Upper Deck Unveils 2010 Greats of the Game Basketball; First Set Devoted to College
Cards
Sports card giant teams with The Collegiate Licensing Company to deliver
nothing but net with newest basketball card release
Carlsbad, CA (April 8, 2010) - Hot on the heels of Duke's thrilling 61-59 triumph
over Butler in Monday night's NCAA(r) Men's Basketball title game, the Upper Deck
Company is proud to announce the release of its first collegiate-focused sports
trading card set: 2010 Greats of the Game Basketball. With its recently inked
exclusive contract with The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), Upper Deck pulled
out all the stops with its slam-dunk launch featuring some of the greatest
collegiate roundball stars in history.
"Our 2010 Greats of the Game Basketball release represents one of our most popular
basketball brands from years past and now it's making its return as a stand-alone
product," said Brandon Miller, Upper Deck's CLC brand manager. "It is well
positioned to thrill hoops fans with strong collegiate content featuring autographs
from the likes of Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
The 200-card base set is chock full of the biggest names who have ever played
collegiate basketball, as well as a few standouts who bypassed college all together
before joining the ranks of professional basketball, and includes four 25-card
subsets spotlighting the best of the best. The four subsets include "Big Man on
Campus" featuring names such as Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston), Danny Manning (Kansas)
and Bill Laimbeer (Notre Dame); "Banner Season," which celebrates winning campaigns
posted by the likes of UNLV, Duke and UCLA; "Old School," which pays tribute to
college stars like Larry Bird (Indiana State), John Stockton (Gonzaga) and Bill
Walton (UCLA); and "Glory Days," a compilation of stellar moments coming from Alonzo
Mourning (Georgetown), Derrick Rose (Memphis) and Calbert Cheaney (Indiana). Some of
the players featured who made the leap to pro ball without ever attending college
include Moses Malone, Vlade Divac and LeBron James.
Beyond the aforementioned base-level cards, Upper Deck's Greats of the Game
Basketball brings collectors some of the most sought-after insert cards ever
assembled. The memorabilia insert card lineup is entitled "Old School Swatches" (one
per box, on average) and highlights players like George Gervin (Eastern Michigan)
and David Robinson (Navy), while the autographed inserts boast varied numbering
across an assortment of lineups including "Memorable Monikers," "School Pride" and
"Legends of the Hall." Autographed parallels of the regular base cards are also
sprinkled in with one version numbered to 199 and the other numbered to 50.
"Fans and collectors have been asking for comprehensive collegiate trading card sets
for a long time," said David Kirkpatrick, Vice President of Non-Apparel Marketing
for The Collegiate Licensing Company. "The team at Upper Deck has assembled this
tremendous collection of many of the best players in college basketball history. The
2010 Greats of the Game set is the first collective project in our new partnership.
The collegiate institutions and CLC are looking forward to working closely with
Upper Deck to maximize the tremendous opportunities that exist for licensed
collegiate trading cards."
The product, currently on store shelves, includes eight cards per pack, 16 packs per
box.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Upper Deck Loses NFL Card License
Upper Deck announced Wednesday evening that it will no longer be licensed to produce NFL trading cards, ending weeks of speculation about what the beleaguered manufacturer’s status for the future might be.
Upper Deck spokesman Terry Melia commented on the decision via one of the company’s Twitter accounts, saying “This just in: UD was unable to come to terms with NFL Properties. No NFL Properties-licensed football cards from UD in 2010. Bummer.”
In a formal statement, Upper Deck owner Richard McWilliam said the company will instead put its focus on its exclusive with the Collegiate Licensing Company and its NHL products after the end of its 19-year run with the NFL
“Over the past year, Upper Deck has attempted to negotiate a new licensing deal with NFL Properties,” McWilliam said. “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were not able to reach agreeable terms, and therefore will not be issuing any NFL Properties-licensed trading cards for the 2010 season. Upper Deck will continue to focus on its exclusive license agreement with the Collegiate Licensing Company and co-exclusive agreements with NHL Enterprises and the NHL Players’ Association, as well as its multiple entertainment licenses.”
An additional Twitter comment on an Upper Deck account states that the company’s recently released Exquisite line “will be the last one for NFL for the immediate future.”
At this time last year, the Carlsbad, Calif.-based company was a licensee of Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL and the exclusive licensee of NHL cards. Going forward right now, the company has just a MLB Players Association licensing agreement and the NHL, which is no longer an exclusive
Upper Deck spokesman Terry Melia commented on the decision via one of the company’s Twitter accounts, saying “This just in: UD was unable to come to terms with NFL Properties. No NFL Properties-licensed football cards from UD in 2010. Bummer.”
In a formal statement, Upper Deck owner Richard McWilliam said the company will instead put its focus on its exclusive with the Collegiate Licensing Company and its NHL products after the end of its 19-year run with the NFL
“Over the past year, Upper Deck has attempted to negotiate a new licensing deal with NFL Properties,” McWilliam said. “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were not able to reach agreeable terms, and therefore will not be issuing any NFL Properties-licensed trading cards for the 2010 season. Upper Deck will continue to focus on its exclusive license agreement with the Collegiate Licensing Company and co-exclusive agreements with NHL Enterprises and the NHL Players’ Association, as well as its multiple entertainment licenses.”
An additional Twitter comment on an Upper Deck account states that the company’s recently released Exquisite line “will be the last one for NFL for the immediate future.”
At this time last year, the Carlsbad, Calif.-based company was a licensee of Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL and the exclusive licensee of NHL cards. Going forward right now, the company has just a MLB Players Association licensing agreement and the NHL, which is no longer an exclusive
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Upper Deck Unveils 2009 Exquisite Collection Football!
Upper Deck Unveils 2009 Exquisite Collection Football!
Bonus pack of one autographed memorabilia card included in every box!
Carlsbad, CA (March 30, 2010) – When it comes to celebrating the best of today’s top-flight talent in the NFL, the Upper Deck Company has hit paydirt with its latest product release: 2009 Exquisite Collection Football. One of Upper Deck’s most highly coveted offerings, Exquisite Collection Football delivers three hard-signed autographs in every box with a bonus pack containing an additional single- or dual-autographed book card!
“This is our most anticipated product of the year,” said Brandon Miller, Upper Deck’s Football brand manager. “Every year we hand pack this product to ensure the greatest possible value in every box for our consumers. We see firsthand some of the amazing autographs, inscriptions and patches that are set to blow away our Exquisite collectors and we can’t wait to see and hear their responses once the cards reach the open market.”
The Upper Deck Facebook and Twitter sites featured live postings from the Exquisite packout chronicling the process and included an impressive array of card images snapped just prior to being put into their respective boxes. Images can be found at the Upper Deck Sports Blog: http://upperdeckblog.com/2010/03/brag-photo-of-the-week-simply-exquisite/.
The bonus pack in every box, featuring elegantly designed Exquisite Autobiography or Exquisite Rookie Bookmarks cards, reflect outstanding player selection, photography and value as an additional single or dual-signed card. The set’s regular base cards are numbered to 80, Rookie Signatures are numbered to 99, and the Rookie Signature Patch cards are numbers to 225 or less. But that’s just the start of this windfall for gridiron fans!
Beyond the aforementioned cards, Exquisite Collection Football brings collectors some of the classiest assortments of specialty cards ever offered. The autographed and memorabilia insert card lineup seems endless. You have “Exquisite Rare Materials” (numbered to 35) and its tag parallel (numbered to 10); “Exquisite Dual and Quad Logo Signatures” (numbered to 1); and “Exquisite Inscriptions” (numbered to 15). You will also find “Exquisite Patch” cards (numbered to 75); dual patch cards (numbered to 50); triple patch cards (numbered to 25); and quad patch cards (numbered to 20).
Moving right along, the “Exquisite Endorsements Signatures” autograph cards include the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Ray Lewis and Peyton Manning, while the “Exquisite Signature Nameplates” sport top-tier names like former Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Hall-of-Fame QB Dan Marino and 2007 Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson. Top rookies from the Class of 2009 are highlighted throughout the product with standouts like Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford sharing a dual-signed “Exquisite Ensemble Signatures” card, and the foursome of Knowshon Moreno, Chris “Beanie” Wells, Donald Brown and LeSean McCoy adorning a beautifully designed quad-signed “Ensemble 4 Signatures” card.
Whether it’s “Endorsements Parallel” cards numbered to 15, “Bio Script Signatures” numbered to 5, or “Legendary Signature” cards numbered to 25, there’s something special inside every pack of Upper Deck’s 2009 Exquisite Collection Football.
The product, currently on store shelves, includes six cards per pack plus an additional book card bonus pack in every hobby box.
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.
###
Bonus pack of one autographed memorabilia card included in every box!
Carlsbad, CA (March 30, 2010) – When it comes to celebrating the best of today’s top-flight talent in the NFL, the Upper Deck Company has hit paydirt with its latest product release: 2009 Exquisite Collection Football. One of Upper Deck’s most highly coveted offerings, Exquisite Collection Football delivers three hard-signed autographs in every box with a bonus pack containing an additional single- or dual-autographed book card!
“This is our most anticipated product of the year,” said Brandon Miller, Upper Deck’s Football brand manager. “Every year we hand pack this product to ensure the greatest possible value in every box for our consumers. We see firsthand some of the amazing autographs, inscriptions and patches that are set to blow away our Exquisite collectors and we can’t wait to see and hear their responses once the cards reach the open market.”
The Upper Deck Facebook and Twitter sites featured live postings from the Exquisite packout chronicling the process and included an impressive array of card images snapped just prior to being put into their respective boxes. Images can be found at the Upper Deck Sports Blog: http://upperdeckblog.com/2010/03/brag-photo-of-the-week-simply-exquisite/.
The bonus pack in every box, featuring elegantly designed Exquisite Autobiography or Exquisite Rookie Bookmarks cards, reflect outstanding player selection, photography and value as an additional single or dual-signed card. The set’s regular base cards are numbered to 80, Rookie Signatures are numbered to 99, and the Rookie Signature Patch cards are numbers to 225 or less. But that’s just the start of this windfall for gridiron fans!
Beyond the aforementioned cards, Exquisite Collection Football brings collectors some of the classiest assortments of specialty cards ever offered. The autographed and memorabilia insert card lineup seems endless. You have “Exquisite Rare Materials” (numbered to 35) and its tag parallel (numbered to 10); “Exquisite Dual and Quad Logo Signatures” (numbered to 1); and “Exquisite Inscriptions” (numbered to 15). You will also find “Exquisite Patch” cards (numbered to 75); dual patch cards (numbered to 50); triple patch cards (numbered to 25); and quad patch cards (numbered to 20).
Moving right along, the “Exquisite Endorsements Signatures” autograph cards include the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Ray Lewis and Peyton Manning, while the “Exquisite Signature Nameplates” sport top-tier names like former Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Hall-of-Fame QB Dan Marino and 2007 Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson. Top rookies from the Class of 2009 are highlighted throughout the product with standouts like Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford sharing a dual-signed “Exquisite Ensemble Signatures” card, and the foursome of Knowshon Moreno, Chris “Beanie” Wells, Donald Brown and LeSean McCoy adorning a beautifully designed quad-signed “Ensemble 4 Signatures” card.
Whether it’s “Endorsements Parallel” cards numbered to 15, “Bio Script Signatures” numbered to 5, or “Legendary Signature” cards numbered to 25, there’s something special inside every pack of Upper Deck’s 2009 Exquisite Collection Football.
The product, currently on store shelves, includes six cards per pack plus an additional book card bonus pack in every hobby box.
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.
###
Saturday, March 27, 2010
NFL PLAYERS RENEWS TRADING CARD AGREEMENTS WITH PANINI, UPPER DECK
By Liz Mullen, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
NFL Players, the NFLPA's marketing and licensing arm, has agreed to renew the trading card licenses for Panini and Upper Deck for the '10 and '11 seasons. The organization formerly had issued four licenses to Panini, Upper Deck, Topps and Press Pass, but it made a conscious decision to reduce the number of licenses because of "the saturation of the trading card industry," said NFL Players President Keith Gordon. "There are too many products out there," he added.
Gordon would not reveal financial terms of the deals but said the license deals for the '10 and '11 seasons would increase even though there are two fewer licenses that were granted. Gordon: "The deals are structured so there is an increase in overall revenue, which means license fee and overall player compensation."
The NHLPA and NHL earlier this week also announced multi-year trading card licensing agreements with Panini and Upper Deck.
NFL Players, the NFLPA's marketing and licensing arm, has agreed to renew the trading card licenses for Panini and Upper Deck for the '10 and '11 seasons. The organization formerly had issued four licenses to Panini, Upper Deck, Topps and Press Pass, but it made a conscious decision to reduce the number of licenses because of "the saturation of the trading card industry," said NFL Players President Keith Gordon. "There are too many products out there," he added.
Gordon would not reveal financial terms of the deals but said the license deals for the '10 and '11 seasons would increase even though there are two fewer licenses that were granted. Gordon: "The deals are structured so there is an increase in overall revenue, which means license fee and overall player compensation."
The NHLPA and NHL earlier this week also announced multi-year trading card licensing agreements with Panini and Upper Deck.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Upper Deck Renews Trading Card License
Upper Deck Renews Trading Card License
with the NHLPA and the NHL®
Multi-year, co-exclusive licensing agreement is reached,
keeping Upper Deck atop the hockey trading card world
Carlsbad, CA (March 25, 2010) – The Upper Deck Company is excited to announce that it has reached a multi-year, co-exclusive trading card licensing agreement with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL®) today. This much-anticipated accord maintains Upper Deck’s longstanding partnership with both entities and keeps the Carlsbad-based hockey card manufacturer producing the industry’s most sought-after hockey cards.
“Upper Deck is very pleased to continue its 20-year trading card partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL,” said Richard McWilliam, Upper Deck’s Founder and CEO. “Since 2005, through its exclusive partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL, Upper Deck has taken the category and Upper Deck’s hockey brands to unimaginable levels. For the past 20 years, Upper Deck has been the only licensed company consistently producing NHL trading cards. We will continue to deliver high-end excitement and innovation and I am happy to say, our best is yet to come.”
"We moved to an exclusive model in the NHL player trading card category five years ago and Upper Deck was the right partner to undertake that responsibility," said Adam Larry, NHLPA Director of Licensing. "Working with Upper Deck, we have seen a steady growth of the hockey card category during that time. The current stability of the category now enables the NHLPA to grant a license to both Upper Deck and Panini as the NHLPA feels this is the best way to meet the growing demand and needs of collectors."
“The NHL is pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with Upper Deck,” said Dave McCarthy, Vice President of Integrated Marketing, NHL. “Throughout their tenure as a trading card licensee and more recently as the exclusive manufacturer of NHL trading cards they have created ‘must-have’ products, encouraged a new generation of collectors and have been a fully engaged business partner on every level. We look forward to continuing to build this fan-favorite category as we move forward.”
For Upper Deck, the announcement marks a new chapter in the company’s 20-year partnership with the NHL and the NHLPA, one that saw Upper Deck operate as the exclusive NHL player trading card manufacturer since the 2005-06 NHL season. The innovative releases Upper Deck has brought to market, along with engaging marketing programs like “Biography of a Season,” “Hockey Card Heaven” and its annual “National Hockey Card Day” initiative have helped re-energize the NHL trading card division. Young stars like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, Steven Stamkos and John Tavares have helped showcase the great sport of hockey while encouraging fans to collect rookie cards of their favorite players.
The 2010-11 NHL trading card season is scheduled to launch with Upper Deck’s Victory line in August followed by more outstanding products on the horizon.
with the NHLPA and the NHL®
Multi-year, co-exclusive licensing agreement is reached,
keeping Upper Deck atop the hockey trading card world
Carlsbad, CA (March 25, 2010) – The Upper Deck Company is excited to announce that it has reached a multi-year, co-exclusive trading card licensing agreement with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL®) today. This much-anticipated accord maintains Upper Deck’s longstanding partnership with both entities and keeps the Carlsbad-based hockey card manufacturer producing the industry’s most sought-after hockey cards.
“Upper Deck is very pleased to continue its 20-year trading card partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL,” said Richard McWilliam, Upper Deck’s Founder and CEO. “Since 2005, through its exclusive partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL, Upper Deck has taken the category and Upper Deck’s hockey brands to unimaginable levels. For the past 20 years, Upper Deck has been the only licensed company consistently producing NHL trading cards. We will continue to deliver high-end excitement and innovation and I am happy to say, our best is yet to come.”
"We moved to an exclusive model in the NHL player trading card category five years ago and Upper Deck was the right partner to undertake that responsibility," said Adam Larry, NHLPA Director of Licensing. "Working with Upper Deck, we have seen a steady growth of the hockey card category during that time. The current stability of the category now enables the NHLPA to grant a license to both Upper Deck and Panini as the NHLPA feels this is the best way to meet the growing demand and needs of collectors."
“The NHL is pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with Upper Deck,” said Dave McCarthy, Vice President of Integrated Marketing, NHL. “Throughout their tenure as a trading card licensee and more recently as the exclusive manufacturer of NHL trading cards they have created ‘must-have’ products, encouraged a new generation of collectors and have been a fully engaged business partner on every level. We look forward to continuing to build this fan-favorite category as we move forward.”
For Upper Deck, the announcement marks a new chapter in the company’s 20-year partnership with the NHL and the NHLPA, one that saw Upper Deck operate as the exclusive NHL player trading card manufacturer since the 2005-06 NHL season. The innovative releases Upper Deck has brought to market, along with engaging marketing programs like “Biography of a Season,” “Hockey Card Heaven” and its annual “National Hockey Card Day” initiative have helped re-energize the NHL trading card division. Young stars like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, Steven Stamkos and John Tavares have helped showcase the great sport of hockey while encouraging fans to collect rookie cards of their favorite players.
The 2010-11 NHL trading card season is scheduled to launch with Upper Deck’s Victory line in August followed by more outstanding products on the horizon.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
It's Official - Panini will produce Hockey Cards in 2010/11!
The NHLPA is excited to renew our long-term partnership with Upper Deck and to welcome Panini into the hockey trading card marketplace,” said Adam Larry, NHLPA Director of Licensing. “We look forward to working with both of these companies to provide quality NHL player products and exciting new choices for fans and collectors of all ages.”
“Having considered the input from all stakeholders, we have concluded that a semi-exclusive model would bring customer choice, revive legacy brands and add new and innovative products and marketing initiatives that appeal to all consumer segments,” said Dave McCarthy, Vice President of Integrated Marketing, NHL.
“Upper Deck is very pleased to continue its 20-year trading card partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL,” said Richard McWilliam, Upper Deck’s Founder and CEO. “Since 2005, through its exclusive partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL, Upper Deck has taken the category and Upper Deck’s hockey brands to unimaginable levels. For the past 20 years, Upper Deck has been the only licensed company consistently producing NHL trading cards. We will continue to deliver high-end excitement and innovation and I am happy to say, our best is yet to come.”
“Panini is delighted to be extending its partnership with both the NHLPA and NHL to produce trading cards; this further establishes Panini’s strategy to rapidly become the most comprehensive publisher of trading cards domestically and enhance the presence of North American sports,” said Mark Warsop, CEO Panini America, Inc. “We are extremely excited about growing hockey trading card sales through our extensive marketing programs, and by bringing back heritage brands such as Zenith, Score and Crown Royale.”
“Having considered the input from all stakeholders, we have concluded that a semi-exclusive model would bring customer choice, revive legacy brands and add new and innovative products and marketing initiatives that appeal to all consumer segments,” said Dave McCarthy, Vice President of Integrated Marketing, NHL.
“Upper Deck is very pleased to continue its 20-year trading card partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL,” said Richard McWilliam, Upper Deck’s Founder and CEO. “Since 2005, through its exclusive partnership with the NHLPA and the NHL, Upper Deck has taken the category and Upper Deck’s hockey brands to unimaginable levels. For the past 20 years, Upper Deck has been the only licensed company consistently producing NHL trading cards. We will continue to deliver high-end excitement and innovation and I am happy to say, our best is yet to come.”
“Panini is delighted to be extending its partnership with both the NHLPA and NHL to produce trading cards; this further establishes Panini’s strategy to rapidly become the most comprehensive publisher of trading cards domestically and enhance the presence of North American sports,” said Mark Warsop, CEO Panini America, Inc. “We are extremely excited about growing hockey trading card sales through our extensive marketing programs, and by bringing back heritage brands such as Zenith, Score and Crown Royale.”
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Panini Gets Hockey License?
Breaking News: Panini to Join Upper Deck in Hockey Card Market
By Chris Olds
3/24/2010 11:06:34 AM
According to multiple sources close to the situation, the National Hockey League and NHL PA are expected to announce today that Panini America will join Upper Deck as licensed trading card manufacturers for the 2010-11 season and possibly beyond.
The move has been rumored for months and is another in a long line of licensing decisions that has dramatically reshaped the sports trading card industry in the last 14 months.
Panini taking the trading card ice shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, seeing as how the Italian-based company has been producing licensed NHL stickers and sticker albums for years.
It’s interesting to note that the Panini America brand portfolio includes popular, hockey-related brand names from the defunct Pacific Trading Cards as well as its own Score and Donruss lines.
By Chris Olds
3/24/2010 11:06:34 AM
According to multiple sources close to the situation, the National Hockey League and NHL PA are expected to announce today that Panini America will join Upper Deck as licensed trading card manufacturers for the 2010-11 season and possibly beyond.
The move has been rumored for months and is another in a long line of licensing decisions that has dramatically reshaped the sports trading card industry in the last 14 months.
Panini taking the trading card ice shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, seeing as how the Italian-based company has been producing licensed NHL stickers and sticker albums for years.
It’s interesting to note that the Panini America brand portfolio includes popular, hockey-related brand names from the defunct Pacific Trading Cards as well as its own Score and Donruss lines.
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