Panini America Trading Card Photo Shoot in Official Nike Team Uniforms
Forty-one top rookies from the 2016 NFL Draft class will gather in Los Angeles from May 19-21 to learn the business of football at the 22nd annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere, presented by Panini America. More than 20 NFLPA business partners will be on site to engage with the newest group of promising NFL stars to secure endorsement deals, create unique brand content and promote product lines through the utilization of NFL group player rights.
The multi-day event is hosted by the NFLPA, via its marketing and licensing arm, NFL Players Inc. The 2016 NFLPA Rookie Premiere will also feature one of the most anticipated moments for the rookies – donning their official Nike team uniforms for the first time during a photo shoot at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with the NFLPA’s exclusive trading card licensee, Panini America.
“NFLPA Rookie Premiere is one of the most important events that we participate in annually, as it helps us set the stage for our entire football trading card products that we will release over the next 15 months,” Mark Warsop, Panini America CEO said. “Serving for the first time as the NFLPA’s exclusive trading card partner and presenting sponsor provides us with more opportunities than ever to execute a series of unique activations throughout the event, and create our best-ever product assortment for the new season.”
The roster of NFLPA partners activating at the 2016 NFLPA Rookie Premiere includes Panini America, Fanatics, Nike, EA SPORTS, The Brandr Group, Topps NFL Huddle, Delta Private Jets, FedEx, New Era, Samsung, élevée, Staramba, Gatorade, Proctor & Gamble brands and Frito-Lay.
NFLPA Rookie Premiere is the first major business event following the NFL Draft, where players will gain insight and connections that will assist in the development of their professional off-field careers and personal brands.
“NFLPA Rookie Premiere presents an unparalleled opportunity for our partners to interact with the promising young marketing stars entering the league,” said Ahmad Nassar, president of NFL Players Inc. “Learning about the business and benefits of their union as the players plan for their new career is a tremendous advantage. Showcasing their personalities and passions allows us to connect the right players with the right brands to tell their stories, and only adds to what the NFLPA does day after day.”
Among the rookies participating are Jared Goff (California, Los Angeles Rams), Carson Wentz (North Dakota State, Philadelphia Eagles), Joey Bosa (Ohio State, San Diego Chargers), Corey Coleman (Baylor, Cleveland Browns), Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State, Dallas Cowboys), Laquon Treadwell (Mississippi, Minnesota Vikings), Will Fuller (Notre Dame, Houston Texans), Derrick Henry (Alabama, Tennessee Titans), Christian Hackenberg (Penn State, New York Jets), Keenan Reynolds (US Naval Academy, Baltimore Ravens) and Braxton Miller (Ohio State, Houston Texans).
Launched in Los Angeles in 1994, NFLPA Rookie Premiere is the first-of-its kind event across professional sports, providing business partners with unparalleled early access to the newest crop of the NFL’s most promising and marketable stars. Each year, the NFLPA facilitates more than 100 individual player service deals for Rookie Premiere participants. The event also generates numerous business opportunities for current and former players.
