Panini America, a prominent name in the trading card industry, is making waves once again with the launch of Panini College. This innovative platform is set to redefine the way college athletes engage with fans, as it provides them with the chance to have their very own trading cards under the Panini NIL brand.
The concept behind Panini College is simple yet groundbreaking: student-athletes from partner universities will now have the opportunity to see their personal trading cards available for purchase by fans. These cards not only serve as collectibles but also as a memorable keepsake for both athletes and their supporters. Moreover, participating athletes will receive compensation based on the sales of their cards, and some may even offer exclusive autographed versions for avid collectors.
The initial rollout of Panini College will spotlight football and volleyball players from three prestigious schools: Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas. However, the plan is to gradually expand the program to encompass more schools and sports across the nation in the upcoming months. This expansion will enable a diverse range of athletes to showcase their name, image, and likeness to a broader audience of trading card enthusiasts.
Officially launching on Tuesday, September 3rd, Panini College will be easily accessible through the website college.paniniamerica.net. Fans can anticipate a continuous stream of new products and athlete cards being released throughout the 2024-25 academic year, providing them with a fresh array of collectibles to add to their memorabilia.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, expressed the company’s belief in ensuring that every collegiate athlete, regardless of their school, sport, or position, has the opportunity to have their own trading card. Howarth emphasized that Panini College is reshaping the trading card market for athletes in all sporting disciplines, offering them a platform to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. Additionally, as the program expands to include more schools and sports, Panini College aims to introduce new avenues for athletes to gain recognition while granting fans access to exciting new collectibles.
Panini College represents yet another milestone in Panini’s extensive involvement in the collegiate NIL landscape. The company has previously collaborated with notable athletes, such as Lexi Rodriguez, a volleyball All-American from the University of Nebraska and Panini’s first female NIL athlete. Additionally, Panini has partnered with prominent football talents like Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch, further solidifying their commitment to supporting athletes in maximizing their NIL potential.
Earlier this year, Panini captured the attention of fans by launching the highly acclaimed Caitlin Clark Collection, which paid tribute to the exceptional career of the University of Iowa basketball star. With the introduction of Panini College, Panini America strengthens its position as a frontrunner in collegiate sports trading cards, providing athletes with a new avenue for recognition and offering fans an innovative way to engage with their favorite players. This platform showcases Panini’s dedication to innovation and its active involvement in the thriving collegiate NIL market, ensuring that both athletes and fans alike can benefit from this exciting new venture.