Upper Deck, a household name in the sports collectibles realm, has made waves once again with its latest announcement of groundbreaking licensing agreements. Teaming up with The Brandr Group, a prominent student-athlete NIL representation agency, and CLC, the leading collegiate brand licensing company, Upper Deck is set to revolutionize the world of trading cards by introducing a new line that shines the spotlight on emerging college athletes across a plethora of sports.
The much-anticipated Upper Deck World of Sports™ Volume 1 Trading Card Set aims to honor the accomplishments of student-athletes from various colleges nationwide. From the powerhouse University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team, famous for its unparalleled attendance records, to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s dominant field hockey squad, claiming consecutive national titles, this set will feature a diverse array of athletes from officially licensed college programs under CLC, representing over 600 top universities in the country.
Having been a trailblazer in producing top-notch trading cards and memorabilia for professional athletes spanning different sports for over three decades, Upper Deck is now venturing into the realm of college athletics with these new NIL-focused agreements. This initiative will allow the company to create trading cards that not only showcase the names, images, and autographs of up-and-coming college stars but also celebrate athletes across women’s and men’s sports like softball, gymnastics, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and football.
Sharing her enthusiasm for this venture, Jordy Bahl, a multiple-time national champion pitcher, expressed her delight at the prospect of her softball journey being immortalized in these trading cards. “It is a privilege to have some of my sweetest memories in the game of softball immortalized in these trading cards. I cannot wait to share them with my family and loved ones, along with fans and other people who have followed my journey,” she remarked.
President of Upper Deck, Jason Masherah, emphasized the significance of these new NIL agreements, stating, “We are not only providing opportunities for these talented players to establish their personal brand value at an early stage but also championing equality between men and women in underrepresented sports who bring considerable success to their schools and deserve recognition for it. We are eager to deliver these special early moments of their careers into the hands of collectors and fans.”
Jim Neish, Vice President of Licensing and Business Development at The Brandr Group, also weighed in on the collaboration, noting, “Partnering with Upper Deck means offering numerous world-class collegiate athletes the acknowledgment they deserve, irrespective of the sport they engage in. These trading cards will elevate these players’ profiles to new heights, whether they carve a niche as some of the greatest student-athletes or forge illustrious professional careers.”
The highly anticipated Upper Deck World of Sports Volume 1 Trading Card Set will soon be accessible for purchase at local hobby shops, retailers, and online platforms. Fans and collectors alike are encouraged to stay updated with the latest developments on UpperDeck.com for further details and release dates.