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Panini jumps into NIL game with new Panini College trading cards
Panini is delving into the collegiate NIL world with a new line of trading cards that will raise money for college athletes.
Panini College is a dedicated NIL platform that allows athletes at partner universities to have their own Panini trading cards under the Panini NIL brand, which will be available for sale to fans and to the athletes as a personal memento. Athletes who participate in the NIL program will receive compensation based on card sales. Cards for each player will continue to be added throughout their respective seasons, with some players having autographed cards available.
The program will launch on Sept. 3 with football and volleyball athletes from three Power 5 schools—Ohio State, Texas, and the University of Nebraska. Panini College will expand to include additional schools and sports over the next few months, with additional cards released throughout the 2024-25 school year.
“We believe that every collegiate athlete, no matter their school, sport or position, should have the ability to have their own trading card,” said Jason Howarth, senior vice president of marketing and athlete relations for Panini America. “Panini College does exactly that, changing the trading card game for all athletes in all sports and allowing them to capitalize on their name, image and likeness. As we expand our roster of partner schools and onboard additional sports, we look forward to providing even more opportunities to both recognize and reward athletes, while offering compelling products to fans across the country.”
Panini College is an extension of Panini’s collegiate NIL space, which includes athlete partnerships with such college stars as University of Nebraska volleyball All-American Lexi Rodriguez, the brand’s first female NIL athlete, and such college football stars as Quinn Ewers (Texas), Arch Manning (Texas), Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), Julian Sayin (Ohio State) and Zachariah Branch (Southern Cal), and college basketball star Tre Johnson (Texas).
Panini offers several other collegiate products, including a Caitlin Clark Collection that celebrates the WNBA star’s legendary career at the University of Iowa.
