Panini America, a renowned leader in sports trading cards, has trailblazed its way into the collegiate sports market with the launch of an innovative platform called Panini College. This pioneering move opens up the realm of trading cards to college athletes, offering them a chance to have their own cards under the Panini NIL brand. The introduction of Panini College aims to provide athletes with a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and earn compensation based on the sales of their personalized trading cards.
The exciting new platform will feature athletes from partner universities, with the initial focus on football and volleyball players from prominent schools such as Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas. These athletes will not only have their cards available for sale to fans but will also offer exclusive autographed versions, adding a touch of personalization and collectibility to the cards.
Fans and collectors can anticipate a continuous stream of new products and athlete cards rolling out throughout the academic year 2024-25, starting from the official launch on Tuesday, September 3rd. Panini College will be easily accessible at college.paniniamerica.net, providing a seamless platform for fans to purchase these unique collectibles and support their favorite collegiate athletes.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations at Panini America, expressed the company’s commitment to providing every collegiate athlete with the opportunity to have their own trading card. He highlighted the significance of Panini College in reshaping the trading card market for athletes of all sports, emphasizing the platform’s role in benefiting athletes through their name, image, and likeness.
Panini College is a testament to Panini America’s extensive involvement in the collegiate NIL landscape. The platform has already partnered with notable athletes like Lexi Rodriguez, a volleyball All-American from the University of Nebraska and Panini’s first female NIL athlete, as well as other emerging talents such as Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch. Additionally, Panini gained popularity by launching the Caitlin Clark Collection earlier in 2023, celebrating the stellar career of the University of Iowa basketball star.
Through Panini College, Panini America strengthens its position as a leader in collegiate sports trading cards, providing athletes with a new platform for recognition and fans with an exciting way to engage with their favorite players. The introduction of Panini College underscores the company’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to catering to the evolving collegiate NIL market. As the platform extends to more schools and sports nationwide, the future looks bright for collegiate athletes looking to leave their mark in the world of sports collectibles.
