Upper Deck, a renowned name in sports collectibles, has forged new licensing partnerships with The Brandr Group and CLC, marking a significant step in the creation of a revolutionary trading card line focused on college athletes. This collaboration sets the stage for the launch of the World of Sports™ Volume 1 Trading Card Set, designed to shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of a wide array of student-athletes from various colleges nationwide.
The upcoming trading card set will showcase talents from prestigious programs like the record-breaking University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team and the back-to-back national champion University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill field hockey team. The lineup will feature athletes from numerous officially licensed college programs under CLC, representing over 600 top universities across the nation.
With a history spanning over 35 years, Upper Deck has established itself as a trailblazer in producing top-quality trading cards and memorabilia for professional athletes in diverse sports. Through these newly inked NIL-focused agreements, Upper Deck now ventures into creating trading cards that highlight the name, image, likeness, and autographs of emerging college sports stars. This inclusive approach encompasses talents from men’s and women’s sports like softball, gymnastics, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and football.
Multiple-time national champion pitcher, Jordy Bahl, expressed her enthusiasm for this groundbreaking initiative: “It is truly an honor to see some of my most cherished moments in softball captured in these trading cards. I am eagerly looking forward to sharing these with my loved ones, fans, and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey.”
Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck, emphasized the significance of these NIL agreements by stating, “These partnerships not only create opportunities for these talented athletes to build their personal brand early on but also foster gender equality by recognizing the tremendous achievements of male and female athletes in less represented sports. We are excited to bring these significant early career moments into the hands of collectors and fans.”
Jim Neish, Vice President of Licensing and Business Development at The Brandr Group, echoed these sentiments by highlighting the impact of working with Upper Deck in elevating the profiles of countless collegiate athletes. These trading cards are envisioned to propel the players’ recognition to new heights, regardless of the sports they excel in, setting the stage for potential future success in their athletic endeavors.
The Upper Deck World of Sports Volume 1 Trading Card Set will be available for purchase at local hobby shops, retailers, and online platforms. Collectors and sports enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on the official Upper Deck website, as anticipation builds for the release of this milestone trading card collection.
