News

From LSU's Livvy Dunne to UConn's Paige Bueckers, female athletes continue to dominate the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space, and now they're making waves in the trading card world. Leaf Trading Cards has just launched its groundbreaking 2024 Leaf Metal Women of Sport collection, celebrating iconic female athletes from past, present, and future generations—a first for the trading card hobby.

This collection shines a spotlight on some of the most influential women in sports, including autograph sets such as Herstory, She Got Game, Starstruck, Dazzlers, Unbreakable Duals, and Anime Nation. These cards feature an exciting mix of legendary athletes like Mia Hamm, Alex Morgan, Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, Jennie Finch, and Doris Burke, alongside today’s NIL stars, such as LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, UConn basketball phenom Paige Bueckers, UCLA softball’s Maya Brady, and Clemson track star Makenzie Steele. The collection also highlights rising professional talents like Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, WNBA star Cameron Brink, and Diana Flores, a standout in Mexico’s flag football team.

Leaf's Director of Marketing and Licensing, CJ Breen, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, "Since joining Leaf Trading Cards, one of my top priorities has been to sign and recognize female athletes who have often been overlooked in the world of trading cards. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the entire Leaf team, we're bringing the spotlight that female athletes and collectors deserve to the forefront."

A standout in this collection is Duke freshman Toby Fournier, who is known for her viral dunking videos on social media. Fournier recently signed an exclusive deal with Leaf, becoming the only incoming freshman women's basketball player to do so.

Beyond individual cards, the collection features exciting combinations of stars, such as a grouping of U.S. soccer legends Hamm, Morgan, Smith, and Brandi Chastain, as well as a dynamic duo card featuring Brink and Bueckers. Notably, Bueckers also appears in a special animated card that pays homage to her All-American status at UConn.

Breen hopes this collection not only raises the profile of female athletes in the trading card world but also brings more inclusivity to the hobby. "My hope is that this product not only serves as a catalyst for greater inclusivity in the sports trading card hobby but also invites a new wave of collectors into the space. Because collecting cards should be fun and for everyone," Breen added.

With this launch, Leaf Trading Cards continues to lead the charge in celebrating female athletes and bridging the gap between the sports world and collectors, all while encouraging greater recognition for the achievements of women in sports.