Panini America Agrees to Exclusive Trading Card Deals with Three Major Universities
Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company, announced today that it has agreed to terms with the University of Georgia, the University of Kentucky and the University of Miami in agreements that will allow the company to use each university’s marks in its trading card products on an exclusive basis. Panini plans to announce partnerships with a number of other schools over the next several weeks.
In addition, the exclusive agreements will mark the first time since 2009 that Panini America will include college-branded cards within its NBA, NFL and MLBPA trading card products.
“This is a significant announcement not just for us, but for the entire trading card industry,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Some of the most collectible players that we work with across all sports are closely associated with these three universities and we’re genuinely excited to be able to honor their collegiate accomplishments in our products.”
The new agreements will take effect with the release of Panini America’s 2015 NFL/NFLPA trading card products, 2014-15 NBA and 2015 MLBPA products launching in spring of 2015.
“College sports fans are some of the most rabid and loyal fans on the planet,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America Vice President of Marketing. “We are looking forward to creating meaningful marketing activations with our collegiate partners to establish a deeper connection to college sports fans and the universities they root for.”
Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional coverage.
The Knight's Lance 
Congratulations on being associated with the best University in the country — and with Kentucky and Miami too.
I kid.
Seriously, though, I hope that this will mean some interesting and exciting sets both of past players and, when the image rights issues are all sorted out, perhaps current players as well.
Congratulations on these agreements.
So what happens now with UDs NCAA license?
Interesting. Hope you sign deals with schools that also do Hockey. Or maybe some hockey players? keep up the great work!
Ne chance of a 1/1 paw print ‘auto’ of ugga the bulldog 🙂
Reblogged this on Locating Frankenstein's Brain.
No Duke? Would make a great next move 🙂
As a UGA fan, this is pretty hilarious news with the current Todd Gurley situation.
Big news with these signings, I’ll be very interested to see how these translate into actual products. Thanks Tracy!