The NFLPA terminates their relationship with Panini effective immediately

[pwaldo]

Looks like the NFLPA has terminated their relationship with Panini effective immediately. Probably not good for people still holding a bunch of redemptions or Panini points in football or other sports right now.

[Davz13]

Ugh

I wish they'd stop these exclusive deals, and let any major company produce cards.
I want Upper Deck, Panini, Topps, etc etc etc

[pwaldo]

Ugh

I wish they'd stop these exclusive deals, and let any major company produce cards.
I want Upper Deck, Panini, Topps, etc etc etc

Yeah I am seeing some people champion this because they think an exclusive to Fanatics is going to be good but those people are stupid. Monopolies never turn out quality or anything good for consumers. Yeah it might be a nice change of pace to have Topps football cards instead of Panini in the short term but that is ignoring the people who are going to be screwed over on redemptions and Panini points, the uncertainty that will delay and cause confuse and havoc for 2023 football releases, and now the fluctuating in value we will see with all the Panini brands that will go away that were standards in the football hobby.

This also has the potential to spill over into the NBA card market and ruin the VW hype train and possibly the whole market if Fanatics goes after Upper Deck if they can successfully wrestle the license away from Panini after the lawsuits fly.

[Davz13]

Even if they do something like:
Company A - you can make 6 NFL releases a year
Company B - you can make 12 NFL releases a year
Company C - you are new, so you can make 2 NFL releases a year

This will at least give us more options, and take away the exclusive deal.
I always loved Upper Deck products.



I think the Emoji parallels, Monopoly cards, etc. are so dumb.

I hope Fanatics gives us something good.

[Davz13]

... but that is ignoring the people who are going to be screwed over on redemptions and Panini points, the uncertainty that will delay and cause confuse and havoc for 2023 football releases, and now the fluctuating in value we will see with all the Panini brands that will go away that were standards in the football hobby.

This also has the potential to spill over into the NBA card market and ruin the VW hype train and possibly the whole market if Fanatics goes after Upper Deck if they can successfully wrestle the license away from Panini after the lawsuits fly.

I'm hoping they can and will fulfill all of the redemptions.
The players need to sign their stickers ASAP!!!

[hobbyfan]

Score is already out. So is Panini Chronicles. What becomes of Panini's other brands that have yet to release 2023 NFL product?

I'll be happy to see Topps football again after nearly a decade away.

What hasn't been said that I know of is what prompted the NFLPA to terminate their deal with Panini 3 years early.

[pwaldo]

Update:

@byajperez
NEW: Panini scored a major win in its dispute with the NFLPA, which moved to terminate its deal the sports card giant early in favor of Fanatics. The NFLPA was denied emergency relief by an arbitrator late last night, allowing Panini to continue to sell licensed union products.

Full statement from Panini lawyer Stuart Singer, a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP:

“Panini is pleased that the NFLPI’s request for emergency relief has been denied. Panini will move forward with the production and sale of fully licensed NFL player trading cards pursuant to the license agreement it holds, which it has and will continue to outperform in all aspects. The decision to deny the NFLPI’s emergency relief, just like the WWE’s denial last week, is an important win for Panini’s mass retail partners, hobby stores, case breakers and most importantly, trading card fans.”

[pwaldo]

This thing is turning into an absolute mess for football collectors