Panini America is fighting back against Fanatics' recent pillage of its employees but a judge ruled Monday that unless those former workers try to recruit their Panini colleagues, Fanatics can continue hiring them if it wants to. The company filed suit in Texas District Court late last week, seeking a temporary restraining order that would have put a halt to Fanatics hiring … [Read more...] about Panini Takes Fanatics to Court Over Employee Departures
Fanatics Trading Cards
Fanatics Building New Dallas Office
Fanatics is building an office for its Collectibles division in Dallas. CEO Michael Rubin says it will “open shortly” for the company’s “rapidly growing Collectibles team.” The company continues to hire for jobs that are listed as based in that area, including positions on the trading card side. View this post … [Read more...] about Fanatics Building New Dallas Office
Notes: Former Panini Employees Taking On Similar Roles Under Fanatics; Product Updates, More
The exodus of Panini America’s trading card team who have now signed on to work for Fanatics continues. Among those who have acknowledged their moves to Fanatics Collectibles include Vice President of Product Development Nick Matijevich, Senior Brand Manager Keith Hower, Director of Product Development Tim Trout, Director of Football Product Development Rob Springs, … [Read more...] about Notes: Former Panini Employees Taking On Similar Roles Under Fanatics; Product Updates, More
Sudden Resignations at Panini as Fanatics Looks to Fill Trading Card Positions
Multiple employees have left their positions inside the trading card operations of Panini America this week, SC Daily has learned. Four members of the company’s product development team resigned abruptly on Tuesday, followed by half of the company’s Acquisitions department. We’re told by a reliable industry source that the employees resigned and were not terminated. The … [Read more...] about Sudden Resignations at Panini as Fanatics Looks to Fill Trading Card Positions
NBA Writer Tweets Topps Branded Basketball Cards Next Season
It's been over a year now since Fanatics took over Topps. Now, another potentially significant licensing move could be in the works. At least that's what a well connected NBA beat writer is suggesting. Shams Charania, lead NBA insider for The Athletic, indicated on social media that he'd been told Fanatics would be making Topps branded basketball cards beginning … [Read more...] about NBA Writer Tweets Topps Branded Basketball Cards Next Season
Editor’s Blog: Fanatics Takes Its First Big Cut
The world found out what Fanatics Collectibles is up to on Thursday. What the eventual reaction will be to the player worn MLB Debut patch cards we’re going to see at some point later this year remains to be seen. That kind of depends on what the cards look like. Overall, though, the idea illustrates that Fanatics is trying to make some things happen. MLB and Fanatics … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: Fanatics Takes Its First Big Cut
Fanatics, MLB Announce Player Worn Debut Patches That Will Turn Into Rookie Cards
Fans watching the first Major League Baseball games of the season will notice a little something on the jerseys worn by rookies. Early Thursday morning, Fanatics, MLB and its players delivered a joint announcement centered around those fresh faces and…baseball cards. Players appearing in their first big league games would all be wearing small “MLB Debut” … [Read more...] about Fanatics, MLB Announce Player Worn Debut Patches That Will Turn Into Rookie Cards
Fanatics, Pro Tennis Players in Deal for Annual Trading Card Set
Trading cards devoted exclusively to pro tennis players are coming to Topps—and it’s not just a one time thing. Winners Alliance, the for-profit affiliate of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), has partnered with Fanatics Collectibles on a 20-year deal to provide players the opportunity to be included on cards. It’s the first group licensing agreement in the … [Read more...] about Fanatics, Pro Tennis Players in Deal for Annual Trading Card Set
Fanatics Collectibles Hires Ken Turner for New Chief Marketing Role
Fanatics Collectibles has made its second major personnel hire of the week, adding Ken Turner as its first Chief Marketing Officer. In this newly created role, Turner will “oversee brand vision, strategy and marketing efforts across the entire portfolio of physical and digital collectibles,” according to the company. That includes Topps trading cards. Before … [Read more...] about Fanatics Collectibles Hires Ken Turner for New Chief Marketing Role
Fanatics Collectibles Hires Omar Wilkes for Athlete Relations Role
Fanatics’ collectibles division announced a major personnel move Tuesday with the hiring of prominent sports agent Omar Wilkes as its Head of Athlete Relations. Wilkes, the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Jamaal Wilkes and a former college player at California, had joined Klutch Sports in 2020 after eight years as an agent with Octagon Sports. Klutch represents LeBron … [Read more...] about Fanatics Collectibles Hires Omar Wilkes for Athlete Relations Role