Cards
Panini expands baseball card presence with minor league card deal
Panini is expanding its baseball card presence with a new partnership that allows it to produce cards focused on MLB prospects and future stars.
Panini and MLB Players, Inc., the business arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), have announced a non-exclusive, multiyear baseball card deal covering active Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players.
With MLB prospects continuing to be a hot commodity among collectors, the deal will allow Panini to produce cards of minor leaguers across such products as Donruss Elite Extra Edition and Prizm Baseball.
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Panini plans to produce up to 12 products per year featuring MiLB players alongside collegiate and retired players beginning with Panini Three and Two Baseball in November.
“Having Minor League players within the scope of this agreement creates significant depth across Panini’s baseball portfolio,” said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America. “We look forward to distinguishing each release within our annual product lineup and giving collectors and fans the opportunity to connect the future stars of the sport.”
While Topps maintains the official MLB trading card license, the agreement allows Panini to build prospect-focused checklists across multiple brands and products.
“We’re proud to partner with Panini on this new initiative,’’ said Evan Kaplan, president of MLB Players, Inc. “Baseball fans have long connected with their favorite players through trading cards, and this new agreement strengthens and enhances that link by featuring their favorite Minor Leaguers, top prospects and baseball’s stars of tomorrow.’’
