Panini and USA Baseball Extend Licensing Deal, Bringing More Teams and Memorabilia Into the Spotlight
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Panini America and USA Baseball have announced a new chapter in their long-standing collaboration, marking the third extension of their exclusive agreement that first began in 2012. The latest deal expands Panini’s rights to produce trading cards for all USA Baseball teams, while introducing additional memorabilia and a wider range of athletes to collectors.
Under the renewed partnership, Panini will continue to have exclusive access to athletes from the Collegiate National Team, as well as the 18U and 15U squads. For the first time, the agreement also includes rights to the 12U National Team, whose alumni already include emerging stars like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Paul Skenes, and Anthony Volpe.
Another major addition is the inclusion of the Women’s National Team, allowing Panini to produce trading cards spotlighting female players—something not previously offered in the brand’s lineup. This change represents a significant shift toward greater inclusivity and broader representation of USA Baseball's diverse athlete base.
Panini Instant, the brand’s real-time card release platform, is also getting involved. For the first time, national team performances will be featured through limited-run cards available directly to fans as key moments happen. These print-on-demand cards are only available for a short window and highlight standout plays, performances, and milestones.
The updated deal also enhances Panini’s involvement in the annual Golden Spikes Award. Following their presence at last year’s College World Series, Panini will again distribute exclusive trading card packs in Omaha ahead of the 2025 award presentation on June 21.
Fans attending national team games this summer will notice a new addition to the field: Panini-branded on-deck circles at the National Training Complex. These field-used items won’t just serve a decorative purpose—they’re slated to be repurposed as collectible memorabilia inserts in upcoming trading card sets, joining player-worn jerseys that already feature the Panini logo.
Since forming their partnership, USA Baseball and Panini have helped bring attention to hundreds of top-tier prospects. A total of 212 USA Baseball alumni have been selected in the first round of the MLB Draft during that time, including ten who went No. 1 overall. The full history of USA Baseball includes 586 first-round picks and 36 players selected first overall who have worn the red, white, and blue.
As the collaboration continues, collectors can expect more products that blend cutting-edge design with unique pieces of the game’s future.
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