The Rise of College & NIL Cards — and Why ONIT Athlete Is Leading the Wave

College and NIL trading cards are quickly becoming one of the most exciting and fast-growing segments of the hobby, and ONIT Athlete is at the center of this shift. In August 2024, ONIT entered a multiyear partnership with OneTeam Partners to produce officially licensed trading cards for thousands of student-athletes, giving collectors access to legitimate, school-branded cards long before players go pro.(OneTeam Partners Announcement)

During the 2023–24 season, ONIT Athlete produced sets for 111 college teams across 40 universities, covering 4,545 athletes—a level of coverage unmatched by any other trading-card company. In fact, ONIT printed cards for more current collegiate athletes than the combined set lists of all other companies that season.(Sports Collectors Daily Report)

ONIT also made a direct financial impact on athletes by issuing over $1.6 million in NIL royalties in Fall 2023 alone, demonstrating the emerging economic power of licensed college cards.(ONIT Athlete NIL Royalty Report)

With official licensing, athlete compensation, and historical “first appearance” potential, ONIT Athlete is elevating NIL cards from niche collectibles into a meaningful, mainstream category of the hobby—one that gives collectors a chance to catch future stars before the world does.

Key Takeaways

• ONIT Athlete now produces officially licensed college/NIL cards.

• Over 4,500 student-athletes appeared in ONIT sets last season.

• ONIT paid $1.6M to athletes in NIL royalties in Fall 2023.

• Their licensing deal massively expands athlete representation.

Why This Matters

• Collectors can obtain legitimate cards before players turn pro.

• NIL agreements ensure athletes are financially supported.

• “First appearance” cards gain historical and market relevance.

• College fandom creates a huge built-in collector base.

Collector Impact

• More athletes = more sleepers and long-term prospects.

• ONIT’s low print runs and licensed branding boost collectibility.

• Cards may appreciate when players become breakout pros.

What to Watch

• Hot rookies and rising college stars

• Campus-specific inserts

• Grading trends for early ONIT issues