Panini America – the trading card company with a star-studded roster of college athletes – is expanding its NIL footprint in a big way ahead of the fall sports season. The sports and entertainment collectibles brand announced a comprehensive and innovative new platform that will include and benefit college athletes at Panini’s partner universities.
Panini College – officially launching September 3 – is a special NIL platform that allows all athletes at the brand’s partner school to own their own Panini trading card. Athletes who participate in the program receive compensation based on card sales, with new cards being added continuously throughout the season.
The platform will initially launch with football and volleyball athletes from Ohio State University, the University of Nebraska and the University of Texas. Over the next few months, Panini College will expand the platform to additional partner schools and sports across the country.
“We believe every college athlete, regardless of school, sport or position, should have the opportunity to have their own trading card,” said Jason Howarth, senior vice president of marketing and athlete relations at Panini America. “Panini College is doing just that by 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 list of partner schools and bring additional sports on board, we look forward to providing even more ways to recognize and reward athletes while offering compelling products to fans across the country.”
Panini’s current NIL athlete roster includes volleyball All-American Lexi Rodriguez of Nebraska – the brand’s first female NIL athlete – as well as Texas quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and USC wide receiver/returner Zachariah Branch, among others. The brand previously released a Caitlin Clark Collection, a multi-card set celebrating Clark’s legendary basketball career at Iowa.
