You want competition, you got it: Panini gets MLBPA license
Topps is coming to the end of the
second year of its exclusivity with an MLB license.
second year of its exclusivity with an MLB license.
Upper Deck had an MLBPA license in
2010, but no MLB license, which meant they could only make cards with
players only, no logos or team names. UD didn’t follow those rules and got sued.
2010, but no MLB license, which meant they could only make cards with
players only, no logos or team names. UD didn’t follow those rules and got sued.
So, for some time there was just one.
The longtime card company stood alone
creating a variety of products that were received differently by the
collectors. Regardless if a collector liked or disliked a set, it
seemed there was one thing they all wanted – competition.
creating a variety of products that were received differently by the
collectors. Regardless if a collector liked or disliked a set, it
seemed there was one thing they all wanted – competition.
Most people understand competition
is good in a business marketplace. It doesn’t allow companies to get
complacent. I’m not saying this is what Topps has done. It has put
out some really good products this year such as Gypsy Queen.
is good in a business marketplace. It doesn’t allow companies to get
complacent. I’m not saying this is what Topps has done. It has put
out some really good products this year such as Gypsy Queen.
Still, we wanted more.
Consumers wanted options.
On Thursday, we got one step closer,
although we’re not entirely there. MLBPA gave a license to Panini America to create baseball cards. The catch? Just like Upper Deck,
they cannot use team names and logos because those are with the MLB
license.
although we’re not entirely there. MLBPA gave a license to Panini America to create baseball cards. The catch? Just like Upper Deck,
they cannot use team names and logos because those are with the MLB
license.
But we have a choice when 2011 Elite Extra Edition hit the shelf. It was has been a hit for
prospectors, but that is supposed to be the first product that will have the MLBPA license.
prospectors, but that is supposed to be the first product that will have the MLBPA license.
I haven’t collected much Panini product because I don’t collect other sports. I’ve looked at
its football and basketball cards from time to time. There have been some hits and
some misses – just like every other company out there. No company
is infallible and will make mistakes, even companies such as Google and Apple.
its football and basketball cards from time to time. There have been some hits and
some misses – just like every other company out there. No company
is infallible and will make mistakes, even companies such as Google and Apple.
For now, I’m going to keep an open mind
just as I do every other baseball product that hits the shelf. If I
like what I see online with auctions on eBay and box breaks on other
sites, I will buy. If I don’t like it, I just one want one card out
of the set: a Derek Jeter.
just as I do every other baseball product that hits the shelf. If I
like what I see online with auctions on eBay and box breaks on other
sites, I will buy. If I don’t like it, I just one want one card out
of the set: a Derek Jeter.
I’m looking forward to seeing what
competition is going to bring. Panini has its work cut out for them
in the baseball market because Topps has had a stranglehold in that
area for so long. Panini is going to have to come out with great
products to lure the consumers.
competition is going to bring. Panini has its work cut out for them
in the baseball market because Topps has had a stranglehold in that
area for so long. Panini is going to have to come out with great
products to lure the consumers.
I can’t wait.
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I'm just glad to see someone else stepping into the fray. I would actually like to see a "Studio-style" set. Well, as long as they don't get into pics with players and their pets and other nonsense.