Panini America and the NFL and NFL Players Association have officially come to terms on a multi-year trading card licensing agreement.
The deal covers the manufacture of football cards and stickers. In the coming weeks, Panini also expects to announce several agreements with NFL players who will serve as the face of its products on packaging and in promotions.
The 2010 NFL season marks the first year Panini will produce NFL trading cards under the new agreement. Panini purchased Donruss Playoff last year and released brands under the old name.
“Panini has been aggressive in the U.S market and done a phenomenal job,” said Leo Kane, Vice President of Consumer Products for the NFL. “We are pleased to make available new products to our collector fan base including Adrenalyn, and sticker and sticker albums.”
Panini kicks off its 2010 NFL Trading Cards with its 2010 Panini Prestige Football product, which is being released now. It will be the first time the 2010 NFL Rookie class will be featured on NFL football cards. Prestige will include autographs of top NFL Rookies autographed to 100 or less including Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Golden Tate and Colt McCoy to name a few.
“We are excited to have been awarded an NFL and NFLPA license. We are committed to introducing NFL Trading Cards to a whole new generation of NFL fans and building new collectors,” said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America. “The NFL is one of sports premiere properties, and we are enthusiastic about introducing NFL trading cards on a global level.”
The Panini Prestige Football release will be followed by the release of other Panini Football products including: Donruss Elite, Score Football and Panini Classics Football – all before NFL training camps open.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Panini America. They’re focused on engaging kids, attracting new users and increasing brand awareness. These elements, coupled with a strong rookie class, is a recipe for success,” said Karen Austin, Assistant Vice President, Trading Cards and Collectibles for NFL PLAYERS.
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