Upper Deck, a renowned player in the sports collectibles industry, has recently inked licensing deals with The Brandr Group, a leading NIL representation agency for student-athletes, and CLC, a prominent collegiate brand licensing company. This exciting alliance sets the stage for the launch of an unprecedented trading card collection that shines a spotlight on a wide array of college athletes from various sports disciplines.
The latest venture from Upper Deck, the World of Sports™ Volume 1 Trading Card Set, aims to honor the accomplishments of student-athletes representing colleges nationwide. Among the featured programs are the illustrious University of Nebraska women’s volleyball squad, celebrated for its record-breaking fan attendance, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s dominant field hockey team, boasting consecutive national championship titles. The set is set to showcase athletes from numerous officially licensed college programs under CLC, which encompasses more than 600 top-tier universities.
With a rich legacy spanning 35 years in producing top-notch trading cards and memorabilia for professional athletes across diverse sports, Upper Deck now ventures into the realm of college athletics with a fresh focus on name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. This pioneering move enables Upper Deck to create trading cards featuring emerging college athletes’ signatures and personal brand elements, encompassing a broad spectrum of sports like softball, gymnastics, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and football.
Jordy Bahl, a standout pitcher with multiple national championships to her name, shared her enthusiasm for this unique opportunity: “Having my cherished softball moments enshrined in these trading cards is truly special. I look forward to sharing them with my family, fans, and supporters who have followed my journey.”
Jason Masherah, the President of Upper Deck, emphasized the significance of these NIL partnerships: “Beyond merely providing a platform for talented players to establish their personal brands early on, we are advocating for gender equality by recognizing the achievements of men and women in underrepresented sports. These athletes, who bring immense glory to their universities, deserve to be acknowledged and rewarded. We eagerly anticipate placing these pivotal moments of their careers into the hands of collectors and fans alike.”
Jim Neish, the Vice President of Licensing and Business Development at The Brandr Group, underlined the impact of this collaboration: “Teaming up with Upper Deck means offering countless exceptional collegiate athletes the recognition they merit, irrespective of their sport. These trading cards will elevate these players’ profiles, whether they carve their names as elite student-athletes or progress to notable professional careers.”
The release of the Upper Deck World of Sports Volume 1 Trading Card Set is anticipated to roll out in local hobby shops, retailers, and online platforms. For the latest updates, stay tuned to UpperDeck.com for more details on this groundbreaking collection.
