The game is far from over, but Panini America picked up a big first down in its battle with the National Football League Players Inc. over the weekend. Arbitrator J. Brian Casey denied attempts by the marketing arm of the NFL Players Association to force Panini to immediately stop producing cards of its players. That keeps the door open for Panini to--at least for … [Read more...] about Denied: NFLPA’s Emergency Relief Request Against Panini Falls Flat
NFLPA
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
Shop Talk: Football Card Fingers Crossed; Chrome Sales; Amazon Stock Returns
The ongoing drama between Fanatics, the NFLPA and Panini is a source of much discussion at the shop--and every other shop in the world. We're are well aware of what's been happening and so are most of our customers. We're still navigating through the news and what it means for us moving forward. We do expect to continue seeing Panini's latest products for at least the first … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Football Card Fingers Crossed; Chrome Sales; Amazon Stock Returns
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
Notes: NFLPA Mum; Judge Rules Against Fanatics’ Stay Request; WNBC Story on Hobby; 1920 Ruth Photo; More
It took a few days but there’s now an official response from NFLPA Communications regarding the letter it sent to agents indicating it was ending its licensing deal with Panini three years before it was set to expire and moving to Fanatics: “No comment at this time.” Meanwhile, Panini continues to sell cards and hold its Dutch-style auctions for football products it has … [Read more...] about Notes: NFLPA Mum; Judge Rules Against Fanatics’ Stay Request; WNBC Story on Hobby; 1920 Ruth Photo; More
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
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
NFL Rookie Premiere Roster Set as Players Prepare to Sign Thousands of Cards
The NFLPA and its marketing and licensing business unit NFL Players Inc., have announced the NFLPA Rookie Premiere Class of 2023. It’s the group of players who are asked to sign football cards that will be used throughout the upcoming trading card release calendar. Their cards will be the most prevalent among newcomers inside releases during the first half of the upcoming … [Read more...] about NFL Rookie Premiere Roster Set as Players Prepare to Sign Thousands of Cards
Notes: Big Pull; What Card Companies Paid Unions; Fun with Really Old Gum, More
Well, that didn’t take long. The 1/1 NFL Shield Mac Jones autographed rookie card from 2021 Flawless Football was pulled Tuesday by MojoBreak. Just pulled!!!!!! @PaniniAmerica #whodoyoucollect #patriots @MacJones_10 pic.twitter.com/qR5rWH2qZ4 — Mojobreak (@mojobreak_com) June 15, 2022 According to figures filed with the US Labor Department, Topps paid the MLB … [Read more...] about Notes: Big Pull; What Card Companies Paid Unions; Fun with Really Old Gum, More
Report: Fanatics Snares NFLPA Trading Card License in 20-Year Deal
Like Godzilla swooping in on an unsuspecting town, Fanatics is apparently grabbing hold of yet another trading card license--one they'll hold until today's newborns might be parents themselves. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL Players Association has now agreed to a deal with the Florida-based sports giant. The move follows Fanatics' recent reported … [Read more...] about Report: Fanatics Snares NFLPA Trading Card License in 20-Year Deal