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
Panini Lawsuit
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
Panini Still Selling Football as Uncertainty Prevails for Retailers
In spite of a letter sent by the NFLPA’s licensing and marketing arm on Monday indicating it was “terminating” its contract with Panini America and turning those rights over to Fanatics Collectibles, outwardly it seemed to be business as usual. Panini continued to promote upcoming 2023 branded NFL products on its website including Wednesday’s release of … [Read more...] about Panini Still Selling Football as Uncertainty Prevails for Retailers
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
Notes: Fanatics Requests Change of Venue; Bama Gets Bowman U Set; ’23 Bowman Chrome; Bazooka Sold; ’67 Cello Rip with Mantle
Fanatics has asked for a change of venue as it addresses the recent antitrust case filed against it by Panini America. Attorneys say they’d like the case transferred from Florida to the Southern District of New York. “It brings this antitrust case against New York-based Fanatics Collectibles to complain about Fanatics Collectibles’ licenses with New York-based … [Read more...] about Notes: Fanatics Requests Change of Venue; Bama Gets Bowman U Set; ’23 Bowman Chrome; Bazooka Sold; ’67 Cello Rip with Mantle
Mint Condition: A Brief Look at the Panini vs Fanatics Cases
Leading Off Coming out of The National, the hobby has not been short of headlines as some bombshell news hit the tape over the last few weeks with Fanatics and Panini both filing lawsuits against one another. First, Panini launched an antitrust suit against Fanatics, claiming they engage in anticompetitive activities and behave like a monopoly. In response, Fanatics … [Read more...] about Mint Condition: A Brief Look at the Panini vs Fanatics Cases
Fanatics Files Countersuit to Panini’s Antitrust Case, Details Previous Negotiations
The battle of the pro sports trading card lawsuits is now fully engaged. Five days after Fanatics Collectibles was hit with a 56-page antitrust lawsuit from Panini America alleging anticompetitive conduct, they returned serve with a 96-page countersuit of their own against Panini, filed in a New York federal court Monday morning. Calling Panini’s recent antitrust … [Read more...] about Fanatics Files Countersuit to Panini’s Antitrust Case, Details Previous Negotiations
Panini Files Federal Suit Against Fanatics Over “Anticompetitive Conduct”
They still own the rights to produce basketball and football cards for at least two more seasons but Panini America says the company that's scheduled to eventually take over those licenses is making things difficult. Panini filed a 56-page federal antitrust lawsuit against Fanatics on Thursday, alleging Fanatics has interfered with its existing contracts for trading card … [Read more...] about Panini Files Federal Suit Against Fanatics Over “Anticompetitive Conduct”