PANINI AMERICA ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE AUTOGRAPH TRADING CARD DEAL WITH DETROIT LIONS AND NFL STAR AIDAN HUTCHINSON
Irving, TX – October 8, 2024 – Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company and the exclusive trading card partner of the NFL and NFLPA, announced today an exclusive autograph trading card deal with Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, one of the NFL’s most dynamic young players. It marks the first time that Panini has signed an exclusive agreement with a defensive player. The exclusive, multi-year agreement entails autographed trading cards, packaging highlights and marketing activation elements. In addition, Panini will work with Hutchinson to support some of his charitable initiatives.
Hutchinson will be featured in Panini’s full line of NFL and Collegiate cards, including on Panini’s Instant Card platform, which celebrates outstanding players and performances following each week’s games during the NFL season.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft following an All-American career at the University of Michigan, Hutchinson has quickly made his mark in the NFL as an elite pass-rusher. He was an All-Rookie selection in 2022, and last season collected 11.5 sacks in earning his first Pro Bowl nod while helping to lead the Lions to their first NFC Championship game in more than 30 years. Hutchinson, who is serving as one of the Lions’ captains for the 2024 season, is off to a sizzling start, having been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September after racking up a league-leading 6.5 sacks through just four games.
“Aidan is one of the NFL’s most electric players on the field, his energy and the way he plays resonates with all fans,” said Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America. “Having worked with Aidan going back to when he entered the League till now and watching as he has continued to evolve – we knew he was a natural fit for an exclusive relationship. We expect that his cards will be in high demand.”
“Since coming into the League, Panini has been a great partner of mine,” Hutchinson said. “As a kid, you always dream of having your own trading card. Panini has established itself as the market leader with some of their most popular brands, and the creativity of their designs are really cool – like Kaboom. It’s great to know that my fans will be able to collect my autograph trading cards in such great products.”
About Panini America
Panini America is a subsidiary of The Panini Group, established over 60 years ago in Modena, Italy with subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States. Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectibles and is the most significant publisher of collectibles in the U.S., with official licenses for NFL, NFLPA, NBA, NBPA, NASCAR, FIFA, LIV Golf, WWE, the Professional Fighters League, College, Disney, and other key properties from many other licensors. Panini is also the exclusive trading card and sticker partner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Elite 11 and Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.
Panini has distribution channels in more than 150 countries and employs a staff of over 1,200. For more information visit us at www.paniniamerica.net, www.paninigroup.com or
http://blog.paniniamerica.net/. You can also follow Panini America on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
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