Topps and Upper Deck lose their NBA liscence

justmichael · January 27, 2009 1:21AM

Topps and Upper have lost their NBA liscence to Panini.Link to follow.
http://freedomcardboard.com/

TNP777 · January 27, 2009 1:31AM

NBA NAMES PANINI EXCLUSIVE TRADING CARD PARTNER

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2009 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a new exclusive, multiyear licensing agreement with The Panini Group – the leading global publisher of collectibles. The new partnership will focus on redefining the domestic NBA trading card category by enhancing the relationship with existing NBA card enthusiasts, cultivating a new generation of collectors, supporting hobby shops and retailers, and by creating new product growth opportunities worldwide.

As the NBA's exclusive trading card and sticker partner, Panini will produce NBA trading cards, stickers and sticker albums beginning with the 2009-10 NBA season. Together with the NBA, Panini will provide significant retail marketing and promotional support including TV, print and on-line initiatives and in-store events for both hobby shops and retailers.

"Over the years, NBA trading cards have served as an important source to connect fans of all ages with our game," said Sal LaRocca, Executive Vice President, NBA Global Merchandising Group. "As we look to the future of our trading card business, there is general consensus, including with our current partners, Topps and Upper Deck, that moving forward with an exclusive partner is the best way for us to energize the category on a worldwide basis. We are fortunate to have had three outstanding companies interested in our trading card business and believe Panini's position as the leading global company in this industry aligns best with our global growth strategy."

LaRocca continued, "Our exclusive partnership with Panini provides us with the best opportunity to recreate the trading card market by developing the key retail channels with a variety of products and promotions geared towards all consumer segments."

Panini will leverage the strength of the NBA as a global sports league to develop the international trading card business and establish and build a sports collectibles business in the U.S. Currently, Panini has a successful North American collectibles business with consumer brands such as Disney's Hannah Montana and High School Musical, and Warner Bros.' Harry Potter, as well as with the UEFA Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup sporting events. Internationally, Panini's leadership in the sticker category will provide additional growth opportunities for the NBA.

"As the leading global sports league, the NBA provides Panini with an international platform to expand the global trading card and collectibles markets by building our business in the U.S. and attracting new collectors around the world," said Peter Warsop, Panini Group Licensing Director.

justmichael · January 27, 2009 1:32AM

I probrobly should have done that.Oops
Mike

billwaltonsbeard · January 27, 2009 1:36AM

whoa, really? So is Panini going to produce about 25 sets next year to replace all of the Topps and UD sets that will no longer be made?

cwazzy · January 27, 2009 1:39AM

And does this mean that Topps and UD can now further water down the Football and Baseball markets with more sets because they don't have to worry about basketball?

Chris

slantycouch · January 27, 2009 1:41AM

That is interesting - thanks for posting. It almost makes me want to collect new basketball just because it should be much easier to decipher what is what.

Almost.

justmichael · January 27, 2009 1:45AM

Does anyone still watch the NBA anymore?I stopped when they started stretching the playoffs over 5 months?By the time you get to the 2nd rund I have forgotten who was in the first.
Mike

billwaltonsbeard · January 27, 2009 1:48AM

<< <i>Does anyone still watch the NBA anymore?I stopped when they started stretching the playoffs over 5 months?By the time you get to the 2nd rund I have forgotten who was in the first.
Mike >>

the NBA is all I watch. Every other sport is BOOOOOOOOOOORIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

intence · January 27, 2009 1:51AM

of course people still watch it

Ironmanfan · January 27, 2009 1:51AM

<< <i>Does anyone still watch the NBA anymore?I stopped when they started stretching the playoffs over 5 months?By the time you get to the 2nd rund I have forgotten who was in the first.
Mike >>

More like by the time they are in the 2nd round, you are on Summer vacation

rube26105 · January 27, 2009 1:52AM

i dont,i lost interest when jordon quit for the 4th or 5th time

justmichael · January 27, 2009 1:52AM

No kidding that they still watch it but it seems to have fallen near the ranks of hockey in terms of popularity in the US.I bet they have more foriegn appeal than ever though.
Mike

larryallen73 · January 27, 2009 2:01AM

I don't think we have an NBA team in Sacramento any more.

Goot · January 27, 2009 2:11AM

<< <i>I don't think we have an NBA team in Sacramento any more. >>

You haven't since about 2005. Nice new jerseys though!

ROCKDJRW · January 27, 2009 2:14AM

I think Panini should save the kids from the grief of a bad pack by not printing any Joakim Noah cards.

nflhof · January 27, 2009 2:15AM

The NBA is unwatchable!

BunchOBull · January 27, 2009 2:18AM

It's a smart move on the NBA's behalf...the sportscard market in the EU isn't close to being tapped...in fact there are more people who want than there is product to sell. Basketball has been the international sport of interest since the Jordan-era...every European country has a team.

Interest in the NBA has fallen in the last decade here in the States...why not allow a European provider to fill the gap in the US and create easy access for European fans. You may lose a few die-hard Topps/UD supporters, but you gain millions of consumers in a new market. The NBA could use the added interest...I'm sure they see dollar signs flashing.

Of course there are always unlicensed products...and the exclusive contracts that many players have with UD...this could open the door for Donruss to be a serious basketball contender.

edited for spelling

VitoCo1972 · January 27, 2009 2:21AM

Well, from what I understand, Panini produces excellent soccer sets in Europe/GB. I can't imagine them doing 10-15 sets to compensate for not having Topps AND UD. This is fairly amazing actually. I imagine UD will put a much heavier multi-sport flavor in it's Goudey and possibly a separate Sport Kings set since they have a BUNCH of basketball players under contract.

larryallen73 · January 27, 2009 2:23AM

Being a child of the 80's I do remember thinking it odd not having basketball sets all those years. I hope Panini puts out a nice product so today's US kids do not go without NBA cards as we did!

Morgoth · January 27, 2009 4:14AM

Actually this is pretty bad news for Collectors, Topps and UD. Basketball collectors for some reason LOVE their high end products. I would say that unless Panini really comes through on the ultra high end stuff alot of collectors will be po'd. It will be interesting to see how those exclusive contracts by UD keeps restricts the game used and autoed stuff in the Panini sets.

bigwilli · January 27, 2009 5:50AM

It doesnt matter much ......Donruss and Press Pass still produce some of the most popular cards and
neither have licenses . So dont expect them to stop producing cards.

Upper Deck makes a fortune on their Exquisite 500$ a pack brand . Do you really think they will give that up !

BunchOBull · January 27, 2009 6:11AM

Kind of related in terms of unlicensed cards...for those of you wondering how Donruss was able to use the Reds logo for the Pete Rose cards...I guess they did it because they wanted to...

LINK

I feel bad for the collectors of the rookies that come up in the next few years...unless something major happens, they won't have a licensed "high-end" rookie.

It's about money though, and the NBA is probably going to cash in on this pretty well...between card sales and the associated merchandising spinoffs...it could be big.

edited to add: They all but guarantying an Italian company complete market share...and a potentially 3 company market when UD and Topps regain licensing.

DrJ · January 27, 2009 7:38AM

As an autograph collector, I really like a ton of UDs offerings over the last 10 years, hopefully Pannini makes a nice product and does not go crazy with sticker based issues. Basketball cards have historically been the worst sellers (worse than Hockey) in recent times. It was probably not feasible for the companies to continue with a ton of issues capitalizing on their licensing agreement ion these tough times.

I think a better move would have been for the NBA to limit the issues from each company to maybe 4. A base set, mid grade/retro set, High End Set, and Ultra High End set.

We shall see how this all pans out. For it to be a success, US retailers need to start carrying Panninni's lines which have been more or less absent from retail space for quite some time.

MeteoriteGuy · January 27, 2009 7:43AM

<< <i>As an autograph collector, I really like a ton of UDs offerings over the last 10 years, hopefully Pannini makes a nice product and does not go crazy with sticker based issues. Basketball cards have historically been the worst sellers (worse than Hockey) in recent times. It was probably not feasible for the companies to continue with a ton of issues capitalizing on their licensing agreement ion these tough times.

I think a better move would have been for the NBA to limit the issues from each company to maybe 4. A base set, mid grade/retro set, High End Set, and Ultra High End set.

We shall see how this all pans out. For it to be a success, US retailers need to start carrying Panninni's lines which have been more or less absent from retail space for quite some time. >>

There is good markup in the Panninni stickers as well, not sure why they went away. Perhaps Panninni screwed itself by doing too many non-sports?

joestalin · January 27, 2009 7:44AM

This is pretty big news. A major shift in the basketball market. Look for rare autographs of greats to go up in price as Panini will not have the money to
sign those guys.

Kevin

ElToroLoco · January 27, 2009 8:44AM

Great timing by the NBA, I wonder how many jobs will be lost at Upper Deck and Topps because of this exclusive agreement. I'm not to interested in the NBA(not since the Dream Team) so I'll pass on the sticker company.

joestalin · January 27, 2009 9:22AM

Topps has been dead in the basketball market for years. I think I have bought 1 box of topps BSK in the past 8 years. They will be safe with their e-business
heck topps can sell cards without even making them...genius!

Perhaps UD is looking forward to this..less redemptions, less fuss, less money they have to pay for 18 year old "phenoms". Topps owns baseball, UD owns football.
Im ok with that.

Kevin

ldferg · January 27, 2009 10:40AM

maybe they'll produce something old school? cardboard style, gum and wax stain, etc... no shiny stuff...maybe a new "all vintage" set. they can include a panini sticker as an insert.

Goodsport40 · January 27, 2009 11:43AM

More of the NBA as a global entity strategy, it appears.

Hasn't Upper Deck tried pushing NBA cards in Europe to mixed results before? Not sure, but maybe some of the resident NBA guys can elaborate.

Robert

joestalin · January 27, 2009 11:45AM

please, baseball cards are for kids and people with no money.

Sincerely,
Europe

Goodsport40 · January 27, 2009 12:12PM

Upper Deck Responds

Generic corporate response IMHO. Wonder if their exclusive deals will expire as well?

Robert

DrJ · January 27, 2009 12:29PM

In many ways upper deck was killing their base product, and NBA trading cards in general by limiting the good "hits" to the ultra pricey product (150-500 a pack!) while making it almost impossible to score a nice card in base product. Such a high entry cost is bound to turn children and their parents who buy the product away.

Take for example last year's UD Black at $200 a box for 2 packs of a single card. I bought a handful of the "$100 cards" for 10 to 15 on eBay since the guys who signed were not named Michael or Lebron. How can a dealer justify buying these ultra expensive packs and boxes which may very well just sit on the shelf and provide no value to the buyers. It has just gotten too much out of balance with too many products.

Topps and Upper Deck lose their NBA liscence

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