Panini’s court battles with the NFLPA and WWE continue. Late Last week, WWE filed an injunction in US District Court to try and keep Panini from selling any more of its 
cards.
The move came after an earlier motion to get a temporary restraining order was denied.
In its court filing, WWE claims Panini expected to merge with Fanatics last year but that deal fell apart earlier this year. They claim the exodus of Panini employees to Fanatics hurt the company’s ability to deliver under the terms of its current contract. Panini disagrees and has already sued Fanatics over its efforts to terminate the trading card deal that’s currently scheduled to run until the end of 2025.
WWE claims it was within its rights to terminate its deal with Panini on August 25 because Panini wasn’t fulfilling its part of the deal. The goal for WWE is to move its trading card license to Fanatics.
—-
Goldin is offering a PSA 8 copy of the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in its current Legends Auction.
With the buyer’s premium factored in, the current high bid is over $1 million.
In 2021, there were two sales of PSA 8 Mantles that exceeded $2 million. This year, there have been two sales: one for just under $1.1 million and another via Goldin last month at $972,000.
—-
Brad Bradley, who shot thousands of photos for baseball and football cardswith father-in-law Jim Laughead in the 1960s, has died at age 101.
Bradley was a local legend in Dallas, where he shot 75 consecutive Cotton Bowl games.
If you see an action shot on a 1960s football card, Bradley might be the guy who invented the pose.
—-
Two photos taken 116 years apart each sold for $150,000 in Heritage Auctions’ latest offering.
A framed 1868 image of the pioneering Cincinnati Red Stockings and a signed photo of Michael Jordan in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls were the top in the Icons Photography Auction. Sports and historic images were part of the auction, which generated just over $1 million in sales.
A 1927 Charles Conlon photo of Babe Ruth seen on multiple baseball cards of the era sold for $33,600.
Another Jordan photo—this one taken when he made one of his most famous moves in a 1991 game against the Indiana Pacers—netted $23,400.
The photo by team photographer Carl Sissac shows the moment Jordan switched hands mid-air and spun the ball off the glass and into the hoop, prompting broadcaster Marv Albert to shout, “Oh! A spectacular move by Jordan!”
—–
A jersey worn in Bennedict Mathurin’s NBA debut last season sold for over $18,000 at NBA Auctions last week.
The Indiana Pacers’ first pick wore the Statement Edition jersey during a 114-107 loss to the Washington Wizards on October 19, 2022. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
The auction drew 79 bids.
NBA Auctions has been offering rookie debut jerseys this month, just ahead of the start of the 2023-24 season.
—–
Look for some sports memorabilia content on Sports Illustrated’s social media channels.
They’ve partnered with The Arena Group’s Creator Network and hired influencer Kyle Kravitz (a/k/a ‘King of the Kards’) to create it.
Related Stories:
Panini Settles With Pennsylvania Man Over ‘Rated Rookie’ Trademark Infringement Case
Mint Condition: A Brief Look at the Panini vs Fanatics Cases
Panini Still Selling Football as Uncertainty Prevails for Retailers
Collectibles Attorney Weighs In On Panini-Fanatics Legal Squabbles, NFLPA Move
Panini Claims Employee ‘Raid’ Was Key to Fanatics’ Move to Pursuade NFLPA, WWE to Terminate Licensing Deals
Notes: Judge Moves Antitrust Case; Fanatics Auction; Bruins’ Stick Auction for Lewiston; Riddell Renews with NFL
Notes: Bloomberg on Panini vs. Fanatics; NSCC Tickets; Find Your Card Easily at Philly Show; Game-Worn Discussion
Edwards, Wembanyama Among Top Sellers in Weekend Auction
