Upper Deck Responds to NBA's Trading Card Licensee Announcement

blowoutcards · 01-29-2009, 07:54 AM

Upper Deck Responds to NBA's Trading Card Licensee Announcement

North Las Vegas, NV (January 27, 2009) – While Upper Deck is disappointed with the NBA's decision to grant exclusive trading card rights to a new licensee, they are reinforcing their commitment to producing the highest quality, most innovative and value-rich basketball products.

"Our focus remains on delivering great products to the loyal collectors and consumers who have passionately supported Upper Deck basketball products. We are confident the remaining 2008-09 NBA sets will be some of the best our industry has ever seen," said Upper Deck's VP of Sports Bernd Becker.

Upper Deck was granted a license to produce NBA trading cards in 1991 and shortly thereafter became the dominant market share leader in the category. They currently hold exclusive, multi-year autograph contracts with Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.

Specific plans for the remaining 2008-2009 Upper Deck basketball brands will be announced in the coming weeks.

thebear29 · 01-29-2009, 10:21 AM

Would it be safe to say the basketball card industry will be pretty much dead while panini hold the contract without Kobe, Lebron, and MJ? Also could this mean UD may increase the quality trying to deplete some of their inventory?

iluvfish2 · 01-29-2009, 10:40 AM

Those are the current rumors. As for Panini..who knows. IF they're able to buy up Donruss or contract them to do the development it may not be that bad. Just a different name.

Drew · 01-29-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebear29

Would it be safe to say the basketball card industry will be pretty much dead while panini hold the contract without Kobe, Lebron, and MJ? Also could this mean UD may increase the quality trying to deplete some of their inventory?

That's what I said when I heard about the panini deal. Just like how Donruss did with 2005 Absolute update, I'd watch for Upper Deck to do with Exquisite and Black.

Tim · 01-30-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

That's what I said when I heard about the panini deal. Just like how Donruss did with 2005 Absolute update, I'd watch for Upper Deck to do with Exquisite and Black.

Donruss was supposed to load their last three BB products in 2005 and it was all garbage.

01-29-2009, 07:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
blowoutcards Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 7,501 blowoutcards	Upper Deck Responds to NBA's Trading Card Licensee Announcement Upper Deck Responds to NBA's Trading Card Licensee Announcement North Las Vegas, NV (January 27, 2009) – While Upper Deck is disappointed with the NBA's decision to grant exclusive trading card rights to a new licensee, they are reinforcing their commitment to producing the highest quality, most innovative and value-rich basketball products. "Our focus remains on delivering great products to the loyal collectors and consumers who have passionately supported Upper Deck basketball products. We are confident the remaining 2008-09 NBA sets will be some of the best our industry has ever seen," said Upper Deck's VP of Sports Bernd Becker. Upper Deck was granted a license to produce NBA trading cards in 1991 and shortly thereafter became the dominant market share leader in the category. They currently hold exclusive, multi-year autograph contracts with Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. Specific plans for the remaining 2008-2009 Upper Deck basketball brands will be announced in the coming weeks. __________________ Shop for Sports Cards and Trading Cards

01-29-2009, 10:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
iluvfish2 Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lansing, Michigan Posts: 19,748 iluvfish2 iluvfish2	Those are the current rumors. As for Panini..who knows. IF they're able to buy up Donruss or contract them to do the development it may not be that bad. Just a different name. __________________ Blowouts Resident Wade Boggs Super Collector

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01-29-2009, 10:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
thebear29 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Elkins, WV Posts: 1,309	Would it be safe to say the basketball card industry will be pretty much dead while panini hold the contract without Kobe, Lebron, and MJ? Also could this mean UD may increase the quality trying to deplete some of their inventory?