Panini America is changing the game with the launch of its innovative NIL platform, Panini College. This groundbreaking platform is set to revolutionize the way college athletes are recognized and compensated for their name, image, and likeness, allowing them to have their own trading cards under the Panini NIL brand.
Partnering with prestigious universities such as Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Texas, Panini College will initially feature football and volleyball players from these schools. The platform offers athletes the opportunity to have their personal cards available for sale to fans, providing them with a unique keepsake and a chance to earn compensation based on the sales of their cards. Additionally, select athletes will provide exclusive autographed versions of their cards, adding to the allure of these collectibles.
The official launch of Panini College is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3rd, with the platform accessible at college.paniniamerica.net. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, fans can look forward to continuous releases of new products and athlete cards as the program expands to include more schools and sports across the country.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America, emphasized the importance of giving every collegiate athlete the opportunity to have their own trading card. By reshaping the trading card market and providing a platform for athletes from all sports to benefit from their NIL, Panini College aims to offer new opportunities for athletes to gain recognition and for fans to access exciting collectibles.
Panini College builds upon Panini’s existing leadership in the collegiate NIL landscape. The platform follows the successful partnerships with prominent athletes like Lexi Rodriguez, the University of Nebraska volleyball All-American and Panini’s first female NIL athlete, as well as Quinn Ewers, Tre Johnson, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch. Panini also introduced the popular Caitlin Clark Collection earlier in 2023 to celebrate the incredible career of the University of Iowa basketball star.
With the launch of Panini College, Panini America solidifies its position as a leader in collegiate sports trading cards, offering athletes a new avenue for recognition and fans an exciting way to engage with their favorite players. The platform underlines Panini’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to the evolving collegiate NIL market.
