Panini America announced yesterday that it has reached a long-term agreement with the National Football League and NFL Players Association granting the company rights for up to 18 product releases annually.

“We’re pleased to continue our relationship with the NFL and the NFLPA,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “The NFL and NFLPA are two of our most important licensors, and these new agreements will enable us to continue producing sought after products for NFL fans for years to come.”

The new agreement takes effect immediately and will be incorporated into Panini America’s first NFL product of the season, 2012 Prestige Football. This upcoming product will feature the first licensed NFL Rookie Cards of prospects such as Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Justin Blackmon, and Trent Richardson.

“We are pleased to continue working with Panini America to offer our fans more ways to connect with the NFL and the players they love,” said Leo Kane, NFL Senior Vice President of Consumer Products. “Panini America has been – and will continue to be – a great teammate for the NFL.”

“The NFLPA is pleased to extend our partnership with Panini America, a proven industry leader and innovator of NFL player trading cards,” said Keith Gordon, President of NFL PLAYERS INC.