One thing that still is effecting the Basketball market is the exclusive license of Panini with the NBA. Panini put out some amazing products last season, even living up to the level of Exquisite with the National Treasures patches, but one thing is missing. The biggest event leading up to the season was Lebron James going to the Heat, and Lebron is still exclusive to Upper Deck. It’s hard on the NBA market that one of the top superstars in the league will not sign with the exclusive company of the league. David Stern get to work on this, just don’t make Lebron play Baseball or something over it.

John Wall comes in to the league with a ton of hype and should help carry this years products to a good deal of success. Last years products could even get a boost if Blake Griffin comes out and performs as everyone expected him to. I’m looking forward to this season and have to give Panini a lot of credit for having the best company ran blog covering all their products.

Arlington, Texas (August 18, 2010) – Panini America (www.paniniamerica.net) , a subsidiary of The Panini Group, the leading global publisher of sports and entertainment collectibles, has entered into an exclusive relationship with John Wall, the first overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. The partnership with Panini America, the exclusive trading card and sticker licensee of the NBA, marks Wall’s first in the collectibles category.

As part of the relationship, Panini will hold exclusive rights to Wall’s signature for both trading cards and memorabilia. In addition, Panini will include Wall’s image on Panini packaging and will utilize Wall in promotional appearances.

Wall, a player at the University of Kentucky, decided to forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility after being named both the 2010 SEC Tournament MVP and SEC Player of the Year. In addition, the NBA named Wall 2010 Las Vegas Summer League Most Outstanding Player. His first NBA cards will be included in Panini’s 2010 NBA Prestige product, set to arrive in stores at the end of September. The collection will include cards from other top rookies including the 76ers number two draft pick, Evan Turner; New Jersey Nets, Derrick Favors; Minnesota Timberwolves, Wesley Johnson and Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins.

“We are excited to be adding John Wall to the Panini team as one of our exclusive athletes,” said Mark Warsop, CEO Panini America, Inc. “We identified John as someone we thought fit well with the Panini brand and his success during the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League has us excited for the start of the season. We feel that John, Evan (Turner) and Wesley (Johnson) will help bring excitement to trading card collectors worldwide.”

Panini recently made news by announcing exclusive agreements with 76ers rookie Evan Turner and Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Wesley Johnson. In advance of Panini’s first season as the exclusive trading card for the NBA in 2009-10, Panini signed Sacramento Kings Guard and NBA Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans; Milwaukee Bucks Guard Brandon Jennings and the Los Angeles Clippers Forward and first pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, Blake Griffin. Panini also has an exclusive relationship with five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I’m excited to be joining the Panini team,” said Washington Wizards rookie John Wall. “We’ve got a great group of rookies representing Panini with Evan Turner and Wesley Johnson joining me. With last year’s rookies Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings having great seasons we look forward to making our own noise and helping to grow the trading card category and getting kids excited about collecting again.”

As the leading global publisher of sports and entertainment collectibles, Panini has license agreements with three of the major U.S. sports, including the NFL/NFLPA, NHL/NHLPA and an Exclusive Trading Card and Sticker Partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). Panini’s other partnerships include an exclusive license with FIFA for the 2010 and 2014 World Cup, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Panini also has a successful collectibles business with consumer brands including DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon, Disney’s Toy Story 3, Hannah Montana and High School Musical, and Warner Brothers’ Harry Potter.

Ship Date: Oct 26, 2009
Pack SRP: $1.99
Configuration: 12 cards per pack, 36 packs per box

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Find randomly inserted “Next Day” authentic autographs of the top NBA rookies. The shots were taken at the NBA Rookie Photo Shoot, printed an…d signed on-card the next day by each player.

Artist Proof which includes 300 players from the 2008-09 campaign and 50 rookies!

Headliners highlighted by: Kobe Bryant being named MVP of the 2009 NBA Finals, Derrick Rose winning 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year, Nate Robinson winning the 2009 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and LeBron James claiming his first NBA MVP award.

Click here to view full release

NBA NAMES PANINI EXCLUSIVE TRADING CARD PARTNER

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2009 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a new exclusive, multiyear licensing agreement with The Panini Group – the leading global publisher of collectibles. The new partnership will focus on redefining the domestic NBA trading card category by enhancing the relationship with existing NBA card enthusiasts, cultivating a new generation of collectors, supporting hobby shops and retailers, and by creating new product growth opportunities worldwide.

As the NBA’s exclusive trading card and sticker partner, Panini will produce NBA trading cards, stickers and sticker albums beginning with the 2009-10 NBA season. Together with the NBA, Panini will provide significant retail marketing and promotional support including TV, print and on-line initiatives and in-store events for both hobby shops and retailers.

“Over the years, NBA trading cards have served as an important source to connect fans of all ages with our game,” said Sal LaRocca, Executive Vice President, NBA Global Merchandising Group. “As we look to the future of our trading card business, there is general consensus, including with our current partners, Topps and Upper Deck, that moving forward with an exclusive partner is the best way for us to energize the category on a worldwide basis. We are fortunate to have had three outstanding companies interested in our trading card business and believe Panini’s position as the leading global company in this industry aligns best with our global growth strategy.”

LaRocca continued, “Our exclusive partnership with Panini provides us with the best opportunity to recreate the trading card market by developing the key retail channels with a variety of products and promotions geared towards all consumer segments.”

Panini will leverage the strength of the NBA as a global sports league to develop the international trading card business and establish and build a sports collectibles business in the U.S. Currently, Panini has a successful North American collectibles business with consumer brands such as Disney’s Hannah Montana and High School Musical, and Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter, as well as with the UEFA Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup sporting events. Internationally, Panini’s leadership in the sticker category will provide additional growth opportunities for the NBA.

“As the leading global sports league, the NBA provides Panini with an international platform to expand the global trading card and collectibles markets by building our business in the U.S. and attracting new collectors around the world,” said Peter Warsop, Panini Group Licensing Director.

About the NBA
The NBA reaches fans and consumers worldwide through the licensing and marketing of consumer products bearing the league’s trademarks and player attributes. More than 200 licensees manufacture, sell and market NBA-branded products that are promoted worldwide and sold in more than 100,000 retail locations, in 100 countries on six continents. Major categories include video games, apparel, footwear, sporting goods and trading cards. Thirty percent of merchandise sales are generated from outside the United States.

About Panini S.p.A.
The Panini Group, established almost 50 years ago in Modena, Italy with subsidiaries throughout Europe and Latin America, is the world leader in the published collectable sector and the leading multi-national publisher of comics, children’s magazines and manga in Europe and Latin America. In 2008, the Panini Group is expected to have sales of c 1 Billion US$. The company has distribution channels in more than 100 countries and employs a staff of over 700. www.paniniamerica.net