Upper Deck, a prominent figure in the sports collectibles industry, has joined forces with The Brandr Group, a representation agency focusing on student-athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and CLC, a leading collegiate brand licensing company. This collaboration signifies a significant step towards the launch of a cutting-edge trading card line that will spotlight a diverse array of college athletes across numerous sports.
The newly unveiled initiative by Upper Deck, titled the World of Sports™ Volume 1 Trading Card Set, aims to honor the accomplishments of student-athletes hailing from various colleges nationwide. Among the featured programs are the University of Nebraska women's volleyball team, renowned for their remarkable attendance records, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's field hockey team, boasting consecutive national titles. The card set will encompass athletes from a wide range of officially licensed college programs under CLC, representing over 600 prestigious universities across the country.
Having established a legacy of producing top-quality trading cards and memorabilia for professional athletes in different sports over the past 35 years, Upper Deck now seizes a distinctive opportunity through these novel NIL-focused agreements. This venture allows the creation of trading cards showcasing the names, images, likenesses, and autographs of up-and-coming college athletes, including stars from women's and men's sports such as softball, gymnastics, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and football.
Jordy Bahl, a national champion pitcher multiple times over, shared her enthusiasm, expressing, "It is an honor to have some of my most cherished softball moments immortalized in these trading cards. I am eager to share them with my family, friends, fans, and all those who have followed my journey."
Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck, emphasized the significance of these NIL agreements, stating, "By providing avenues for these talented players to establish their personal brand value early on, we are not only fostering equal opportunities for men and women in underrepresented sports but also recognizing their substantial contributions to their schools. We look forward to placing these special initial career moments into the hands of collectors and fans."
Jim Neish, Vice President of Licensing and Business Development at The Brandr Group, chimed in, saying, "Teaming up with Upper Deck means bestowing well-deserved recognition upon numerous outstanding collegiate athletes, regardless of their sport. These trading cards will elevate these players' profiles and pave the way for them to become celebrated student-athletes or attain illustrious professional careers."
The eagerly awaited Upper Deck World of Sports Volume 1 Trading Card Set will soon be available for purchase at local hobby shops, retailers, and online platforms. Stay updated on the latest news and releases by visiting UpperDeck.com.
Source
Comments