Panini buying UD ?

[Sharky94]

It doesn't matter whether you like UD or Panini better. The only issue is that monopolies are bad for business in ANY sense. Hasn't anyone in the NHLPA or in any of the card businesses ever taken an Economics class in high school? With only one company, they can dominate the market, sure, and maybe improve their outlook for a year or two. But without competition, there is no pressure or need to improve, revolutionize, or simply change. So the market becomes stale and eventually deteriorates. If there is no impetus to improve, you can't grow. And in business, when you aren't growing, you're dying!

[subban7677]

First off, UD would ABSOLUTELY sell if it was what made the most financial sense. And secondly, they aren't going to give up their all of their financial goings-on to any of us. The notion that any company would admit that there is a deal in the works for a corporate takeover worth millions and millions of dollars because a bunch of people on a hockey card forum are curious, is ridiculous.

Edit: That said, I don't see it happening either. Just gotta play devil's advocate for a minute :P

[jme_mckenzie]

I have a friend that works high up at Upper Deck, and this is absolutely 100% not true, and ridiculous for that matter. A rumor probably started by Panini to steal away some UD clients.

[SilvaisGOAT]

I just spoke with a UD rep and he assured me the rumors are 100% false. Both companies have never had any negotiations and do not plan on doing so anytime soon.

Boy you're gullible if you believe that.

[Cunnuc]

Well everyone seems to know someone who works at Upper Deck or have at least talked to a representative so the rumours must be absolutely false despite both companies have been in negotiations for almost 2 years.

[Drewk86a]

Everyone seems to be talking about a buyout or takeover...but has anyone considered a merger? In the past two years Office Max has merged with Office Depot, and just last week Staples announced it was buying Office Depot. So you've got all three brands owned by one company, but the stores remain open using their own names.

Is it unreasonable to think that Panini will buy out UD and keep the UD name, UD production, and UD distribution networks? They could continue to produce all of the UD products. All they would need to do is add a Panini logo to the back of the cards.

I have absolutely no inside info, nor do I have a friend at UD. Just saying there are many possible outcomes other than "I buy your company and put it out of business."

[subban7677]

The fact is both companies will keep their "cards" (groan) close to their vests, and aren't going to offer up any information. Have they discussed it? Despite the fact everyone seems to have a friend working for UD that denied it, I would say yes, of course they have. None of us could possibly know how serious these discussions are. One of two things will happen. 1. Nothing. 2. Constant denials until a press release saying a deal is done. Anything beyond that is just wild speculation. "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

[pwaldo]

Everyone seems to be talking about a buyout or takeover...but has anyone considered a merger? In the past two years Office Max has merged with Office Depot, and just last week Staples announced it was buying Office Depot. So you've got all three brands owned by one company, but the stores remain open using their own names.

Is it unreasonable to think that Panini will buy out UD and keep the UD name, UD production, and UD distribution networks? They could continue to produce all of the UD products. All they would need to do is add a Panini logo to the back of the cards.

I have absolutely no inside info, nor do I have a friend at UD. Just saying there are many possible outcomes other than "I buy your company and put it out of business."

Not to mention ITG and Leaf who "merged" recently. Personally I think merged is just a fancy way of these companies saying they are taking over another because there are negative perceptions to the term taking over. That will hurt the reputation of the brand/company being bought out so the company isn't going to be saying that.

Just like no company is going to come out and state they are in contracts to be bought out because they will just cost themselves more money. Nobody likes to project they are desperate and need to be taken over. If you are a strong and vibrant company you can get the interested company to shell out more money for you.

[Leafsman]

That's one way to get your license back. Kinda like when the Canadiens purchased the entire Quebec Senior League, I think it was, just to secure Jean Beliveau's professional rights.

To get a little off topic (sorry), you referenced that the Canadiens purchased the entire Quebec Senior League just for Beliveau. This is one of the reasons I'm not a Canadiens fan.

To the topic at hand, I would be willing to give Panini a chance if it happens and I'm still collecting. Just to have someone different than Upper Deck producing products would be refreshing, even if it is still a monopoly.

[eliteco3]

I would actually be alright with this if they let UD design their classic sets and use their name.