Upper Deck, a prominent figure in the sports collectibles industry, has recently announced exciting new partnerships with The Brandr Group, a representation agency for student-athlete name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, and CLC, the nation’s preeminent collegiate brand licensing company. These collaborations mark the inception of a groundbreaking trading card collection devoted to showcasing the accomplishments of a diverse array of college athletes participating in various sports disciplines.
The World of Sports™ Volume 1 Trading Card Set, Upper Deck’s innovative venture, aims to honor the triumphs of student-athletes from universities nationwide. The lineup will shine a spotlight on exceptional programs like the University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team renowned for its record-breaking attendance figures and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s field hockey squad clinching consecutive national championships. This exclusive card set will encompass athletes representing a multitude of officially licensed college programs under CLC, whose portfolio covers more than 600 top-tier universities.
With a legacy spanning 35 years in producing top-notch trading cards and memorabilia for professional athletes across diverse sports, Upper Deck is now pioneering the creation of trading cards featuring emerging college athletes’ names, images, likenesses, and autographs. The roster will encompass standout talents from women’s and men’s sports, encompassing disciplines like softball, gymnastics, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and football.
Jordy Bahl, a decorated national champion pitcher, shared her enthusiasm about this novel endeavor, expressing how it feels like an honor to have her cherished softball moments immortalized through these trading cards. She eagerly looks forward to sharing these tokens with her close ones, fans, and anyone who has followed her athletic journey.
Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck, underscored the significance of these NIL agreements, emphasizing their role in providing budding players with opportunities to establish their personal brand identity early on. This initiative also aims to promote gender equality by acknowledging the remarkable achievements of men and women in less represented sports who contribute significantly to their schools and merit recognition for their efforts. Masherah voiced his anticipation for fans and collectors to relish these special mementos from the athletes’ nascent careers.
Jim Neish, Vice President of Licensing and Business Development at The Brandr Group, further emphasized the collaborative spirit with Upper Deck as a means to bestow well-deserved recognition upon a myriad of world-class collegiate athletes, irrespective of their sport. These trading cards are envisioned to elevate the athletes’ profiles, serving as a platform to establish themselves as distinguished student-athletes or embark on illustrious professional trajectories.
The forthcoming Upper Deck World of Sports Volume 1 Trading Card Set will be accessible for purchase at local hobby shops, retailers, and online platforms. Enthusiasts are encouraged to stay updated on the release details by following UpperDeck.com for the latest developments in this exciting new chapter of sports collectibles.