NIL deal allows Michigan State players to be featured on officially licensed trading cards
The Players Trunk has released a set of limited edition officially licensed trading cards with 35 Michigan State football players. The cards are made possible through a NIL agreement with the players, The Players Trunk, Collegiate Licensing Company — Michigan State’s official licensing partner — and The Brandr Group.
The 36-card set includes projected starters, key reserves, top transfers and incoming freshmen.
On the offensive, the cards feature WR Jayden Reed, QB Payton Thorne and transfers TE Daniel Barker and RB Jarek Broussard. From the defense, featured players include S Xavier Henderson, LB Cal Haladay and DT Jacob Slade.
Plus, in true Spartan fashion, Sparty and Zeke the Wonder Dog also have a card.
‘Win-win deal’ for Michigan State athletes, school
Additionally, the deal for the trading cards was met with high praise from NIL observers.
“I love this co-branded NIL deal,” NIL expert Ryan Whelpley, an associate in the Corporate Practice Group at Morse in Waltham, Mass, said on social media. “Win-win for both athlete and school. Also, sports trading cards are the epitome of what NIL is intended to be.”
The cards feature photos from the 2021 season, the spring game in April and from 2022 Media Day. The cards are gloss UV coated on 16-point cardstock.
The series also comes with a few additional bells and whistles.
“A commemorative box will house the cards,” according to a news release from The Players Trunk. “The box converts to a pop-up trading card display, making it a perfect piece of memorabilia that can sit on any Spartan fan’s shelf, mantle or desk.”
The cards are available for purchase now and will be shipping mid to late September.
Furthermore, the Players Trunk will release additional Campus Collection officially licensed football and basketball team sets for other universities throughout the fall of 2022. A Michigan State 2022 Basketball set will be available in fall 2022.