The trading card industry has taken a significant step forward with Panini America announcing that WNBA players will now be included in its long-running Player of the Day program. Traditionally, the program has highlighted NBA and NFL stars, but this marks the first time women’s basketball athletes will be featured, signaling the growing popularity and market power of the WNBA.
For collectors and fans, this move is not only about securing a rare card but also about being part of a broader cultural shift. The WNBA, celebrating record-breaking viewership and unprecedented merchandise sales, has been carving out a strong identity in the sports collectibles market. Now, Panini’s decision to integrate WNBA stars into one of its most popular programs underscores how far women’s sports have come in gaining mainstream recognition.
How the Program Works
From September through November, collectors can participate at one of 500 participating hobby stores across the country. The mechanics of the program are simple yet engaging:
Fans visit one of the listed shops.
Each participant receives a Panini Player of the Day pack.
If the player pulled from the pack matches the official “Player of the Day” listed on Panini’s calendar, that collector wins.
Beyond the daily thrill of winning, the program offers a deeper level of excitement. Weekly drawings and a grand-prize sweepstakes provide even bigger rewards. Grand-prize winners at each store will take home a signed Panini WNBA Player of the Day card and will also be entered into a national sweepstakes.
The national grand prize is especially enticing. One lucky winner will secure a Collector Fantasy Experience that includes a meet-and-greet with a WNBA player, a private party hosted at their local card shop, signed memorabilia, and additional Panini products. This experiential element highlights how the program goes beyond simple card collecting — it builds a personal connection between athletes and fans.
Panini’s Growing WNBA Portfolio
This announcement isn’t happening in isolation. Panini has been steadily expanding its WNBA card offerings, introducing at least five new products this year alone. The company clearly recognizes the rising demand for women’s basketball collectibles.
“Hobby shop owners and collectors began asking us last year when we would bring the Player of the Day promotion to the WNBA,” said Jason Howarth, vice president of marketing for Panini, in a release. “This launch gives us a unique way to reward hobby shops and collectors and celebrate the incredible popularity of the WNBA and Panini WNBA Trading Cards.”
That popularity has been fueled by a mix of young stars, veteran icons, and a growing collector base eager to invest in women’s sports.
The Rising Market for WNBA Cards
The collectibles market has seen explosive growth around women’s basketball, with WNBA cards now rivaling some of the biggest men’s sports cards in terms of value. Caitlin Clark’s rookie cards, in particular, have shattered expectations. In July, a 2024 Panini Flawless Logowoman patch autograph sold for an astonishing $660,000. Just a month later, a 2024 National Treasures Logowoman patch autograph went for $504,000.
These figures are not isolated spikes — more than 10 different Clark cards have sold for six figures. The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) reported that it has graded triple the number of women’s basketball cards in 2025 compared to the same time last year. This dramatic rise shows how collectors and investors are recognizing both the athletic achievements of WNBA stars and the long-term value of their trading cards.
But Clark isn’t the only athlete driving this momentum. Cards featuring Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, and Cameron Brink are also generating significant buzz. These names represent not just current stars but also the future of the league, making them prime inclusions for Panini’s Player of the Day program.
Why This Matters
The decision to integrate WNBA players into Panini’s signature promotional campaign is about more than just expanding a product line. It’s a symbolic validation of women’s basketball as a cultural and economic force in the sports industry.
For decades, trading cards were dominated by men’s sports, leaving women athletes underrepresented in the hobby. By creating programs that showcase female athletes in the same light as their male counterparts, Panini is helping shift the perception of sports collectibles. It opens the door for young fans — particularly young girls — to see their favorite players featured prominently in stores across the country.
Moreover, this program connects the rising interest in women’s basketball with the grassroots culture of card collecting. Hobby stores, often community-driven spaces, serve as the backbone of the trading card industry. Bringing WNBA athletes into this environment ensures that the sport continues to gain traction not just in arenas but in everyday conversations among collectors and fans.
With the WNBA playoffs approaching, the timing of this launch could not be better. Fan engagement is at its peak, and interest in trading cards is following that upward trajectory. The Player of the Day program has the potential to draw new collectors into the hobby while rewarding existing fans with exciting opportunities to celebrate their favorite athletes.
As women’s sports continue to break records in viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales, initiatives like Panini’s ensure that this momentum extends into the collectibles industry. The addition of WNBA stars to the Player of the Day program may one day be seen as a pivotal moment in the growth of women’s basketball’s cultural footprint.
For collectors, fans, and the athletes themselves, this is more than just a marketing campaign — it’s proof that the WNBA has officially arrived as a powerhouse in the trading card world.
