Panini America has launched an innovative platform, Panini College, poised to revolutionize the trading card scene for college athletes. With the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities in collegiate sports, Panini College is set to empower athletes by giving them the chance to have their own trading cards under the Panini NIL brand.
This groundbreaking initiative allows athletes from partner universities to have personalized trading cards that will be available for sale to fans. Not only will these cards serve as a unique keepsake for supporters, but they will also provide a source of compensation for the participating athletes. Moreover, select athletes will offer exclusive autographed versions of their cards, adding an extra layer of value and collectibility.
Initially, Panini College will spotlight football and volleyball players from three prestigious schools: Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas. However, the platform’s vision extends beyond these initial partnerships, with plans to expand to include more schools and sports across the nation in the near future.
The official launch date for the Panini College platform is set for Tuesday, September 3rd, and fans can access the offerings at college.paniniamerica.net. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, enthusiasts can anticipate a continuous rollout of new products and athlete cards, ensuring a dynamic and evolving experience for collectors.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, expressed the company’s ethos behind the Panini College platform, stating, “We believe every collegiate athlete deserves the opportunity to have their own trading card. Panini College is reshaping the trading card market, providing athletes from various sports and schools a platform to benefit from their NIL rights. By expanding our reach to more universities and sports, we aim to offer increased visibility to athletes and exciting new collectibles for fans.”
Panini College adds to the brand’s significant presence in the collegiate NIL landscape, having already established partnerships with notable athletes such as Lexi Rodriguez, University of Nebraska volleyball All-American, who became Panini’s first female NIL athlete. Additionally, athletes like Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch have collaborated with Panini on exclusive trading card collections.
In a previous venture earlier in 2023, Panini launched the Caitlin Clark Collection, a tribute to the exceptional career of University of Iowa basketball standout Caitlin Clark, which garnered immense popularity within the sports card community.
With the introduction of Panini College, Panini America cements its position as a leader in the collegiate sports trading card market. The platform not only provides athletes with a novel avenue for recognition and compensation but also offers fans a fresh and engaging way to connect with their favorite players. Panini’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to the evolving collegiate NIL arena are showcased through initiatives like Panini College, marking a pivotal moment in the trading card industry.
