Kentucky, Georgia, Miami Universities Ink Exclusive Card Deals With Panini

Panini America has agreed to terms with the University of Georgia, the University of Kentucky and the University of Miami that will allow the company to use each university’s marks in its trading card products on an exclusive basis. Panini plans to announce partnerships with a number of other schools over the next several weeks.

In addition, the exclusive agreements will mark the first time since 2009 that Panini America will include college-branded cards within its NBA, NFL and MLBPA trading card products.

“This is a significant announcement not just for us, but for the entire trading card industry,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Some of the most collectible players that we work with across all sports are closely associated with these three universities and we’re genuinely excited to be able to honor their collegiate accomplishments in our products.”

The new agreements will take effect with the release of Panini America’s 2015 NFL/NFLPA trading card products, 2014-15 NBA and 2015 MLBPA products launching in Spring 2015.

“College sports fans are some of the most rabid and loyal fans on the planet,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America Vice President of Marketing. “We are looking forward to creating meaningful marketing activations with our collegiate partners to establish a deeper connection to college sports fans and the universities they root for.”