Panini America has filed a federal lawsuit, hoping to block World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) from terminating its trading card deal more than two years ahead of schedule. Late last month, Panini says it received a letter from WWE, indicating the pro wrestling behemoth was ending its deal with the Texas based card maker over a breach of contract. In court papers … [Read more...] about Panini Sues After WWE Moves to Terminate Card License
Sports Memorabilia Industry News
Chicago to Host 2026 National Sports Collectors Convention
After a one-year stop in Cleveland, it'll be back-to-back Chicago visits for the National Sports Collectors Convention. Show promoters announced Monday that dealers have voted to award the 2026 event to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, the same site of the 2023 and '25 shows. Between 2011 and 2026, the National will have been held in Rosemont … [Read more...] about Chicago to Host 2026 National Sports Collectors Convention
Fanatics Argues Panini’s Antitrust Case Should Be Dismissed
Attorneys for Fanatics have asked a judge to dismiss its antitrust case against the company over Fanatics’ push to move deeper into the sports trading card space ahead of its upcoming control of the NFL and NBA card markets. The company filed the motion in a Tampa, FL U.S. District Court, saying Panini hasn’t met the standards that would define antitrust actions. “Panini … [Read more...] about Fanatics Argues Panini’s Antitrust Case Should Be Dismissed
“Master Forger” and Brother in Plea Talks with Feds on Long Running Fake Memorabilia Scheme
Attorneys for two brothers from Michigan facing federal charges over massive art and sports memorabilia fraud are discussing plea deals with federal prosecutors. According to a joint status report filed this week in U.S. District Court, plea negotiations are ongoing between the government and Mark Henkel while a draft plea agreement has been sent to Donald Henkel for … [Read more...] about “Master Forger” and Brother in Plea Talks with Feds on Long Running Fake Memorabilia Scheme
Panini Agrees to $25 Million Settlement in Stat Smashers Case
Panini America has agreed to pay bankruptcy creditors of the makers of the original Wild Card Football trading cards $25 million, settling a case filed against it in February of last year. The case had been scheduled to go to trial in September. Hanlin Bavely, the Chapter 7 trustee of AAA Sports, Inc., which made Wild Card products, accused Panini of creating cards … [Read more...] about Panini Agrees to $25 Million Settlement in Stat Smashers Case
Collectibles Attorney Weighs In On Panini-Fanatics Legal Squabbles, NFLPA Move
The ongoing legal battle between Panini America and Fanatics is fascinating fodder for card collectors. Attorneys watching from the sidelines are also intrigued by the NFLPA’s sudden decision to terminate its trading card deal with Panini three years before it was scheduled to expire, opting instead to immediately go with Fanatics. The NFLPA told contract advisers last week … [Read more...] about Collectibles Attorney Weighs In On Panini-Fanatics Legal Squabbles, NFLPA Move
Former NFL Card Maker Knows What It’s Like to Lose a License
One of the most prominent people in sport card history says the recent events in the hobby can be summed up in one word. Greed. Mike Cramer, who was the founder, President and CEO of Pacific Trading Cards, says that what happened to Panini this week is nothing new to the industry. “We went through the same thing,” Cramer said of Pacific's exodus from the NFL card … [Read more...] about Former NFL Card Maker Knows What It’s Like to Lose a License
Panini Still Selling Football as Uncertainty Prevails for Retailers
In spite of a letter sent by the NFLPA’s licensing and marketing arm on Monday indicating it was “terminating” its contract with Panini America and turning those rights over to Fanatics Collectibles, outwardly it seemed to be business as usual. Panini continued to promote upcoming 2023 branded NFL products on its website including Wednesday’s release of … [Read more...] about Panini Still Selling Football as Uncertainty Prevails for Retailers
NFLPA Tells Agents It’s Terminating Contract with Panini, Moving to Fanatics
If you once thought there would be a peaceful transition of power from Panini America to Fanatics, think again. Just 17 days after Panini filed an antitrust suit against Fanatics over its lame duck licensing deals for trading cards with pro leagues and athletes, the NFL Players Association's licensing and marketing arm distributed a letter to player agents … [Read more...] about NFLPA Tells Agents It’s Terminating Contract with Panini, Moving to Fanatics
Fast Growing Pickleball Is About to Get a Card Set
It was inevitable that the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. would have a trading card set. We’re talking about pickleball, the sport that combines tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong and uses a flat paddle and a plastic, perforated ball. The sport was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, WA, but gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic because it allowed players to … [Read more...] about Fast Growing Pickleball Is About to Get a Card Set