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.

As a huge basketball fan, but not a huge basketball card collector, I loved this set. From images like Kevin Garnett vs the Lakers on Christmas to Nate Robinson suiting up the Kryptonate uniform and dunking over Dwight Howard, they really did fantastic with the photography. It is a low end product, but has the potential for high end hits with Chrome and Superfractors inserted at very high odds, but it’s possible.

I spent a lot of time talking to the Panini guys about the NBA products for this year at the National, and am looking forward to their releases, but at the same time think it is a shame that companies like Topps and Upper Deck who have produced great basketball products are locked out of the game for now. Although who knows, we could see airbrushed or cropped NBA images of some players in other Topps or UD products.

(CN) – Nine NBA players, including Derrick Rose, Antawn Jamison and Tracy McGrady, claim Topps Co. refused to pay them as promised for their autographs on trading cards. The hoopsters say they were promised from $3 to $50 apiece for their signatures, by the hundreds or thousands.
Tracy McGrady says he was offered $50 apiece for 1,000 John Hancocks; Deandre Jordan says he was offered $3 apiece for 4,000.
Darryl Augustin Jr. claims Topps promised him $8 apiece for 4,000 autographs;
Terrance (TJ) Ford claims Topps promised him $6 apiece for 500 autographs;
Antawn Jamison claims Topps promised him $10 apiece for 500 autographs;
Deandre Jordan claims Topps promised him $3 apiece for 4,000 autographs;
Tracy McGrady claims Topps promised him $50 apiece for 1,000 autographs;
Anthony Randolph Jr. claims Topps promised him $7 apiece for 4,000 autographs;
Derrick Rose claims Topps promised him $25 apiece for 10,000 autographs;
Brandon Roy claims Topps promised him $18 apiece for 5,000 autographs;
Russell Westbrook claims Topps promised him $12 apiece for 4,000 autographs;
White Cobra Enterprises claims Topps promised it $10 apiece for 1,000 autographs;
Wolfotter Inc. claims Topps promised it $8 apiece for 4,000 autographs;
Rowcats Inc. claims Topps promised it $5 apiece for 4,000 autographs.
The plaintiffs say Topps refused to pay them varying amounts.
They are represented in New York County Court by Thomas Fleming with Olshan Grundman Frome.

I have to admit, I may have been slightly biased on this review with the box topper being Larry Bird. It put me in a good mood for the box, but I do like the Allen and Ginter style cards. They are great for TTM autographs, set builders, and people who like classic designs. This set does fill those needs. Unfortunately I hit a redemption for my autographed card in Darrell Arthur, which I found out after opening most likely is a sticker so that is disappointing. I did hit a printing plate of Hedu Turkoglu which I will be giving out to one of our Twitter followers.

The Look – It’s based on a classic design. It’s hard to critique these sets because they are entirely based on an older set. But collectors love these designs, these sets sell well for Topps. The set builders are all over this product, and with the relics and autographs in it you can’t help but like this set. The checklist cards which feature painted versions of in game highlight action shots look fantastic. I give the checklist cards an A+ looks wise, the rest of the set to me was a little too gaudy, but still garners a B, this would have been higher if not for sticker autographs. I’ll give this set a B.

The Value – These sets are stacked. The SPs always do well on the secondary market, you can hit great relics that are SP’d and sell for crazy amounts, or the autographs include such legends as Larry, Magic and Bill Russell. I personally hit a rookie redemption autograph, but also hit a Rodman Relic and a plate. So I can’t complain and over all on these products they hold their prices for the most part, and are a solid A value for a set builder.

The Total Package – This is your standard retro release. Huge with set builders and that builds in great value. This is also the kind of set that is a TTM fans dream, it is a shame that the autographs especially being mini cards that are the smaller get taken up by a sticker. But the relics and plates look great as well as the silk cards. Overall it’s a great set that my one huge gripe is the sticker autographs in a set I was expecting to be on card. It’s a shame but with the Panini monopoly on liscensed cards that Topps won’t be able to build on this release year after year like they have with Allen and Ginter. It is a fun break, and I have already sent a few cards from it out for autographs. So I give it a solid B effort from Topps.

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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