Panini Blog The Panini Group Extends NBA Partnership with New Multiyear Exclusive Agreement

[Panini Blog]

The National Basketball Association and the Panini Group – the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company — today announced an extension of their partnership through a new multiyear agreement. Under the terms of the new agreement, Panini will continue to be the exclusive trading card and sticker partner for the NBA globally, expanding its current development and distribution of trading cards and products worldwide, with a particular focus on China.
The relationship will be managed by the Panini Group’s U.S. subsidiary, Panini America.
This renewal reinforces Panini’s unparalleled position as the only company in the world to manufacture official trading cards and stickers for the NBA, NFL, NFLPA, NHL, NHLPA, MLBPA, and FIFA World Cup. Panini’s array of NBA products, which include National Treasures and Prestige, is designed to attract new and existing collectors, and to establish a high-end marketplace for NBA trading cards and related products domestically and internationally.
“Our companies share a collective interest in promoting our brands worldwide,” said Sal Larocca, NBA Executive Vice President Global Merchandising Group. “Panini has continually demonstrated the ability and commitment to creating products that appeal to our fans on a global basis.”
“The popularity of the NBA game globally is unmatched and, with new NBA superstars emerging, it’s an exciting time to collect NBA trading cards, which are not only fun but highly sought after in the secondary trading card market,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “In the last three years, there has not been a more valuable modern-day trading card than our National Treasures NBA product that included a 1-of-1 Blake Griffin NBA Logoman Rookie card that sold on the secondary market for $38,000.
“This new long-term agreement with the NBA serves as the foundation to our future growth and our long-term commitment to the trading card category.”
The Panini Group has exclusive relationships with some of the NBA’s most recognizable players, including five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. In May of this year, Panini Authentic, Panini’s memorabilia division, signed the Dallas Mavericks as its first exclusive game-worn team partner. Panini also has exclusive relationships with USA Basketball, USA Baseball, the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Disney, Hello Kitty, Justin Bieber, One Direction and Michael Jackson and more than 600 global licenses with other sports and entertainment properties.

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[lilreddevil]

Looks like Panini is here to stay for a little longer! Prizm is a different look, so is your 'new' redemption program. Let's see some more improvements like more on-card autos, less variations (which you have already addressed I believe) and better authentication promises on the back of your jersey cards

 

[ooneil]

Wow. Who would have thought the old Donruss would be the only card company with the 4 major sports licences - NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL. Crazy.

 

[postgsl]

Not really all that surprising.

 

[shammgod]

More Panini, and more Kobe autos to flood the market!

 

[biggi5malls]

Just need MJ now

 

[FabFiveFan]

Not surprised by this news at all. Panini has shown clear signs of improvement since their first year, with better inserts, whole "on card" auto sets and a far higher priority on value for money. I think Upper Deck made the decision an easy one for NBA, given their latest releases which, while priced high, failed to deliver top end results (sticker autos on Exquisite = Major FAIL), and once UD loses MJ (their only significant advantage), who will probably try to take Lebron with him, what will they have left to offer?

The only disappointment I have from this years releases so far is no Lillard autos. How can he sign exclusively with Leaf when they dont even produce NBA cards?

Does anyone know how long the extension is for?

 

[Matt26]

UD won't be losing Jordan especially when he owns a fair chunk of UD!

 

[Matt26]

Does anyone know how long the extension is for?

Till 2017!

 

[wasportsfan1]

they are getting better Panini all they need to do is keep the autos on card and not stickers and less GU's and more autos they are set to get better!

 

[A_Iverson_I]

Wow...... this sucks!

 

[Mr Paparazzi]

I'm enjoying Panini products more and more. they still have a fair bit of improving to go. They at least listen and look after their customer base.

Would have to agree more on card autos especially if consumers have to wait 6+ months to get them through redemptions.

Some crazy rare parallel's, more modern day players less legends. A segment on current and former international players to cater for all other countrymen collectors.

Liking the look of Prizm. Products that have refractors and cool, highly detailed inserts.

 

[ooneil]

Read a blog today saying Topps is not interested in doing NBA for how much they were asking and UD has been blacklisted.

Panini are really the last one standing

 

[sacface]

what did UD do to lose there license?

 

[ooneil]

They were not paying players (if you believe the rumours).

.....and then UD being named in a FBI investigation as buying fake GU jerseys probably put the nail in the coffin!

 

[drob50]

They were not paying players (if you believe the rumours).

.....and then UD being named in a FBI investigation as buying fake GU jerseys probably put the nail in the coffin!

Not sure they are rumours! lol

http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/03/ufl-ud-lawsuit/
http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/03/mlb-properties-sues-upper-deck-for-unpaid-settlement-money/
http://www.beckett.com/news/2010/03/mln-properties-settles-its-lawsuit-with-upper-deck/

And this guy suing for expired redemptions! haha
http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/04/upper-deck-loses-court-case-over-redemption-cards/

They had the most focus in NHL last year, I believe, but there is a lockout in the NHL now so UD will struggle! Hence the hack copies of Fleer Retro and Exquisite being rushed out!

 

[sacface]

Not sure they are rumours! lol

http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/03/ufl-ud-lawsuit/
http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/03/mlb-properties-sues-upper-deck-for-unpaid-settlement-money/
http://www.beckett.com/news/2010/03/mln-properties-settles-its-lawsuit-with-upper-deck/

And this guy suing for expired redemptions! haha
http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/04/upper-deck-loses-court-case-over-redemption-cards/

They had the most focus in NHL last year, I believe, but there is a lockout in the NHL now so UD will struggle! Hence the hack copies of Fleer Retro and Exquisite being rushed out!

thanks for the info guys. since i been back into the hooby (maybe 12 months) ive been wondering what happeded there...
big fan of upper deck stuff (mainly for jordan and lebron cards) tis a shame... if only panini could pick up there naming rights.