The 32nd annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere is set to take place in Los Angeles, California from May 14-16, and the Chicago Bears will be represented by one of their new wide receivers at the event.
The team’s third round pick out of Mississippi State, Zavion Thomas, has been announced as one of the 42 rookies who will be attending the event.
The wide-ranging event features trading card photo shoots with Topps, business education classes for the players, as well as autograph sessions and content creation
opportunities. Fanatics and EA Sports will be at the event, as well as New Era, Gatorade, Microsoft, and many others, allowing the new players to network in a business setting for the first time since entering the league.
Per the NFLPA, “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.”
In regards to business development, the PA’s description says that it is “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.”
Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III both attended last year’s rookie premiere event, while Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze attended in 2024.
