Draft Diamonds and Panini America Announce Official Collaboration for 2025 Panini Absolute Football Card Set

Leesburg, Florida: Draft Diamonds LLC., a trusted platform dedicated to spotlighting under-the-radar football talent since 2013, is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with Panini America, one of the premier names in sports trading cards and collectibles. The partnership will be showcased in this year’s Panini Absolute Football Card Set, marking the first time that Draft Diamonds has been officially integrated into a Panini product line.

This collaboration comes after open dialogue between Draft Diamonds founder Damond Talbot and Robert Hull, CFO of Panini America, regarding the use of the term Draft Diamonds in previous Panini football card releases. While early discussions centered on protecting Draft Diamonds’ registered trademark, both sides quickly found common ground — turning what could have been a legal dispute into a unique partnership celebrating shared passion for the game and its players.

“If you don’t fight for your trademark, you lose it,” said Talbot. “But this wasn’t about conflict — it was about recognition. I’ve been building Draft Diamonds since 2013 to help small-school and overlooked athletes get their shot. When Robert Hull reached out, he wanted to make things right and find a way to collaborate. Together, we decided to create something special.”

The 2025 Draft Diamonds x Panini America collaboration highlights 25 handpicked players who embody the spirit of perseverance and hard work that Draft Diamonds has always championed. Each featured player, from breakout stars like Isiah Pacheco, Tyrone Tracy and Christian Benford, all Hula Bowl alumni discovered by Draft Diamonds, to established talents like Maxx Crosby and Alex Highsmith, represents the heart of the brand’s mission: uncovering hidden gems in football.

Every card in this exclusive set features:

• The Draft Diamonds logo on the back, symbolizing the partnership’s authenticity.
• Custom-written player stories crafted personally by the Draft Diamonds team.
• Fifteen unique Jersey cards celebrating standout Draft Diamonds alumni.

“Panini has been incredible to work with,” Talbot added. “This partnership gives us the chance to put our stamp on something we love, “football cards” while introducing our brand to collectors around the world. We’re thrilled that fans will now be able to see our logo and know we played a real role in these players’ stories.”

Panini America and Draft Diamonds plan to continue building on this partnership in future releases, expanding opportunities to recognize and honor players who have defied the odds to reach the professional level.

For collectors, athletes, and fans alike, the 2025 Panini Absolute Football Draft Diamonds Set represents more than a collaboration, it’s a celebration of the journey, the grind, and the discovery of true talent.