From the courts to the fields, and now onto trading cards, female athletes are taking the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space by storm. Leaf Trading Cards has unveiled its latest creation, the 2024 Leaf Metal Women of Sport collection, marking a historic moment in the world of trading cards by honoring iconic female athletes from all generations.
The collection boasts a variety of autograph sets including Herstory, She Got Game, Starstruck, Dazzlers, Unbreakable Duals, and Anime Nation. Fans can expect to find legendary athletes like soccer icons Mia Hamm and Alex Morgan, basketball legends Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie, softball star Jennie Finch, and sports commentator Doris Burke. The collection doesn’t stop at the past but also features today’s leading NIL stars, like LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, UConn basketball sensation Paige Bueckers, UCLA softball standout Maya Brady, and Clemson track sensation Makenzie Steele. Additionally, it shines a spotlight on rising talents such as U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman, WNBA star Cameron Brink, and Mexico’s flag football standout Diana Flores.
CJ Breen, Leaf’s Director of Marketing and Licensing, is thrilled about this project, highlighting the importance of recognizing and uplifting female athletes in the trading card industry. He stated, “Bringing the spotlight to female athletes and their achievements in the world of trading cards has been a top priority for us at Leaf. With this collection, we aim to give these remarkable women the recognition they deserve.”
One of the standout additions to the collection is Duke freshman Toby Fournier, known for her impressive dunking skills showcased in viral videos on social media. Fournier’s exclusive deal with Leaf marks a milestone as the only incoming freshman women’s basketball player to achieve such an agreement.
In addition to individual cards, the collection presents exciting pairings of sports stars, like a card featuring U.S. soccer legends Mia Hamm, Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith, and Brandi Chastain, as well as a dynamic duo card showcasing Cameron Brink and Paige Bueckers. Paige Bueckers also stars in a special animated card commemorating her All-American status at UConn, adding a unique touch to the collection.
Breen aspires for this collection to not only elevate the presence of female athletes in the trading card world but also to foster inclusivity within the hobby. He commented, “I hope that this product serves as a catalyst for inclusivity in sports trading cards and attracts a new wave of collectors to the community. Collecting cards should be enjoyable and open to everyone.”
Through this launch, Leaf Trading Cards continues to champion female athletes, bridging the gap between sports enthusiasts and card collectors, and advocating for the acknowledgment of women’s accomplishments in the sports realm.
