One of the most recognizable names in college football just picked a new card company. On Sept. 3, On3 reported that Texas quarterback Arch Manning signed an exclusive NIL partnership with Topps covering trading cards and autographs.
The deal
Here's what was reported:
- The partnership is exclusive for trading cards and autographs.
- Manning's first autographs with Topps are set to arrive this fall as part of Bowman Football.
- Financial terms weren't disclosed.
The move is a switch. Manning's first NIL agreement at Texas was a trading card deal with Panini America, which later expanded to memorabilia in 2025, per On3. Sports Illustrated noted that Topps was acquired by Fanatics in 2021 and has been growing its market share through official licenses with pro leagues, while expanding its football offerings to college prospects like Manning.
The bigger picture on Manning's NIL
On3 lists Manning with a $2.5 million NIL valuation and reports he's believed to earn roughly that amount annually across his deals, which also include Warby Parker, Red Bull and Google Gemini. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has said Manning "could have dragged us over the coals for six million, seven million, whatever he wanted," per On3, but took a more measured approach that let the program invest elsewhere on the roster.
Why collectibles matter
Trading cards are one of the oldest ways fans connect with athletes, and they've become one of the most natural NIL categories. A card is something a fan can actually own. An autograph makes it personal. And a limited release creates the kind of urgency that turns casual interest into a purchase.
That's why card deals are such a natural fit for high-profile players. For fans, there are a few things worth keeping in mind:
- Exclusive means exclusive. An exclusive autograph deal generally points new official signed cards toward one partner. Cards from a previous partner don't disappear, but the new deal shapes what comes next.
- Early cards matter. For a player still in college, a first run of licensed autographs is the kind of release collectors pay attention to.
- Licensing matters. Official products tied to an athlete's NIL deal are the ones that carry the athlete's approval. That's part of what fans are paying for.
Beyond the superstars
Most college athletes won't get an exclusive deal with a major card company. But the instinct behind the card business, fans wanting something personal and collectible from an athlete they follow, applies to everybody on a roster. Digital collectibles, personalized video and exclusive content tap into that same impulse at a scale that works for a starting quarterback and a backup long snapper alike.
Manning's deal is a headline because of who he is. The underlying trend is bigger than one player: fans want to own a piece of the athletes they cheer for, and athletes are increasingly the ones deciding who gets to sell it.