Panini America has stepped up its game in the world of college sports by launching its innovative platform, Panini College. This groundbreaking initiative offers college athletes the chance to have their very own trading cards under the Panini NIL brand. The new platform not only provides athletes with a unique opportunity to showcase themselves but also gives fans a one-of-a-kind collectible to cherish.
Athletes from partner universities such as Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas will be the first to feature on Panini College. Football and volleyball players from these schools will have their personal cards available for purchase, with select athletes even offering exclusive autographed versions. The platform aims to expand to encompass more schools and sports in the near future, ensuring a wider array of athletes can benefit from this exciting opportunity to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness.
Panini College officially launches on September 3rd, with its online platform accessible at college.paniniamerica.net. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, fans can expect a continuous rollout of new products and athlete cards, providing ample opportunity to collect and support their favorite college sports stars.
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, Jason Howarth, expressed the company’s belief that every collegiate athlete should have the chance to see themselves on a trading card. He highlighted how Panini College is revolutionizing the trading card market by offering athletes in all sports the ability to profit from their NIL. As more schools and sports are added to the platform, the company anticipates an increase in recognition for athletes and a fresh array of collectibles for fans to enjoy.
Panini College is the latest addition to Panini’s extensive involvement in the collegiate NIL landscape. The company has already collaborated with notable athletes like Lexi Rodriguez, a volleyball All-American from the University of Nebraska and Panini’s first female NIL athlete. Additionally, athletes such as Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch have joined forces with Panini to make their mark in the trading card industry.
In an earlier move in 2023, Panini launched the immensely popular Caitlin Clark Collection, which celebrated the remarkable career of the University of Iowa basketball star.
Through Panini College, Panini America strengthens its foothold in collegiate sports trading cards by offering athletes a fresh avenue for recognition and fans a novel way to connect with their favorite players. The platform underlines Panini’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to nurturing the rapidly expanding collegiate NIL market, ensuring athletes and fans alike can continue to engage with unforgettable collectibles and opportunities for growth.
