His rookie cards showing him as a member of the Golden State Warriors have been lighting up eBay like he’s lit up the scoreboard and two weeks from tomorrow, we’ll see our first Jeremy Lin Knicks basketball card.
Panini America’s 2011-12 NBA Hoops set, delayed because of the NBA lockout, will help kick off a ‘better late than never’ hoops card campaign on February 29 and the company scrambled its resources to make sure the hottest player in the game was represented.
The card shows the Harvard grad dribbling up court in his blue Knicks jersey.
“Lin’s timely inclusion will no doubt provide a huge boost in appeal and value to a product “already buzzing with momentum” according to Panini.
Just a few weeks ago, Lin rookie cards–even his best autographed Panini card–were selling for less than $10 in some instances. One of his Century Materials Signatures signed card, numbered to 99, sold recently for $1, 950. Now, those signed copies of a second year player who wasn’t on an NBA roster over the holidays will likely reach three figures and up.
The Hoops design should also catch the eyes of nostalgia buffs. It’s designed to look like the 1989-90 Hoops issue. There will be 36 packs per box and eight cards per pack.
Linsanity isn’t restricted to baseball cards. CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell reported that Lin took over as the #1 best selling Fathead this week, ahead of Eli Manning, Tim Tebow and Tom Brady, among others.
Lin Knicks cards will no doubt be prominently featured in the rest of Panini’s basketball products, set to release over the next several months. Preferred will follow Hoops in March.
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Jeremy Lin Knicks Card Coming February 29