NFLPA Brings Together 42 Rookies for Business, Content and Brand Building at 32nd Annual Rookie Premiere Presented by Topps
The next class of marketable stars, including Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Ty Simpson, enters a three-day commercial launchpad built to connect players, partners, and fans.
LOS ANGELES — The NFL Players Association and NFL Players Inc. will host 42 rookies from the 2026 Draft at the 32nd annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere presented by Topps, on May 14-16 in Los Angeles. Rookie Premiere serves as the first organized entry point into the business of professional football where player identity, content, and commercial opportunity begin to scale.
Highlighting the class is Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles, Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq, Giants linebacker Arvell Reese, and Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon among the 42 players participating. The full roster of rookies can be found here.
Across three days, rookies will participate in trading card photoshoots, autograph signings, jersey unveilings, and a full slate of content creation sessions, while also taking part in business orientation led by union leadership focused on group licensing, personal brand development, and long-term income opportunities. The event brings together the NFL’s top incoming talent with leading brands, licensees, and media partners to build early relationships that extend well beyond the field.
Partners engage through two core lanes: content creation and product engagement. Content partners, including Fanatics, Topps, EA Sports, Procter & Gamble, Funko, NFL Digital Media, New Era, and Microsoft, work directly with players to capture custom creative that fuels campaigns throughout the season. Product and activation partners—including Gatorade, Pepsi, SONY, Oakley, DNA Vibe, GLD, Pro Standard, Elevate Jet, EXOS, and TikTok—will deliver dynamic, hands‑on experiences designed to drive meaningful brand engagement.
For the second consecutive year, live tapings of the St. Brown Podcast will feature candid conversations between rookies and NFL veterans Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown, offering an unfiltered look at the transition into the league and the business that surrounds it.
“NFLPA Rookie Premiere is where the business of the NFL starts to take shape for these players,” said Matt Curtin, president of NFL Players Inc. “It’s not just about visibility, it’s about access. Our partners aren’t meeting prospects; they’re building campaigns and business with future leaders of the game. This class already understands their growing influence and value. Our role is to help scale it.”
As the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA, NFL Players Inc. represents the group rights of more than 2,000 active players, building partnerships across consumer products, gaming, media, and sponsorship. Rookie Premiere remains a key entry point into that ecosystem, connecting partners with the league’s most marketable new talent as their careers begin. Since 1994, it has served as a launchpad for players and partners, turning early access into long term relationships and sustained commercial growth. Follow @NFLPA and #RookiePremiere for real time coverage and behind the scenes access.
###
About the NFL Players Association
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the NFL and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of protecting the health, safety and financial future of its more than 2,000 player members, who are the backbone of North America’s most popular and highest revenue-generating sport. Through a wide offering of programs, resources and engagement opportunities, the NFLPA provides world-class service to players throughout their career lifecycle and builds solidarity to advocate on their behalf in the areas of healthcare, revenue, compensation and working conditions. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 season. Learn more at nflpa.com.
About NFL Players Inc.
NFL Players Inc., the marketing and licensing arm of the NFL Players Association, connects businesses to the authenticity, reach and influence of NFL players. Managing the commercial rights of more than 2,000 active players, it supports over 150 partners including licensees, sponsors, and media platforms across e-commerce, retail, digital, and direct-to-consumer channels. As the NFLPA’s for-profit business, NFL Players Inc. drives growth through group licensing, player activations and brand collaborations that bring fans closer to the game. By aligning the interests of players, fans, and partners, it ensures NFL players remain at the center of the business of football. Learn more at nflpa.com/partners/players-inc.