New York, NY (Dec. 22, 2009) -The Topps Company, Inc., the exclusive producer of Major League Baseball trading cards, has announced that it has signed baseball's # 1 Draft Pick Stephen Strasburg to an exclusive agreement.
The multi-year deal grants Topps exclusive rights for autographed cards, game-used memorabilia cards and Strasburg's image use on packaging and advertising. Topps will also offer a limited edition line of autographed memorabilia items.
"I can't wait to see myself in uniform on my first Topps card," said Strasburg. "That's when I know I will have truly made it as a baseball player."
Strasburg, 21, one of the most heralded amateur players in the game's history, was the first overall pick of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. The highly-touted pitcher went 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA at San Diego State University in 2009 and won the Golden Spikes Award tabbing him the best amateur baseball player in the country.
"Stephen is a very special talent," said Warren Friss, GM, Topps Sports & Entertainment. "When a phenom like him comes along, you do whatever you can to make them part of your team."
In the coming weeks, Topps will unveil card designs and products featuring Strasburg.
Earlier this year, Topps became the first exclusive baseball card company of Major League Baseball in nearly 30 years.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PROPERTIES AND THE TOPPS COMPANY SIGN EXCLUSIVE
Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) and the Topps Company, the leading creator and marketer of sports cards, today announced an exclusive multi-year licensing deal to make Topps the Official Baseball Card of Minor League Baseball.
The agreement makes Topps the only trading card manufacturer licensed by MLBP to produce nationally-distributed trading cards of top draft picks and prospects within Minor League Baseball, and will give Topps the rights to names & logos of the 160 affiliated Minor League clubs and current Minor League players in uniform on baseball cards and stickers beginning on January 1, 2010. In addition, Topps will now have the exclusive use of the Pro Debut logo. Its first product will be its 2010 Topps Pro Debut Series 1 to be unveiled in early March 2010.
“Topps is excited to become the official baseball card of Minor League Baseball as many of the young players today will be stars in the Major Leagues tomorrow,” said Warren Friss, Topps. “Now we’re the only trading card licensed by both Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball and we look forward to a lasting relationship with both Leagues.”
“Topps continues to differentiate itself as the leader within the industry creating superior products for our fans,” said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball. “Many fans begin to follow their favorite players as they become standout stars in the Minor Leagues, and a major avenue to build this connection is through collecting their Minor League cards.”
Minor League Baseball and Topps annually recognize the top prospects in baseball with the Topps Player of Month Awards and year-end classification all-star teams. “We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with The Topps Company into licensed trading cards,” said Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner. “This provides us with a unique opportunity to continue recognizing the best and brightest minor league talent while providing our fans and collectors high-quality trading card products.”
Earlier this year, Topps became the first exclusive baseball card company of Major League Baseball in nearly 30 years. The company looks to expand its ongoing efforts to invigorate the category, continue launching ground-breaking products, improve the retail and collecting experience and make cards more relevant to children.
The agreement makes Topps the only trading card manufacturer licensed by MLBP to produce nationally-distributed trading cards of top draft picks and prospects within Minor League Baseball, and will give Topps the rights to names & logos of the 160 affiliated Minor League clubs and current Minor League players in uniform on baseball cards and stickers beginning on January 1, 2010. In addition, Topps will now have the exclusive use of the Pro Debut logo. Its first product will be its 2010 Topps Pro Debut Series 1 to be unveiled in early March 2010.
“Topps is excited to become the official baseball card of Minor League Baseball as many of the young players today will be stars in the Major Leagues tomorrow,” said Warren Friss, Topps. “Now we’re the only trading card licensed by both Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball and we look forward to a lasting relationship with both Leagues.”
“Topps continues to differentiate itself as the leader within the industry creating superior products for our fans,” said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball. “Many fans begin to follow their favorite players as they become standout stars in the Minor Leagues, and a major avenue to build this connection is through collecting their Minor League cards.”
Minor League Baseball and Topps annually recognize the top prospects in baseball with the Topps Player of Month Awards and year-end classification all-star teams. “We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with The Topps Company into licensed trading cards,” said Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner. “This provides us with a unique opportunity to continue recognizing the best and brightest minor league talent while providing our fans and collectors high-quality trading card products.”
Earlier this year, Topps became the first exclusive baseball card company of Major League Baseball in nearly 30 years. The company looks to expand its ongoing efforts to invigorate the category, continue launching ground-breaking products, improve the retail and collecting experience and make cards more relevant to children.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Upper Deck Signs Rivera and Petite
New York World Champions Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera Added to the Upper Deck Rotation in 2010
Upper Deck inks legendary pitching duo to an autograph deal
Carlsbad, CA (November 18, 2009) – Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera won their fifth World Championship together this year by besting Philadelphia in the Fall Classic. Now the two hurlers are joining forces with Upper Deck to sign autographs for the company’s 2010 Baseball releases. They reunite with their teammate and Upper Deck exclusive spokesman Derek Jeter on the company’s list of impressive championship baseball talent set to sign for Upper Deck in 2010.
What makes this non-exclusive deal even more exciting is the relative scarcity of both of these player’s signatures in the market. Rivera has had very few signed cards in the market in recent years and Pettitte has not had a signed card in the market since 2005. This, and the fact they just won the title again, will likely have fans in New York and beyond clamoring for these collectibles.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring signature cards of these two iconic players to collectors with our 2010 Upper Deck Baseball releases,” said Gabriel Garcia, Upper Deck’s baseball brand manager. “Their achievements are legendary and we know it will mean a lot to bring the New York faithful closer to their heroes. We are also very excited about some of the multi-signed trading cards we will be able to bring to the market with Pettitte, Rivera and Jeter in particular.”
About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and collectibles company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com.
Upper Deck inks legendary pitching duo to an autograph deal
Carlsbad, CA (November 18, 2009) – Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera won their fifth World Championship together this year by besting Philadelphia in the Fall Classic. Now the two hurlers are joining forces with Upper Deck to sign autographs for the company’s 2010 Baseball releases. They reunite with their teammate and Upper Deck exclusive spokesman Derek Jeter on the company’s list of impressive championship baseball talent set to sign for Upper Deck in 2010.
What makes this non-exclusive deal even more exciting is the relative scarcity of both of these player’s signatures in the market. Rivera has had very few signed cards in the market in recent years and Pettitte has not had a signed card in the market since 2005. This, and the fact they just won the title again, will likely have fans in New York and beyond clamoring for these collectibles.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring signature cards of these two iconic players to collectors with our 2010 Upper Deck Baseball releases,” said Gabriel Garcia, Upper Deck’s baseball brand manager. “Their achievements are legendary and we know it will mean a lot to bring the New York faithful closer to their heroes. We are also very excited about some of the multi-signed trading cards we will be able to bring to the market with Pettitte, Rivera and Jeter in particular.”
About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and collectibles company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sports Card releases for the week of October 12th
October 13th - Upper Deck SP Authentic Baseball
October 14th - Donruss Certified Materials Football
October 14th - Topps Update & Highlights Baseball
October 16th - Upper Deck Black Hockey
Order yours today at DCS Sports Cards!
October 14th - Donruss Certified Materials Football
October 14th - Topps Update & Highlights Baseball
October 16th - Upper Deck Black Hockey
Order yours today at DCS Sports Cards!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sports Card Releases for the week of October 5th
These are the tentative release dates for the week of October 5th. All Release dates are approximate, and subject to change by the manufacturers.
<10/07/2009 2009/10 Panini Prestige Basketball
Check out our great pre-sale prices!
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Check out our great pre-sale prices!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Panini Signs Kobe Bryant to Exclusive NBA Deal!
The Panini Group, the NBA’s exclusive trading card partner, has signed four-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers as its official company spokesman and global trading card ambassador.
Bryant’s exclusive multi-year agreement with Panini includes autographs, memorabilia, and a joint charitable component. The deal is a landmark one for the trading-card industry and will help to re-energize the basketball collectibles market both in the United States and Internationally.
“I am honored to join the Panini family,” Bryant said. “Panini and I are really excited about embracing the challenge of re-igniting the collecting of basketball trading cards and sticker collections … and everyone knows I like challenges! We look forward to building off the momentum generated from last season’s NBA Championship, and taking that energy to another level. I know from my own experience growing up, how fun collecting and trading these products can be. I really believe collecting these products has the power, through the unique emotions of sports, to unify and strengthen bonds within families and across social groups, no matter what age you are. Panini and I are passionate about developing this hobby in many new and exciting ways. All I can say for now is to have fun expecting the unexpected from us!”
Panini’s inaugural first NBA trading card release, Panini Prestige Basketball, will launch on Oct. 7 and will feature the first authentic autographs from Bryant. He also will appear on Panini’s packaging for future NBA trading card releases and within advertising with future television and radio commercials planned.
“Kobe is going to be the face of Panini basketball and help to get kids excited about NBA trading cards,” said Panini Group Licensing Director Peter Warsop. “He will serve as the greatest of ambassadors for Panini basketball products around the world. We couldn’t be more proud to be associated with one of the most spectacular and transcendent athletes on the planet.”
The Panini/Kobe relationship began long before this exclusive agreement, dating back to Bryant’s childhood growing up in Italy. The Panini Group was originally founded in Modena, Italy almost 50 years ago and its corporate headquarters remain there. The Bryant family moved to Italy when Bryant was six years old as his father, former NBA player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, began playing professionally there. Bryant, who speaks fluent Italian, became a huge soccer fan and collected Panini stickers.
Panini remains the global leader in sports and entertainment collectibles and has an exclusive license with FIFA for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
“Signing Kobe shows the depth of commitment that Panini has toward offering the very best of basketball products, be it Trading Cards or Stickers and Albums,” Peter Warsop said. “Kobe’s intense focus and championship drive personifies the traits that Panini has exhibited in becoming the leading publisher of collectibles around the world. He brings enormous excitement not only to the game of basketball, but to collecting as well”
In January 2009, the NBA announced Panini will become the exclusive Trading Card partner of the NBA beginning with the 2009-10 season. The Panini Group purchased the industry's second-oldest Trading-Card company, Donruss, in March and formed the new subsidiary, Panini America, Inc. Since that time, Panini has taken significant steps to fortify its position on the basketball landscape, including an exclusive marketing and advertising partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Upper Deck To release 2009-10 Exquisite Basketball
2009-10 NBA Exquisite will feature standout rookie players and exciting new content paying tribute to the original release six years ago
Carlsbad, CA (September 21, 2009) – When Upper Deck released 2003-04 NBA Exquisite, the trading card market was forever changed. Never before had collectors seen innovative cards packing this much quality which is one of the reasons why a single pack of that product routinely sells for more than $3,000. Today Upper Deck has announced that it will be releasing the company’s final NBA Exquisite set ever later this month. Upper Deck’s 2009-10 NBA Exquisite set will arrive in stores on September 30.
In addition to having Exquisite rookie cards from some of the top 2009-10 NBA draftees, some great retrospective inserts have been created paying homage to the heritage of the Exquisite brand. In 2009-10 Exquisite, Upper Deck honors the most valuable modern day rookie card: 2003-04 LeBron James Exquisite RC (#78). Upper Deck is bringing back that particular card design as a limited insert with some of the sporting world’s biggest names like Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, John Elway, Barry Sanders, Sidney Crosby, and Wayne Gretzky. The ever popular “Triple Logoman Patch” cards and “Dual Logoman Autographed Patch” cards return as well making this Exquisite release a most memorable one.
“It’s awesome to be able to provide collectors with a final exquisite experience in basketball, and this will represent the most limited run we’ve ever done because of the short amount of time we had to bring it to market,” said Brandon Miller, Upper Deck’s basketball brand manager. “There are some cards we included that will have everyone talking starting with the Ricky Rubio autograph rookie cards. This will be the only chance collectors have to pull a Rubio Exquisite rookie so that should be big.”
“Also, we have Upper Deck spokesman Tiger Woods signing dual patch cards with Michael Jordan as well as LeBron James. On one of the Tiger and LeBron cards, they actually inscribed their birthdates on the card as they share the same birthday [Dec. 30].”
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