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Panini signs NBA star Luka Doncic to exclusive autograph, memorabilia deal
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has been making headlines on the court and breaking records in the sports card industry since he entered the NBA three years ago.
Now Panini America has signed the superstar forward to an exclusive agreement for autographs and memorabilia. Doncic has had a relationship with the exclusive trading card company of the NBA since before he entered the league, but now Panini is making that deal exclusive.
Doncic’s 2018-19 National Treasures RC Auto Logoman 1/1 card set a record for the highest selling basketball card when it was purchased by collector Nick Fiorello for $4.6 million in March. The card surpassed the rookie card of Giannis Antetokounmp has the most expensive baskeball card and is second all-time behind the 1952 Mickey Mantle card that sold for $5.2 million in January.
Under the new deal, all of Doncic’s autographed memorabilia, including jerseys, basketballs, photos and more, will be available exclusively through Panini Authentic, a division of Panini America. Panini has similar deals with NBA stars Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards, Charles Barkley and the late Kobe Bryant.
“We’ve had a front-row seat here in the Dallas area and have watched in amazement as Luka’s style of play has made him one of the NBA’s most popular players around the world, and we knew he was going to be a major factor in attracting new collectors to the NBA trading card hobby,” Panini America CEO Mark Warsop said in a statement. “But he’s just getting started and we’re proud to welcome him to the rich fraternity of Panini America-exclusive athletes. This partnership is going to be something special.”
“As a kid growing up in Europe, Panini stickers were a big part of my childhood so to be able to partner with Panini America even before I was drafted was really exciting to me,” Dončić said. “I’m proud now to be able to strengthen our relationship and build a close connection with fans and collectors. There is so much going on in the collectibles space and I’m happy to be with them.”
