Gordie Howe, Panini Agree on Trading Card Deal

Panini America announced today during the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend in Ottawa that it has reached a multi-year trading card agreement with legendary Detroit Red Wings star Gordie Howe.

Under the agreement, Panini America will be able to include autograph and memorabilia trading cards of Howe in its officially licensed hockey products for the first time. Howe also will appear on the company’s packaging and promotional materials.

“When it comes to transcendent hockey superstars, they get no bigger than Gordie Howe, and we’re more than ecstatic to welcome him to the Panini family,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “All of our hockey products will benefit greatly from his presence and we can’t wait to share Howe’s legacy and his greatness with fans and collectors across North America.”

“I’m truly honored to be a part of the Panini America family and I can’t wait to see all of the exciting things they have planned for my trading cards,” Howe said. “Panini America is a pioneering company when it comes to innovation – from their HRX Video trading cards to their real 14-karat gold cards. They will no doubt show me in a whole new light and I can’t wait to see it.”

To help celebrate the new relationship, Howe will appear at the Panini America booth inside the 2012 Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair™ today (Jan. 27) from 3:00-4:30 p.m at the Ottawa Convention Centre.