Upper Deck Sets the Record Straight on the Future of the Baseball Card Market

[meatmancgy]

Upper Deck Sets the Record Straight on the Future of the Baseball Card Market ​

Carlsbad, CA (August 7, 2009) – On July 2, 2009, The Upper Deck Company and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) announced their renewed partnership to produce baseball trading cards for the upcoming 2010 season, building on the successes of recent years in rebuilding the trading card category through strengthened distribution, consumer-friendly pricing, dynamic products and interactive promotions designed to attract kids to the excitement of baseball cards. This license provides Upper Deck with the rights to feature current Major League Baseball Players on their trading cards, including the game’s most collectible and sought-after superstars.

“Looking ahead to 2010, we are 100% committed to building the highest quality and most innovative baseball cards in the industry,” said Upper Deck CEO Richard McWilliam. “We look forward to announcing more details on our product portfolio in the coming weeks.”

Since its inception in 1989, Upper Deck has been the market leader for both its ability to create top-quality super premium products and to develop innovative programs that promote baseball cards to kids. In the past four years alone, Upper Deck has committed more than $21 million dollars to increase kids’ interest in baseball cards. Through annual television advertising campaigns, numerous retail promotions and online initiatives such as Upper Deck’s Kids Rewards and the current UpperDeckU.com virtual world, Upper Deck has led the way in dramatically increasing household penetration of kids collecting sports cards from 8% in 2005 to a reported 44% in 2008.

The MLBPA license agreement provides access to more than 1,200 current Major League Baseball players, including all of its stars. Fans can look forward to finding cards featuring autographs and pieces of game-used equipment from the biggest names in baseball including Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr., and hundreds more. "Great cards of great players will continue to be the cornerstone of all Upper Deck products,” added McWilliam.

The license agreement between Upper Deck and the MLBPA ensures the company's continued commitment to its existing consumer base, while at the same time building on its extensive investments to stimulate even greater interest among new users and kids.

“We’re looking forward to continuing the partnership with Upper Deck, a licensee that is clearly focused on the long-term growth of the trading card category," said Judy Heeter, MLBPA Director of Business Affairs & Licensing. "We believe strong competition is generally good for consumers, and expect that our ongoing relationships with both Topps and Upper Deck will ensure consumer choices that lead to category growth."

 

[FrankToronto]

said Judy Heeter, MLBPA Director of Business Affairs & Licensing. "We believe strong competition is generally good for consumers, and expect that our ongoing relationships with both Topps and Upper Deck will ensure consumer choices that lead to category growth."

Good to hear that the MLBPA believes in competition. Although they may just be concerned with union revenues whereas the league may have a different perspective on licensing, though their main concern may be revenues as well just in different packaging.

Looks like we'll have the same UD & ITG scenario that we have in hockey with Topps & UD in baseball.

 

[Hama]

Good to hear that the MLBPA believes in competition. Although they may just be concerned with union revenues whereas the league may have a different perspective on licensing, though their main concern may be revenues as well just in different packaging.

Looks like we'll have the same UD & ITG scenario that we have in hockey with Topps & UD in baseball.

The big difference is that the PA has authorized a licence to UD - whereas both bodies didn't do that for ITG in hockey. Heck even Topps operated without an NFL license for a long-time but had a deal with the PA to make cards in the 70s and early 80s - granted times have changed, but it is doable.

With Topps it isn't as much as an issue - since, to my knowledge, they still indivually sign players, most of them as kids in the minors. It may be oversimplifying things, but that's how they were able to get Bonds in their sets when he opted out of the MLBPA Group Licensing Agreement - and then agreed to a separate contract. And even if the PA isn't "in," then Topps can start incorporating prospects who aren't on the 40 man rosters into the sets again - hopefully putting an end to the MLB Rookie Card rules.

 

[bprice]

I wish the NHLPA believed that strong competition is good for consumers and that consumers choices lead to category growth.

Does anyone have a bottle with genie in it?

Things are going to get very, very interesting in the next six months in this industry.

Brian Price

 

[FrankToronto]

The big difference is that the PA has authorized a licence to UD - whereas both bodies didn't do that for ITG in hockey.

That is correct. So it will be like 2004-05 at the very least.