NFLPA, Panini Unveil Trading Card Index

NFL Players Inc. has teamed with Panini America, the exclusive trading card manufacturer for the National Football League and National Football League Players Association, to launch the inaugural edition of the NFLPA Trading Card Index.

April 6, 2018

New report will rank top performing NFL players based on collectability, more.

The NFLPA Trading Card Index is a new quarterly report that will rank the top 15 rookies and top 15 veterans in the licensed trading card industry. The ranking is based on key factors such as secondary-market transactions, overall trading volume and collectability based on on-field performance and expectations like Rookie hype and collector speculation.

The premiere index also includes the first official rankings for the 2016 NFL Draft class, which is based largely on early trading activity surrounding Panini’s 2016 collegiate product Contenders Draft Picks Football, which was released March 23.

“The premiere NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index comes at the perfect time,” says Jason Howarth, vice president, marketing, Panini. “The rookie list reflects the level

of excitement and speculation fans and collectors have for the key players in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. Conversely, the veteran list offers something of a recap of the 2015 NFL season based on trading-card performance and is driven by last season’s most impressive rookies and veteran superstars.”

On the rookie index, quarterback prospects Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) and Jared Goff (California), along with running backs Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State) and Derrick Henry (Alabama) claim the top four spots. Meanwhile, the veteran index, which includes 2015 rookies, sees seven of its top 10 slots held by quarterbacks and its top three spots held by Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans), Tom Brady (New England Patriots) and Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos).

“The new NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index is an excellent example of the creativity that Panini brings to the trading card market,” says Steve Scebelo, vice president, licensing and business development, NFLPA. “It presents a singularly unique snapshot of players in all stages of their careers who have the ability to drive results on the field and at retail.”

The NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index will be published again in early July for second quarter results and early September for third quarter results. The fourth quarter results will be published in two special editions in early November and early January to capture mid-season and end-of-season performances.

The NFLPA has evolved and expanded its initiatives over the past 60 years from a core legal representation to a collective business with interests in marketing, sponsorships and brand licensing. Read more about the NFLPA’s plans for the future in the

February issue of License! Global

. To see the NFLPA in action, the organization will also host a

sports activation zone

at Licensing Expo, June 21-23, in Las Vegas, Nev.