Tag: Panini America

Angel Reese joins Caitlin Clark with exclusive memorabilia partnership

Despite what some pundits say, these high-profile athletes won’t make less money playing professional basketball than they did in college.

LSU’s Angel Reese has officially declared for the 2024 WNBA draft and is expected to go in the first round. The first round consists of 12 picks and Reese is expected to go in the top 10.

Despite what some pundits say, these high-profile athletes will not make less money playing professional basketball than they did in college. They will not only have a myriad of NIL deals, known in professional sports as sponsorships but also draw a salary from their respective teams.

One of the sponsorships Reese will take with her to the WNBA is a multiyear, exclusive partnership with Panini America, which includes Reese’s autographed trading cards and memorabilia.

“Angel is an outstanding talent and an electric player, and we are excited to welcome her to the Panini family as an exclusive athlete,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America’s senior vice president of marketing and athlete relations.

According to Sportico, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark signed an exclusive partnership in early March with Panini America in a multiyear agreement worth over $1 million in the first year of the deal. Clark was the first female athlete to have partnership exclusivity covering trading cards and signed memorabilia, and Reese was the second.

“I’m excited to join Panini as an exclusive athlete for autograph trading cards and memorabilia,” Reese said. “As a little girl growing up, you always dream of playing basketball and getting your first trading card – I can’t wait for fans everywhere to be able to start collecting my Panini cards.”

The WNBA draft occurs on April 15 in New York (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET).

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Look: Panini rookie trading card previews Travon Walker in a full Jags uniform

Travon Walker’s first rookie trading card with Panini America has been revealed, and as expected, he looks awesome in a Jags uniform.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had one player to represent them in the NFLPA Rookie Premiere this week and that was No. 1 pick, Travon Walker. Part of the annual event involves a photoshoot for those who attend as well as an opportunity to be featured on Panini’s rookie trading card series.

Walker’s trading card was one of the few that have been revealed on the web and fans now have their first real preview of him in a Jags uniform.

If this doesn’t make fans reflect on some of the fearsome defenses and defenders the Jags have had in the past, I don’t know what does.

The Jags took Walker first overall in April’s draft after their defense struggled and ranked 20th overall and 23rd against the run. The hope is that Walker can  help the Jags against the elite rushers they face in the AFC South, while also giving the Jags a pass-rushing threat to help Josh Allen.

For fans who are interested in purchasing a card for memorabilia purposes, they will go on sale on Panini’s site in 14 days for $9.99. They can also be purchased in quantities of five, 10, and 25.

Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz announces new NIL memorabilia partnership

The Wisconsin quarterback announced his latest NIL partnership on Wednesday morning:

On Wednesday morning, Wisconsin starting quarterback Graham Mertz announced an ‘exclusive memorabilia partnership’ with sports memorabilia and collectible company, Panini America. This latest NIL deal comes after Mertz released his own clothing line earlier this month.

Related: Wisconsin CB Faion Hicks named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

The NIL partnership will allow the company to sell exclusive Graham Mertz signed merchandise and collectibles. Along with the memorabilia, Panini America will host public signings with the Badgers’ quarterback. They have also announced NIL partnerships with Miami Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King and Ole Miss QB Matt Corral.

Wisconsin fans will now be able to get their hands on signed Mertz memorabilia to add to their collections for the upcoming season.

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WATCH: Trevor Lawrence joins Travis Etienne for Panini America photoshoot

Etienne discussed his excitement for the first game and the reps he’s gotten at receiver, among other things.

Since the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne with their two first-round picks, it’s been hard to talk about one without mentioning the other. The duo won a national title together with the Tigers, and they’ll hope that success translates to the NFL.

Lawrence’s selection with the first-overall pick was long expected, but the Jags’ decision to take Etienne at No. 25 came as a little bit more of a surprise. But coach Urban Meyer liked the explosive playmaking Etienne demonstrated in college, and at a photoshoot for Panini America promoting his rookie card, the running back said he was ready to do the same in the NFL.

“I just can’t wait to provide big plays for Duval Nation,” Etienne said. “I feel like my first game is going to be very nerve-racking and I’ll be filled with so many emotions. Nerves will be all over the place but I feel like after the ball is kicked off, I get my first hit, and first tackle when they hit me one time, I will be great.”

The Jaguars hope that having a familiar target out of the backfield will aid in Lawrence’s development. The future franchise quarterback said that Etienne’s presence has been a huge plus when considering their bond.

“It’s been awesome having Travis here,” Lawrence said. “Obviously we have known each other for three years now, and being able to hang out, you know, outside of here but also just have a guy in the building that I have played with for the past three years, it just, you know, adds a little bit of comfort coming somewhere new and we are just really excited to do something great in Jacksonville.”

Though Etienne was used as Clemson’s primary running back, he’ll likely see a different role in the NFL. He’s projected to see action as a third-down back and should see a lot of targets in the passing game. Etienne discussed the adjustments he’s had to make in order to take on more receiver responsibilities.

“So now I am just like kind of learning real receiver routes, and having Trev here to go just do simple things as run routes outside and just kind of go over it by ourselves has really been great for me and really helped me just speed up that process,” Etienne said.

Jacksonville will hope the duo is a part of a lot of success in a Jaguars uniform as the franchise enters this new era.