If you think it’s been a while since Tim Duncan autographed cards have been available in any card company’s product, you’re right—but that’s about to change.
Panini America has announced an exclusive, multi-year deal with the Basketball Hall of Famer. It marks the first time since the early 2000s that new Duncan autographed cards will be offered in packs of cards.
Duncan’s first autographs will appear in Panini’s 2023-24 Crown Royale product in May.
“It’s been years since I’ve had an autographed trading card. I felt it was time to return to the industry so fans could get the chance to get cards with my signature,” Duncan stated in a news release. “Trading cards have come a long way since I last signed them. Panini America has developed some really cool cards and brands while taking the popularity of NBA trading cards to a whole new level, so it made sense to partner with them.”
A two-time MVP and three-time NBA Finals MVP, Duncan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. The following year he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary team. He won five championships during his 19-year career with the Spurs.
“Tim Duncan is one of the greatest players that the game of basketball has ever seen and is a natural fit to join our Panini family,” remarked Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America. “We are proud to be partnering with him on his new autographed cards and are even more excited to bring such an iconic star back into the trading card world for basketball fans everywhere.”
Duncan joins Luka Doncic, Charles Barkley, David Beckham, Christian Pulisic and Kylian Mbappe, among others, as Panini exclusive athletes.
