Q: with panini losing their license....

[matthewstevens43]

with Panini no longer doing hockey does this mean that Upper Deck with get Gordie Howe back in their product??

As much as I initially thought this would be bad for the hobby, if this is the case then we can once again have all the big names in one product....

 

[jetsman]

Gordie would still need to sign a contract with UD. Remember - he has one with ITG, and just because Panini doesn't have a hockey license doesn't mean they won't still produce hockey cards.

 

[pwag31]

Gordie would still need to sign a contract with UD. Remember - he has one with ITG, and just because Panini doesn't have a hockey license doesn't mean they won't still produce hockey cards.

Exactly, we may seem something like UD does with Jordan and Lebron, even though they do not have a license with the NBA.

Paul

 

[g-force]

I seriously doubt Panini will continue producing hockey cards without a license. They have much more profitable licenses that they will put their attention to. It is unlikely we will see Panini hockey products beyond this year unless they get another license in the future.

 

[thorn]

What would be more awful than Panini hockey cards without a license. ITG does it well so we do not need another company to their space.

 

[Drewphoria]

Technically, Panini could probably put Gordie Howe in other products... multi-sport, etc.

 

[PensFan1974]

I wouldn't be surprised if Panini continues to makes hockey cards. The make baseball without a license and dome of the designs from Crown Royale look like they could be done without logos. Like Sovereign Sigs, Heirs to the Throne especially look like cards that could be done without team logos.

 

[LeafGregg]

I wouldn't be surprised if Panini continues to makes hockey cards. The make baseball without a license and dome of the designs from Crown Royale look like they could be done without logos. Like Sovereign Sigs, Heirs to the Throne especially look like cards that could be done without team logos.

but they do have an MLBPA license which allows them access to players, they won't have that with Hockey

 

[habscards]

I would have to assume that Panini still plans on doing something hockey related for next year for one reason only...

What will they do with the remaining memorabilia that they have? They have to get rid of it somehow and unless Upper Deck or ITG plan on buying it from them it will have to be put to use some how.

 

[quincy]

Without a hockey license, Panini/Donruss was still putting some hockey-themed cards on the market through vehicles like Americana. I don't doubt that this will continue.

 

[gomaz]

I would love to see Panini and ITG going head to head in the unlicensed arena. ITG has their customers loyalty and vintage memorabilia in their corner while Panini has the financial resources (I assume) and the design department in theirs.

Have to wonder what the landscape would look like after a couple years of two established companies doing high-quality unlicensed cards...

 

[Triple B]

I would love to see Panini and ITG going head to head in the unlicensed arena. ITG has their customers loyalty and vintage memorabilia in their corner while Panini has the financial resources (I assume) and the design department in theirs.

Have to wonder what the landscape would look like after a couple years of two established companies doing high-quality unlicensed cards...

...but do you think that Panini would want to risk angering the NHL and NHLPA and ruining their chances of stepping in again once the current exclusive is over?
I don't think I read the length of the exclusive...

I personally think that they will step away from hockey. Maybe go the Americana route or inserting hockey autos as bonus inserts in other products.

 

[gomaz]

...but do you think that Panini would want to risk angering the NHL and NHLPA and ruining their chances of stepping in again once the current exclusive is over?
I don't think I read the length of the exclusive...

I personally think that they will step away from hockey. Maybe go the Americana route or inserting hockey autos as bonus inserts in other products.

I really have no idea what impact that would have on future negotiations. We all know that money talks and Panini apparently can scream quite loud so tough to say if that would have an impact. It's all speculation.

I am not suggesting that Panini will make unlicensed cards, I am just saying that I hope they do.

 

[notoriousrob101]

IMO they will release unlicensed cards. Why not? Lots of stickers and memorabilia, technology, staff, and logistics are already in place. They have already established themselves in the markets place. It would be foolish to disappear from Hockey then apply for a license years later.

 

[Dewwen]

Has any card company made a full run of unlicensed sets for a year or more and then gotten their license back?