according to other site panini joins the NHL License

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jasonsportscard

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taken from that other site


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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I am saddened that ITG was not invited to the table, but at the same time I am pleased that it is opening up to competition.
 
I'm willing to give them a chance here. I don't collect basketball so I can't comment on what they've done there and relying solely on hearsay isn't my thing. I wish that ITG was invited to the table, though.
 
If this is indeed true it's a shame for the folks at ITG. Really don't know what to think of the latest
 
For the public record.

We were never offered a license, so it was not a matter of not offering enough money.

We made our presentations and got NO follow up.

You decide if their intentions were honorable.

Brian Price
 
If true, I am extremely disappointed that ITG did not get a fair chance to make a bid on a license, as although I pick up the odd UD card, ITG is the main reason I'm in the hobby at all. Of course I'm glad to hear that the exclusive seems to have ended, and will wait and see what happens, but I am pretty certain I'll still be directing almost all of my hobby bucks towards ITG products.
 
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well i posted on ud facebook page, and they replied that they won't have a comment till official statement is made about future releases and product lineup, not that it matters much to me, as like most have gone the way of ITG
 
Ding! Dong!! The Exclusive is dead!! (assuming this report is true)

However, it is unfortunate that ITG isn't back in the NHL licensed game. If Dr Price can hang in until the end of this latest licensing deal, I highly recommend getting more brand recognition within the general population. I think that's the ONLY negative towards ITG. Panani and Upper Deck are household names for the hobby -- especially in the kid demographic. ITG should target this area. They have already mastered product integrity and customer service. They now just have to get their name out there more. Continue with the product promos for the local shops (like 1972: The Year in Hockey). Perhaps distribute sell sheets. My LCS has an Upcoming Products board plastered with UD sell sheets but I don't recall seeing any ITG sheets. Continue a focus on the CHL/AHL and perhaps arrange arena give-aways, etc. Do a promo for Hockey Day in Canada. The Cross Canada Tour is a great idea and I hope it pays a visit to the KW area soon.

Just a few thoughts for what they're worth.
 
webottew said:
Ding! Dong!! The Exclusive is dead!! (assuming this report is true)

However, it is unfortunate that ITG isn't back in the NHL licensed game. If Dr Price can hang in until the end of this latest licensing deal, I highly recommend getting more brand recognition within the general population. I think that's the ONLY negative towards ITG. Panani and Upper Deck are household names for the hobby -- especially in the kid demographic. ITG should target this area. They have already mastered product integrity and customer service. They now just have to get their name out there more. Continue with the product promos for the local shops (like 1972: The Year in Hockey). Perhaps distribute sell sheets. My LCS has an Upcoming Products board plastered with UD sell sheets but I don't recall seeing any ITG sheets. Continue a focus on the CHL/AHL and perhaps arrange arena give-aways, etc. Do a promo for Hockey Day in Canada. The Cross Canada Tour is a great idea and I hope it pays a visit to the KW area soon.

Just a few thoughts for what they're worth.
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problem with ITG's niche market is that most of the players' names aren't "household" names thus less of a reason for the kids to collect cards of unfamiliar players who aren't pictured on their favorite teams. if anything, it'd be cool to see ITG pursue the retail route through Target and Walmart. that'd certainly get the name out a little more.

other than that, i'm glad to see UD will seem to be hanging around. no opinion yet on Panini.
 
Again, for the record. I am truly sorry that we were not given a chance at getting our licenses back. However, I am thrilled that the Upper Deck monopoly is over and collectors will have a choice in their purchases.

We will continue to produce cards for our loyal collectors as long as they want us to.

Maybe one day the NHLPA will make public the reason they would not consider us for licensing knowing that they were once our partners.

Brian Price
 
although im dissapointed ITG didn't get a license, but i am extremely happy the exclusive is over and looking forward to what panini can offer.
 
While I'm glad the exclusive is over, I'm disappointed. By not offering In The Game a licence, the NHL & NHLPA have effectively done a disservice to hockey and its fans.

I hope Panini makes a contribution to the hobby, but truthfully what does the end of the exclusive really mean? Will UD still produce the same number of products that they already do or has there been any rationing out to Panini? Because if they do then really all this means is more product releases and the creativity dries up pretty fast when two companies are squeezing out 30+ sets.

Will we even know how many releases each company has before the end of the 2010-11 season?
 
RGM81 said:
Official notice from the NHLPA: http://nhlpa.com/News/Media-Releases/Details.aspx?R=9C9EE781-E755-45FF-9957-DE863439DA2F

Score is to be the first Panini release. Also mentioned were Zenith and Crown Royale.
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I'm going to try to remain optimistic, really I am, but I couldn't help but feel a little sick reading that press release.

We always discuss the hobby and what's necessary for it to be strengthened, but when Dave McCarthy states “Having considered the input from all stakeholders", did our cries really get to him and Adam Leary or is this just lip service?
 

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