Former Penn State running back and top NFL draft prospect, Saquon Barkley, has signed an exclusive agreement with Panini America for trading cards and memorabilia. Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company will release Barkley’s first NFL trading and autograph cards in April through Panini Authentic.
Although he hasn’t yet played a down in the NFL (he doesn’t even know what team he’ll be suiting up for), his first licensed cards honor his headline-grabbing performance at the 2018 NFL Combine. When released on Panini Instant, the company’s on-demand platform, the collection sold out within hours. Once released in April, Barkley will headline Panini America’s 2018 NFL product line.
The exclusive deal was negotiated by his agency, Roc Nation Sports. He joins three other NFL players to become a member of Panini Authentic: Andrew Luck, and fellow RNS clients Dez Bryant and Leonard Fournette.
“Saquon Barkley is a franchise-type talent that promises to be one of the first players selected in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft. We’re thrilled to partner with him in such a meaningful way as he begins his NFL career,” said Mark Warsop, Panini America CEO. “Fans and collectors almost instantly devoured his first Panini America trading cards on the Panini Instant platform. That demand is certain to increase throughout his rookie season. Barkley will absolutely be a key driver for our NFL business in 2018.”
As one of the most electrifying players in college football during his time in Happy Valley, Barkley ran for more than 3,800 yards and 43 touchdowns while hauling in 102 passes for 1,195 yards and eight touchdowns. He is the top-rated running back in the draft and a projected top-10 pick. At RNS, he joins LA Rams running back Todd Gurley III who was also a top-10 pick.