NFL rookies have had a lot to learn since they arrived at their respective team facilities, and it's not all been based around a playbook. They've also had to learn about the business side of the sport.
Forty-one of the league's top rookies from the 2016 NFL Draft class – including Redskins wide receiver Josh Doctson - will come together and learn more at the 22nd annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere, presented by Panini America, which will be held in Los Angeles from May 19-21.
More than 20 NFLPA business partners will be available to meet with the athletes and help them develop their professional off-field careers and personal brands. The three-day event is hosted by the NFLPA, via its marketing and licensing arm, NFL Players Inc.
"NFLPA Rookie Premiere is one of the most important events that we participate in annually, as it helps us set the stage for our entire football trading card products that we will release over the next 15 months," said Mark Warsop, Panini America CEO. "Serving for the first time as the NFLPA's exclusive trading card partner and presenting sponsor provides us with more opportunities than ever to execute a series of unique activations throughout the event, and create our best-ever product assortment for the new season."
Athlete Content & Entertainment (ACE Media), the athlete-driven content and programming business, who recently partnered up with the NFLPA, will be on site to produce various segments and series with distribution partners such as 120 Sports, Bleacher Report, The Players' Tribune and The Kicker.
One of the really cool moments during the event will be when the rookies get to put on their official Nike team uniforms for the first time during a photo shoot at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with the NFLPA's exclusive trading card licensee, Panini America.
"NFLPA Rookie Premiere presents an unparalleled opportunity for our partners to interact with the promising young marketing stars entering the league," said Ahmad Nassar, president of NFL Players Inc. "Learning about the business and benefits of their union as the players plan for their new career is a tremendous advantage. Showcasing their personalities and passions allow us to connect the right players with the right brands to tell their stories, and only adds to what the NFLPA does day after day."
Some of the other notable rookies that will be attending the NFLPA Rookie Premiere are Rams quarterback Jared Goff, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa, Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, Texans wide receiver Will Fuller, Titans running back Derrick Henry, Jets' quarterback Christian Hackenberg, Ravens wide receiver Keenan Reynolds and Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller.
Last year, Redskins running back Rob Kelley was a participant.
Fans can follow Twitter (@NFLPA and @NFLPlayersInc), Facebook (NFL Players Association), Instagram (@NFLPA) and NFLPA Snapchat stories, and via #RookiePremiere for updates, photos, video and news throughout the 2016 NFLPA Rookie Premiere.
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