Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA — just like her influence as college basketball’s all-time Division I all-time leading scorer — continues to grow. And Panini America is capitalizing on Clark’s popularity with a new product that hit the trading card company’s website and Target stores nationwide on Monday.
The Caitlin Clark Collection features key moments in her career to date. A box will include six packs, with four cards to a pack.
The product will expand to other retailers including Walmart, Hy-Vee, Rally House, Scheels and Panini Direct hobby shops.
The checklist is focused on Clark’s career at Iowa.
Inserts include College Contenders, Reigning 3’s, Crunch Time, School Colors and Campus Legends and Record Breaker, which commemorates the moment that Clark passed Pete Maravich to become the NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader. The University of Iowa star, a two-time NCAA player of the year, connected on a pair of free throws against Ohio State to pass Pistol Pete in early May.
On Campus is an insert set exclusive to the $29.99 boxes sold at Target stores.
Autographed cards will also be possible.
“The launch of the Caitlin Clark Collection is another milestone for Panini and celebrates an athlete who has had a profound impact on and off the basketball court,” Jason Howarth, Panini America’s senior vice president of marketing and athletic relations, said in a statement. “We think that fans will love the cards in this collection, and as she continues in her professional career, we look forward to expanding our offerings featuring Caitlin.”
In March, Clark became the first female athlete to enter an exclusive partnership with Panini for trading cards and autographed memorabilia. Former LSU star Angel Reese was the second player to sign with Panini, inking a multiyear deal in April.
The first pick of the WNBA draft his year by the Indiana Fever, Clark has already made an impact. On June 27, she became the fastest player to compile more than 300 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists, achieving the feat in her first 19 games in the league. Despite an 89-77 loss to the Seattle Storm, Clark had 308 points, 126 assists and 104 rebounds through the first 19 games of her rookie season.
Clark also joined her idol, Maya Moore, as a two-time winner of the Honda Cup, earning the award for the second straight year on June 24. She joins Moore (2010, 2011), Tracy Caulkins (1982, 1984) and Rachel Garcia (2019, 2021) as the only athletes to win the honor.
The Honda Cup recognizes NCAA women’s athletes for ability in their sport, but also for leadership, academic excellence and community service. Clark is the 18th basketball player to win the honor.
While Clark’s records in college and pro basketball have been impressive, she is also making her mark in the collectibles market.
Immediately following the WNBA Draft, Panini brought in a six-figure tally from her first professional cards.
A Panini Instant Blue Viper 1/1 card sold for $24,921 at auction from Panini’s website on May 21, making it the highest-selling publicly traded WNBA card.
In January, a PSA 10 version of a 2022 Bowman University Superfractor 1/1 autographed card of Clark sold for $78,000 at PWCC Marketplace.
Panini’s announcement on Monday was another milestone for fans who want to collect Clark’s cards. It is a dream scenario that is not lost on the rookie guard.
“To be able to have my own trading card set that celebrates my time at Iowa and those special moments as a kid when I fell in love with the game of basketball is special,” Clark remarked. “Knowing that basketball fans everywhere, especially young girls and boys, will be able to collect these cards is humbling.”
