Nasty Rumor

To the person that asked about jerseys, The NHL/PA will help the new company get an amount. Plus, the season's still goig on, so what they'll be able to do is grab current stock as it becomes available.

As for the exclusives, that will be a tricky one, especially with Crosby. I don't know how long the contract lasts, but knowing Sid's camp, they probably timed their contract to end when the exclusive ended.
 
Vegas, I'm pretty sure that it's not just dollars and cents. There's got to be x-factors in there somewhere. I'd be very, very curious as to what they'd be though, since both ITG and Topps (assuming that they are on the outside looking in) have demonstrated a willingness to produce outside the current restrictions.
 
Fred Bear said:
The issue for me is that it appears, on the surface anyways (since it doesn't appear that anybody has all of the information obviously), that ITG may never have even been considered to become a licensee. By not at least considering and/or talking to Dr. Price, I don't get the sense that the NHL/NHLPA really cares who is buying their licensed products (as long as they are getting paid). Assuming the rumors to be true, it appears that they took the first comers with bags of money and then closed the door.
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I think this could be an assumption. Although it has been confirmed by Dr Price no recent License talks have taken place between ITG the NHL/NHLPA I wouldnt want to suggest the NHL/NHLPA is doing it solely for finnancial reasons.

Perhaps there are underlying issues for the NHL/NHLPA wanting to go a certain direction, that have not only to do with being finnancially viable, that is/will affect the decision, that we may or may not be privied to. Maybe they wont even give Dr Price a reason if he is not granted a license.

In the end ALL of this is speculation and makes the wait to find out what will actually happen all the more unbearable
 
A very simple answer to your question, the NHL and NHLPA is run by idiots. Specifically, the NHL. Look at the current situation going on with hits to the head. Nothing can get resolved on this very serious issue. Also, the talk constantly about wanting to expand their international base and start the season in Europe, but are balking about play in the Olympics in the future. The inmates are running this madhouse, which is very bad for the fans and collectors.

bprice said:
I agree with Chris on this one, its all about money. $$$$$$$$$$$

But here's my question, why don't they make us an offer, even if it is for a ridiculous amount of money and give me the chance to say NO!

That's my gripe.

Are they pissed off that after they gave Upper Deck their monopoly, we didn't go away and fold our tent like others did. Are they trying to punish me for this, I would think they should look at that as dedication to the hobby and our loyal customers.

So all I am saying is that I feel we should be negotiated with, have an opportunity to know what they are asking for and if it is not economically sound, we will pass.

Right now, neither group are talking to us and that is a bad sign.

Brian Price
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Albeit I collect a player who won't see the light of any checklist produced outside of OPC and Victory (Ales being on 4 teams in less than a season...BUF,EDM,NYR,CAL...usually never good for hobby placement), I know I'm probably in minority, but seeing Playoff Absolute, Donruss Elite, Studio, Leaf Certified Materials hockey is very intriguing. Playoff Contenders could rival SPA for on card rookie autos. And if their resurrecting Pacific name brands, think of all the parallel fun with Invincible, Atomic, Private Stock and the like.
 
sabresfan3383 said:
Albeit I collect a player who won't see the light of any checklist produced outside of OPC and Victory (Ales being on 4 teams in less than a season...BUF,EDM,NYR,CAL...usually never good for hobby placement), I know I'm probably in minority, but seeing Playoff Absolute, Donruss Elite, Studio, Leaf Certified Materials hockey is very intriguing. Playoff Contenders could rival SPA for on card rookie autos. And if their resurrecting Pacific name brands, think of all the parallel fun with Invincible, Atomic, Private Stock and the like.
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Hasn't prevented Andrew Ebbett from getting several autograph cards this year.
 
Vegas, you're oversimplifying this and overlooking aspects

There are a number of factors that come into effect, not just whether a company can match the asking price.

Factors could, but likely include the following:
-- participate in and sponsor NHL events (eg. Draft and AS game)
-- participate in and sponsor non-NHL events (eg. Expo)
-- work with partners on co-promotive products (eg. McDonald's, Sunkist)
-- work with alumni
-- reputation
-- planned production

Bottom line like you said is that them NHL is a business, which means they expect to see a business plan.

You have to remember that the upfront dollars are just a piece of the pie. Ultimately there are several parts to any business deal, and anyone who is so foolish to only look at the opening pledge should be dragged out to Bay Street and strung up so they can be publicly ridiculed.

The end game is not just the $ initially - it's the $ that are projected to come in over the course of a contract and the growth of the division as a whole, both in money and reputation.

vegaspuck said:
The NHL is a business. Of course it's about the dollars and cents. People need to take the emotion and morality out of it and look at it the way businesses do. The NHL has way more important issues to deal with like TV ratings, advertising, jersey sales, promoting star players, expanding the game, etc than worry about who wants a hockey card contract. I'm sure when it comes to something like that, they'd have a get it over with and show me the money attitude than sit and debate back and forth with all the parties for months on end when time can be devoted elsewhere.

If you compare the money the NHL gets from hockey cards against other sources of revenue, why would they spend so much time working out some complicated deal over their license? For collectors? They have bigger audiences with deeper pockets that I'm guessing they would rather entice.
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jetsman said:
You have to remember that the upfront dollars are just a piece of the pie. Ultimately there are several parts to any business deal, and anyone who is so foolish to only look at the opening pledge should be dragged out to Bay Street and strung up so they can be publicly ridiculed.

The end game is not just the $ initially - it's the $ that are projected to come in over the course of a contract and the growth of the division as a whole, both in money and reputation.
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but did anyone tell the NHL/PA that? <--that's the real question. :giggity:
 
The way I see it, the NHL should put a pricetag out there for a license to make cards and if anyone is willing to pay it, they should be granted a license NOT AN EXCLUSIVE to one specific company.

Dr. P, is it safe to say you have not had any comminications with the NHL or NHLPA? Write letters, send proposals, product designs? They cant be just shutting you out?
 
This is the stuff that happens when you guys actually spend the money to buy The Cup and UD Black. If you'd all agreed to my boycott, then prices would go down and there would be less enticement for an exclusive.
 
I made a submission to both of them. I visited the NHL months ago. I presented them with complete set outlines, they said they would get back to me. The NHLPA didn't want a presentation, they said they would get back to me.

I have contacted each of them several times since and their standard answer is that they are considering all of their options and would make an announcement in the coming weeks.

Well if they are going to make an announcement in the coming weeks and we are going to be part of their announcement, there is a lot of negotiating to do. But I have not been contacted.

So looks like we are being shutout again. The problem I have is not that we are on the losing end, that's life. My problem is that we weren't even given a chance, something I believe that we deserve.

I am glad for the hobby that the unfair monopoly will be over, that's great. But someone explain to me why we are not being considered.

Brian Price
 
SkyFire47 said:
but did anyone tell the NHL/PA that? <--that's the real question. :giggity:
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I think so Sky. In fairness, both Panini/D/P and UD have been proactive in brand extention. UD has actively worked with NHL partners, producing cards or lending its name to products with McD's, Sunkist and Pepsico, given cards out at arenas, sponsored the Draft show and spent some ad $.

Simlarly, P/D/P has been huge in football outreach, creating the Thanksgiving Day cards (which are given out for free at stadiums), partnered with Pop Warner, done promos with Frito Lay and Pepsico and a bunch of others. Panini also has a strong presence at the Hawaii Trade Conference.
 
My LCS here is very small and purchases usually only a case of a handful of upper deck product. I've purchased all the old ITG left in the store, but no new product arrives.
In 5 months I'm moving to Toronto, and (with the exception of maybe a few masterpieces boxes) I will be purchasing solely ITG products for my remaining time.

The decision to shut out ITG (as appears to be happening) will be a poor one for the NHL, as all it seems to be doing (at least in the small sample size in this thread), is fueling collectors anger with them. Whether UD or Panini has an exclusive or both of them share a license I would hope that ITGs loyal customers will continue on and maybe more as people continue to purchase less of the other companies products...less of those products being purchased will result in less interest in exclusive hockey licenses from manufacturers and end up costing them in the end .... that is if we all put our money where our mouths are :)
 
The above thread is why we stayed in business for five years waiting for this opportunity.

If there is no opportunity afforded to us and collectors still want us to make cards, we will and compete with not only Upper Deck but Panini as well.

Brian Price
 
I Will Only Do ITG from now on, Solid To STELLER products, Dr Price is here, there everywhere and listening, talking and giving his time to make the new products as good as they can get, and looking for our input in Key Products, to me this is as good as it can get,

please Brian, dont stop trukin' your doing an awesome job and the hobby would be so F**king boring without ITG in it,

Thanks.

BTP 10 one week away!
 
I think the NHL/PA looks on Dr. Price as a Jim Balsillie type who rubs them the wrong way and goes against their grain. That's a mental deficiency on their part. Problem with doing that is that the NHL/PA is throwing the baby out with the bathwater, namely us fans, by doing so. Most companies listen to their customers to one extent or another. Seems very narrow minded just to exclude a possible plus for the industry because your feelings were hurt by that company surviving a monopoly. If I were in charge I'd have some major respect for a company like ITG who weathered a five year storm. But hey, that's just me I guess. Regardless, I am an almost 40 year collector and will stand by ITG. The NHL and PA along with their narrow mindedness can kiss my... :rolleyes: -Mike
 
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Thanks for your support Mike but your comments might be better directed towards the NHLPA and not the NHL. The NHLPA is driving the licensing buss not the NHL, in my opinion.

Brian Price
 
bprice said:
Thanks for your support Mike but your comments might be better directed towards the NHLPA and not the NHL. The NHLPA is driving the licensing buss not the NHL, in my opinion.

Brian Price
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I'm an equal opportunity guy Brian ;). They've both incurred my wrath over this exclusive debacle we've endured for 5 looooong years. Plenty of blame to go around, lol. -Mike :beer:
 
bprice said:
If there is no opportunity afforded to us and collectors still want us to make cards, we will and compete with not only Upper Deck but Panini as well.

Brian Price
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That is what we want to hear! Kudos!
 

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