also been part of Panini’s partnership initiatives.
This venture builds upon Panini’s earlier success with the Caitlin Clark Collection, a collection that celebrated the exceptional career of University of Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark. By launching Panini College, the company further cements its leadership in the collegiate sports trading card realm, underscoring its commitment to continued innovation and its dedication to facilitating the growth of the collegiate NIL market.
