Panini America launching NIL platform at Ohio State, Texas and Nebraska

Panini America is set to launch an NIL platform next month.

The memorabilia and trading card company announced Wednesday it is rolling out a Panini NIL brand. The platform will launch with football and volleyball athletes at Ohio State, Nebraska and Texas with plans for additional partner schools and sports.

Panini has previously inked exclusive individual deals with Texas quarterbacks Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola also have solo deals, along with Nebraska volleyball player Lexi Rodriguez.

Athletes who participate in the program will receive compensation based on card sales. Cards for each player will be added as seasons begin, with plans to offer select autograph cards. Named Panini College, products will launch on Sept. 3.

“We believe that every collegiate athlete, no matter their school, sport or position, should have the ability to have their own trading card,” Panini senior vice president of marketing Jason Howarth said in a statement. “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.”

The NIL trading card market has become increasingly competitive, with Leaf Trading Cards spending millions on high school quarterbacks. Panini signed a multi-year deal with Caitlin Clark in March while she was still at Iowa.

The idea of a NIL platform for trading cards isn’t new either. ONIT and OneTeam launched a multi-year partnership last week to create trading cards for thousands of college athletes.