As I am sure you have heard today, MLBPA and Panini have announced a deal that grants them the rights to produce Baseball cards for the foreseeable future. Although it grants them the use of the players themselves, it does not give them the use of the logos or uniforms.
As we saw with Upper Deck, this can be a very big issue, as in any professional sport, the logo is a big part of the player’s brand. UD had some huge balls trying to skirt the issue with airbrushing, but eventually lost, and lost big time. Panini will definitely NOT push the envelope even in the slightest, and shouldnt have any issue, but I dont think they are quite in the game yet either. Topps has it on lockdown currently, and although quality of products have dropped, favor with MLBP has not.
Personally, I am all for competition, and I think this is a very good thing for cards in general. Although I hate just about everything that comes with a Panini logo on it, I really do like them to have the ability to at least try to get better. I think they are lazy, ignorant, and wholly amateur in their design, product theme, and concepts, but that is just my opinion. I think there is always room for another voice in the fray, as it has proven that competition inspires rather than hinders success.
I will also contend that if Panini tries to pull the same shit in baseball that they are infamous for in the other sports, this license will mean even less than it does now. Redemption issues, customer service issues, giving out replacements issues, design issues, value issues, its all there. They need to pull their collective heads out of their asses, and hopefully this new opportunity will present them with a unique opportunity for growth. Again, I HATE exclusive licensing in every sense of the word, more than I hate Panini’s products, and I welcome their entry into the Baseball market.
As a shop owner, this has major needle moving potential. One of my most bummed days owning a store was when DLPS lost their license in 2005.
We saw a lot of loyal customers drop off and while we have sold a lot of EEE each year, it hasn’t been enough for those collectors.
We still bring in loads of Prime Cuts, Diamond Kings, Champions and other 2005 or before releases and have ALREADY had a request for a case of 2012 Panini Prime Cuts Baseball should it be made.
Given the choice, I would have preferred a full license, but this move should be widely accepted.
Without logos/uniforms, the quality of the products will be mediocre, unless all they are planning to do it put out sets filled with patches, relic, and autos and tiny or non-existent player images.
Topps, despite having a virtual monopoly, has put out some excellent products this year (Lineage has been a huge hit) and they show no sign of dropping the ball.
This is truly awesome news and about time.
Topps has dropped the exclusive ball many times since 2010 and seemingly every product has had a major goof….literally, every product.
I assume their products will mirror what they did in 2008 w a mix of prospects, legends and current players.
Sure, logos won’t be shown but honestly, few give a shit about that anyway, as long as its not an “all out cheese fest” ala 1992 bowman high school/ college yr book photos.
Mike, I am also a shop owner and agree with you 100%.
Collectors don’t “give a shit about logos?” Says who? Panini? Sorry, but that sample card up top looks terrible. Josh Hamilton looks like he’s playing in a softball rec league. Also, how has Topps “goofed” in every product since 2010? The last two years of baseball products have been awesome. This year’s Topps Chrome is off the hook.