Panini America, a prominent name in the sports trading card industry, has recently announced a significant partnership with University of Alabama’s star quarterback, Jalen Milroe. This exclusive deal will see Milroe featured in Panini’s collegiate product lines, including the popular Instant Card platform that showcases top players and game highlights from the college football season. Additionally, Milroe will actively participate in Panini’s marketing endeavors as part of this exciting collaboration.
Throughout the current season, Milroe has been a standout performer, impressively accumulating a total of 23 touchdowns, with 12 passing and 11 rushing, along with nearly 1,500 passing yards to his credit. His exceptional leadership skills have been instrumental in guiding Alabama to a commendable 5-1 start in the ongoing season. In 2023, Milroe played a pivotal role in leading the Crimson Tide to an outstanding 12-2 season, clinching the SEC Championship title and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. He was duly recognized for his exceptional performances by being named the MVP of the SEC Championship Game and earning second-team All-SEC honors.
This strategic partnership marks another significant milestone in Panini’s endeavor to venture into the collegiate Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) arena. The trading card giant recently launched “Panini College,” a platform that allows athletes from partner universities to feature on their personalized Panini trading cards under the Panini NIL brand. Initially, the platform showcased athletes from renowned schools such as Ohio State, Nebraska, and Texas, with plans to expand to more universities and sports in the forthcoming months.
Jason Howarth, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations at Panini America, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Jalen is one of the top talents in college football, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our growing family of athletes. As we continue to build out our Panini College platform, Jalen will be a key part of our efforts to offer fans exciting products and memorable collectibles.”
Joining the ranks of exclusive Panini athletes such as Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch, Milroe’s partnership exemplifies Panini’s dedication to engaging with the future stars of football and delivering premium collectible experiences to enthusiastic fans.
Milroe himself expressed his elation about the collaboration, remarking, “Every kid dreams of having their own trading card, and now that dream has come true for me. Panini has some incredible brands, and I’m excited to work with them to create something special for college football fans.”
With Jalen Milroe’s exceptional performance at Alabama and Panini’s continuous expansion into the exciting NIL space, this partnership promises to offer unique and captivating trading card experiences that fans and collectors alike will not want to miss out on.
