The Hockey Card Licensing Discussion Thread

[doniceage]

The more competition the better. Of course you need a level playing field. No UD products under other names like OPC, Ultra, etc. I mean all companies should be able to make the same number of offerings of unique prodcut to be fair but we know that not the case.

I would love to see unique items like the UD MASK auto'ed by players. How many times do you see those any more on the open market or at shows? How often do you see the Artistic Impression Box Toppers at shows. Make things that are unique and ture collectibles to be shown and presented. Jersey cards are so common they sometimes sell for less than .50 cents when bought in bulk by large dealers. How can a jersey be considered a box hit anymore?

Also, please get rid of manufactured patches. If it not part of the game don't make it but I guess that just me unless it auto'ed. At least it been touched by a NHL Player or prospect.

DOn

[Rockstartrev]

I think the hobby was great when Pacific as making Hockey cards, such as Private Stock and Titanium. Personally, Im tired of it being all about Upper Deck(They sure did a good job of screwing up a good year). Would love to see some of the old manufacturers come back

[steen101984]

I want to see a change as well as far as im concerned exclusivity is a bad word

[MatsSundin13Rocks]

I really think there needs to be competition in the market and that competition should be Topps and ITG! I'm sure Topps would love to return to making hockey cards and ITG would love to get a NHL license. I would give Upper Deck 8-10 products, ITG 5 products and Topps 5 products. Would still be around the same amount of products but with 3 companies competing though UD has exclusive deals with most of the star players for autographs.

[RGM81]

Dr. Price has said that he'd only want 8 releases max. if ITG were to get a license, which I think is just about right. It gives them the opportunity to continue making their targeted sets (i.e. BTP) with a decent assortment of low-, mid, and high-end products.
To me, bringing the number of products down should be a top priority for the NHL/PA when they review the hockey card licenses. As an exercise in fun the other day, I listed off to my totally interested fiancee the list of all the sets that UD puts out. It wasn't until 5 minutes later that I remembered Ice. She was a little stunned at just how many sets there are and said, "This is why I only buy you certain kinds - because I just don't know which ones you like and which ones suck."

[Fatty McGee]

Hey guys and gals,
Just like the title says. Does anyone know when UD's exclusive rights to be the sole producer of licensed hockey product run out? And what do you think are the realistic chances of ITG or Topps getting a license when the contract is up for renewal?

Thanks,
The Fat Man

[Nucks4cup]

i heard it runs out in July. and i hope that UD keeps the exclusive. ITG doesn't impress me one bit so i hope they don't get back involved.

[Prime B]

Yup, after this season. I personally like ITG and admire them for their efforts to stay involved and give hobbyists things they want.

Regardless of whether they get back in or not, SOMEONE else MUST get in to revitalize the category.

While I think UD has done some creative things and outstanding work, overall the hockey market has gotten stagnant during their reign and needs an influx of fresh ideas and/or someone to push UD and make THEM better.

Just my 2 cents.....................

[30ranfordfan]

I beleive this is the last season under the current agreement.

I'm hoping the days of exclusive licences are gone, but seeing that other sports have gone down that road now too.... I'm skeptical that it will happen.

My first choice would be to see ITG and/or Topps join Upper Deck with full licences.

If they do insist on going the exclusive route again though, I would prefer it to remain with Upper Deck.

[steen101984]

june 30 2009 it is unofficially over