Panini America has revolutionized the way college athletes can engage with their fans by introducing Panini College, an innovative platform that allows athletes to have their own trading cards under the Panini NIL brand. This groundbreaking initiative not only provides athletes with a tangible keepsake but also opens up a new revenue stream by allowing them to earn compensation based on the sales of their cards.
The platform’s primary focus is on partnering with major universities such as Ohio State University, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Texas to feature football and volleyball players initially. However, Panini has big plans to extend this program to more schools and a variety of sports in the upcoming months, aiming to provide opportunities for a broader range of athletes to showcase their talent and benefit financially from their name, image, and likeness.
Scheduled to launch on Tuesday, September 3rd, interested fans can visit college.paniniamerica.net to explore the platform and discover a diverse range of athlete cards available for purchase. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, Panini promises to continuously release new products and athlete cards to keep the excitement alive.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, emphasized the inclusive nature of the Panini College platform, stating that every collegiate athlete, regardless of their background, sport, or school, should have the opportunity to have their own trading card. This initiative aims to reshape the trading card market by providing athletes with a unique platform to capitalize on their NIL in a positive and rewarding manner.
Panini College is the latest addition to Panini America’s comprehensive involvement in the collegiate NIL landscape. The company has already partnered with renowned athletes such as Lexi Rodriguez from the University of Nebraska, who is the first female NIL athlete under the Panini brand. Additionally, athletes like Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch have also joined forces with Panini to explore new opportunities through their trading cards.
Reflecting on their past successes, including the popular Caitlin Clark Collection launched earlier in 2023 to celebrate the remarkable career of the University of Iowa basketball star, Panini America continues to strengthen its leadership position in collegiate sports trading cards. The introduction of the Panini College platform underscores the company’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to supporting athletes in navigating the evolving collegiate NIL market.
