Panini America has added another star to its constellation of collegiate athletes with the exclusive autograph trading card deal inked with University of Alabama quarterback, Jalen Milroe. The promising junior standout will be prominently featured in Panini’s collegiate product lines, including their innovative Instant Card platform showcasing top players and exceptional performances from the college football season. Moreover, Milroe is poised to play a pivotal role in Panini’s strategic marketing endeavors as a part of this thrilling new collaboration.
The football phenom has been setting the field ablaze this season, tallying an impressive 23 total touchdowns – 12 passing and 11 rushing – and amassing nearly 1,500 passing yards. Milroe’s exceptional leadership skills have steered Alabama to an outstanding 5-1 start. Notably, in 2023, he spearheaded the Crimson Tide to a remarkable 12-2 season, clinching an SEC Championship title and securing a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. His stellar performance earned him the title of MVP in the SEC Championship Game and garnered him second-team All-SEC accolades.
This partnership signifies a significant milestone in Panini’s foray into the collegiate Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) domain. Recently, the company rolled out “Panini College,” a cutting-edge platform enabling athletes from partner universities to showcase on their own Panini trading cards under the Panini NIL banner. Initially debuting with athletes from powerhouse schools like Ohio State, Nebraska, and Texas, the platform is slated for broader expansion, encompassing more universities and sports in the near future.
Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations at Panini America, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Jalen is one of the premier talents in college football, and we are ecstatic to welcome him to our expanding roster of athletes. As we continue to bolster our Panini College platform, Jalen will play a significant role in our endeavors to offer fans captivating products and memorable collectibles.”
Joining the ranks of college football’s elite, Milroe joins a notable lineup of football luminaries with exclusive Panini agreements, such as Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin, and Zachariah Branch. This partnership underlines Panini’s dedication to engaging with the emerging generation of football luminaries and providing fans with premium collectible experiences they won’t soon forget.
Expressing his excitement for this collaboration, Milroe remarked, “Every child dreams of having their own trading card, and now that dream has materialized for me. Panini boasts remarkable brands, and I am eager to collaborate with them to create something extraordinary for college football aficionados.”
With Jalen Milroe’s star on the rise at Alabama and Panini’s burgeoning presence in the NIL landscape, this partnership promises to deliver exclusive trading card experiences that will enthrall fans and collectors alike.