Panini America is revolutionizing the trading card industry once again with the launch of its innovative platform, Panini College. This groundbreaking new initiative is designed to empower college athletes by providing them with the opportunity to have their own trading cards under the Panini NIL brand. Not only will this platform allow athletes from partner universities to have their personal cards available for sale to fans, but it also serves as a memorable keepsake for both the athletes and their supporters.
The launch of Panini College marks a significant step forward in the collegiate sports trading card market. Athletes from partner universities such as Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas will be featured in the initial phase of the program. These athletes will have the chance to earn compensation based on the sales of their trading cards, with select athletes also offering exclusive autographed versions to fans and collectors.
In the coming months, Panini plans to expand the Panini College program to include more schools and sports across the country. This expansion will give a wider range of athletes the opportunity to showcase their name, image, and likeness through the creation of their personalized trading cards.
The official launch of Panini College is set for Tuesday, September 3rd, with the platform being accessible at college.paniniamerica.net. Fans can look forward to a continuous rollout of new products and athlete cards throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, ensuring that there is always something exciting to collect and cherish.
Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, expressed his enthusiasm for the Panini College platform, 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 builds upon Panini America’s existing leadership in the collegiate NIL landscape. The company has already partnered with prominent athletes, such as Lexi Rodriguez, a volleyball All-American from the University of Nebraska and Panini’s first female NIL athlete, along with other notable names like Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch.
In addition to the launch of Panini College, Panini America previously introduced the Caitlin Clark Collection, a highly popular trading card series celebrating the remarkable career of University of Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark. These initiatives reflect Panini’s commitment to driving innovation in the trading card market and supporting the rapidly growing collegiate NIL industry.
Panini America’s Panini College platform is poised to reshape the way college athletes engage with fans and capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. By providing athletes with the opportunity to have their own trading cards, Panini is not only offering a unique memento for fans but also creating a new avenue for athletes to earn compensation and gain recognition in the sports collectibles market.
