Basketball Panini Inks Blake Griffin, Four Others to Exclusive Contracts

[GotGibson?]

Panini America officials confirmed on Wednesday that the company has inked five of the NBA’s top draft prospects, including projected No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin, to exclusive trading card agreements.

In addition to Griffin, the 6-10 forward from Oklahoma who was largely considered the best player in the country in 2008-09, Panini confirmed deals with Tyler Hansbrough (UNC), Jordan Hill (Arizona), Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Virtus Roma, Italy) and Hasheem Thabeet (UCONN).

The players and their autographs will be featured in all 2009-10 Panini NBA card products, beginning with Prestige in October; they’ll also appear on select packaging and advertisements throughout the year.

 

[Steve_O_21]

Why would they need exclusive deals since UD and Topps are leaving the basketball side of the business?

 

[GotGibson?]

Why would they need exclusive deals since UD and Topps are leaving the basketball side of the business?

Because UD and Topps have some 2009/10 products coming out.

 

[meloman315]

and i think that deal is card exclusive so ud can still put out autoed memorabilia

 

[GotGibson?]

Also Press Pass. Now these can't sign for them.

 

[Hands]

There goes Upper Deck from the hobby.

They were dominating the market through shrewd signings and business smarts. Now Panini has trampled all over that UD strategy.

While UD still have Jordan and Lebron, they will maintain a presence in the hobby but unless they can continue to sign the next generation, they are on borrowed time.