Nasty Rumor

[cassijon]

I love how everyone is so dismissive of Panini. Really guys.

let's keep a few things in mind:

-- Panini USA is really Donruss/Playoff.
-- Panini has a HUGE stable of hockey brands under its belt, including all of the Score/Pinnacle, Leaf/Donruss and Pacific brands.
-- Panini/D/P has a good number of established brands of its own that have been fantastic in football (and previously in baseball) such as Contenders, Absolute Memorabilia and others.

Now I'm not one that's been wowed by their hoops stuff, but for people to dismiss a company without them even creating a card set is unbelievably short-sighted and does harm that is completely unnecessary. Give a company a couple releases before you start lighting torches and loading your shotguns.

im dismissive of panini because of what they have done with football and because how they have ruined the basketball product.

for them to create garbage for 2 sports, pretty much sums up they cant do anything right in terms of cards.

 

[DCUnited96]

If the rumor came from Beckett, they've always been very supportive of their hometown card producing neighbors. They may be chomping at the bit to get the news out there.

If it's an exclusive, it will be rough sailing. Even if you have everything right, it's very tough to establish the new product lines (even with a stable of old names).

If it's not an exclusive, I think they'll play second or third fiddle for quite some time.

 

[OilersRule]

Not that I am a huge UD fan, but there is no way UD is not still the top dog...I would be literally shocked if I was proved otherwise! Brand recognition will always be a critical component in the eyes of the NHL and how their image is reflected on sports cards.
As for the Panini brand, I would never, ever buy their product on a hobby store shelf. I may pick up a short print of my favorite players, but no brand favoritism from me.

I know many feel the same, but I would actually prefer two companies compete with an NHL License...UD and ITG...and that's it! Any other senario will be a big mistake and likely draw collectors like me away from the hobby.

I have to say pulling an NHL licensed Oilers card from an ITG product, with an insane patch of a current roster player, would be a sweet thing to see! In other words, the day ITG has that NHL logo on the back of their product, 100% of my money goes to them!

 

[Gerber29]

Where has Panini gotten their money? It sure as hell ain't from the Stickers that they've been selling for the last 20-30 years.

I think at the soccer world cup, they sell billions of stickers. Only in Switzerland they have sold about 1 million packs...

 

[mjanko3800]

I would be pro ITG all the way

 

[jasonsportscard]

as long as itg is in the mix i am happy, stopped bying ud products already and focus more on itg these days, also i agree with others about if itg will be there, based on comments we have been seeing, hope thats not the case though

 

[bprice]

Here's what I can add to the mix.

Although we have applied for a license with both the NHL and NHLPA and have repeatedly contacted them for more information about our situation, nothing has been forthcoming.

They continue to say that they are assessing the situation and will get back to us. However it has been quite a while and we have had NO negotiations. Draw your own conclusions.

We are hearing that there will be NO exclusive next year and we are also hearing that Panini is in the mix.

This is not what I would like to be reporting but it where things are at from my position.

Nothing has been fair about the situation so far, we have paid our dues over the last five years and deserve an opportunity, since no negotiations have taken place with us at this late date, I is doubtful that the NHL or NHLPA are giving us anymore than lip service.

Sorry, I wish I had better news for our loyal collectors. But on a bright note, your going to love BTP and Superlative Hockey Volume Two will be out for the Expo and it is our best product ever.

Brian Price

 

[Stadium Sports]

A few comments.

I for one want everyone in the pool - UD/Panini/ITG/Topps. Get the market opened up.

Remember, you don't really miss something until it is gone.

Dr. Price - You have created a following with your products, hopefully that continues. If there is an exclusive again, it does not help you but atleast you are positioned to continually grow based on the products you produce.

I don't think the others will have the balls to take the risk of producing non-NHL cards.

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

I don't like the look and design of the Panini basketball cards however they did get guys like Nowitzki to sign where UD couldn't. I was really rooting for ITG, I was hoping they would be included. I hope your source is wrong or that Dr Price has relocated to Italy

 

[habsheaven]

You have to realize Panini fits perfectly into the plans of the NHL. They are HUGE internationally. And the NHL is always looking at growing their market. They tend to take our support for granted, knowing it will always be there because we are hooked.

 

[bprice]

Maybe the source is right and we are in. I say that because I really like pizza and pasta.

How about this, Panini buys ITG and let's me run the hockey department.

Let's start that rumor, it has a happier ending for me.

Brian Price

 

[justinanika]

I as well heard that Pannini is for sure getting an exclusive or is at least in the mix with another company.

Pannini no money? Stickers no money? In europe I beleive Pannini sells more in stickers then cards sell in North America.

Boycotting Pannini before they even get a chance? I dont understand this. Yes we all want to and are supportive of ITG and what they have done for the hobby, but if for whatever reason they are not included in the mix a boycott of any other brand is at most unrealistic in the big picture anyway, may work on a small local level .

So Pannini may not have done a great job in baskettball so far but they are new so give them a chance, with having the Donruss Pinnacle Brands under their belt I think they should be capable of putting out a decent Hockey product.

And even if the cards are so so for the first year shouldnt we at least welcome a change in the licensed companies customer service, hopefully less or no redemtions, e-mails and phone calls that actualyl get answered?

I personally would like to see a mix of UD/Pannini/ITG but if it dont work like that there are still products from each of them I and most people would be interested in picking up or picking through

 

[habsheaven]

Maybe the source is right and we are in. I say that because I really like pizza and pasta.

How about this, Panini buys ITG and let's me run the hockey department.

Let's start that rumor, it has a happier ending for me.

Brian Price

If that works for you, I am 100% behind it. lol

 

[frankiefives]

Maybe the source is right and we are in. I say that because I really like pizza and pasta.

How about this, Panini buys ITG and let's me run the hockey department.

Let's start that rumor, it has a happier ending for me.

Brian Price

This is exactly what I was thinking. This would be VERY cool as long as they allowed you to run with it and could continue to produce staple brands like H&P, BTP and UM along with new products like Playoff Contenders, Absolute Memorabilia, etc.

 

[sabres77]

It looks like Panini is bringing back some Pacific brands....Crown Royale basketball is set to release soon.

 

[bto3105]

From what I've heard it's all about the money. Companies that are offering big bucks to get a license are being considered. It's how UD bought their way into a hockey exclusive before and how Panini bought an exclusive basketball license.

We can cry about quality, customer service, integrity, and everything else all day long, but it's gonna come back to the almighty dollar and who's willing to offer it once more.

This is so true Chris. It's sad and we the collector have to choose to collect or not to collect what is on the market. If this rumour is true then it's just goes to show you can do everything right and still get the short end of the stick. There is suppose to be a happy ending here

 

[whatagoalie43]

If UD is out of hockey, I know I for one will miss them. Their customer service is crap, their redemption program is a mess, and they are run by a greedy, uncaring SOB or two, but they have designed some of my favourite cards ever made, and with them out of the picture, products like UD1 & 2, and the Cup will really be missed.


I couldn't agree more...

 

[quincy]

While an interesting and well-crafted tidbit of rumour...Methinks I will wait for the announcement before starting in on denouncements, recriminations and posturing.

 

[oasis]

Dr Price you can come work for me should all else fail! You are a trucking guru right? LOL

Just kidding.

In a fair world the NHL and NHLPA would care not only about themselves but their fans, and I dont remember them asking me for my opinion.

If I had my druthers , which apparently i dont, I would choose to stick with two manufacturers. I would give these two choices to ITG and UD! I would hold each accountable for high standards of Customer Service and Quality products so as to not damage or tarnish the "image" achieved by the nhl and nhlpa (i knew i couldnt say that and keep a straight face )!

Dr Price , as I have stated before and reiterate once again, you represent HOCKEY to me, your products are as innovative as they can be in light of no logos, they have a theme, they are fun to bust, set build, collect. You have just the right hint of the past, present and future in EVERY product you release. You dont seem afraid to throw a couple of new ideas against the wall (like the all painted base set from UM a couple of years past). To me that epitomizes what collecting has always been about! You are the HANDCRAFTED MICRO BREW THAT I WOULD CHOOSE TO PARTAKE OF EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE!

Upper deck on the other hand has had the advantage of logos and full color action shots and well everything a company manufacturing cards could want and they have succeeded in bringing us some very memorable products over the last 19 years! YES THEY HAVE THEIR DARK SIDE TOO. (redemptions, replacements, shortages, quality control etc etc etc.. but they are no different than any other mass manufacturer (ie Budweiser, Miller) print it, package it, ship it, sell it and then count the money we made and get ready to do it again! Its always available, everybody has it. Lets see how fast we can get it to market!

I for one could care less which of the MAJOR MASS manufacturers get a license, JUST GIVE BACK ITG THEIRS! To quote a popular Kinks album title "give the people what they want"!

This collector has spoken is anyone listening?

 

[oasis]

BTW did anyone see that Panini is bringing back an old pacific product "crown Royale" to its basketball line!

Havent they heard the old adage "those who dont know history are condemned to repeat it"