Panini America has set the stage for a groundbreaking stride in the world of collegiate sports with the launch of Panini College. This innovative platform opens the door for college athletes to break into the trading card industry under the Panini NIL brand. It gives these athletes the opportunity to have their very own trading cards available for purchase by fans, while also creating timeless memorabilia they can cherish for years to come.
The essence of Panini College lies in its commitment to providing a platform for athletes from partner universities to earn compensation based on the sales of their trading cards. Additionally, select athletes will have the chance to offer exclusive autographed versions of their cards, adding to the appeal for collectors and fans alike.
Initially, Panini College will shine the spotlight on football and volleyball players from three prominent schools: Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas. However, this is just the beginning, as Panini has ambitious plans to extend the program to encompass more schools and a variety of sports across the nation in the near future. This expansion will grant an even wider array of athletes the chance to display their name, image, and likeness through their own trading cards.
The official launch date for the Panini College platform is set for Tuesday, September 3rd, with accessibility through college.paniniamerica.net. Fans can anticipate a continuous stream of new products and athlete cards rolling out throughout the 2024-25 academic year, keeping the excitement alive and fans engaged.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, expressed the company’s belief in providing every collegiate athlete with the opportunity to have their own trading card. He emphasized that Panini College is reshaping the trading card market for athletes in all sports by offering them a platform to capitalize on their NIL. With the promise of adding more schools and sports to the mix, Panini College is poised to present athletes with fresh opportunities for recognition, while granting fans access to thrilling new collectibles.
Panini College represents the latest addition to Panini’s strong presence in the collegiate NIL landscape. The company has already formed partnerships with standout athletes such as Lexi Rodriguez, a volleyball All-American from the University of Nebraska, who made history as Panini’s first female NIL athlete. Other notable athletes include Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch, all contributing to the diverse array of talents represented by Panini.
Looking back at 2023, Panini’s launch of the Caitlin Clark Collection, celebrating the remarkable career of the University of Iowa basketball star, further solidified the company’s stance in the collegiate sports trading card realm.
Panini America’s introduction of Panini College underscores its leadership in collegiate sports trading cards, offering a fresh avenue for athletes to gain recognition and fans a new way to engage with their favorite collegiate stars. Through this platform, Panini showcases a steadfast commitment to innovation and an unwavering dedication to the ever-growing collegiate NIL market.
