Upper Deck gets MLBPA license

[Brad]

Just announced at the Industry Summit. Same as Panini. Can use players but no team logos/names.

First product: 2013 Fleer Retro

[ohiomike]

Interesting move considering MLB renewed Topps MLBP exclusive contract through 2020.

I figured that news would have Panini letting their MLBPA contract expire. Never would have guessed that Upper Deck would jump on the MLBPA-only bandwagon again. Hopefully this go-around fares better for them than in 2010.

Topps will still be king by many miles, but hopefully the increased competition will make them step up their game, especially in the quality control / customer service aspects.

[gr8azn]

Very nice cant wait for exquisite baseball!

[NewAgeHardcore]

Interesting move considering MLB renewed Topps MLBP exclusive contract through 2020.

I figured that news would have Panini letting their MLBPA contract expire. Never would have guessed that Upper Deck would jump on the MLBPA-only bandwagon again. Hopefully this go-around fares better for them than in 2010.

Topps will still be king by many miles, but hopefully the increased competition will make them step up their game, especially in the quality control / customer service aspects.

Topps extending their exclusive deal is horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE news for me.

Panini is actually my favorite company because I like their older Donruss designs/products like Threads, Classics, Elite, etc.. I was holding out hope for licensed baseball products from Panini.

I guess no National Treasures baseball for me until at least 2021. :mad:

[Brad]

Very nice cant wait for exquisite baseball!

Apparently they will only do 2 baseball products for 2013. Fleer Retro and a product with retired players only.

Strange to get the PA license and only do 1 set with current players. Unless this happened relatively recently and they don't have time/capability to do much more this year. They are reportedly doing their own photo shoots.

[nuccionino]

Topps extending their exclusive deal is horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE news for me.

Panini is actually my favorite company because I like their older Donruss designs/products like Threads, Classics, Elite, etc.. I was holding out hope for licensed baseball products from Panini.

I guess no National Treasures baseball for me until at least 2021. :mad:

Topps will always have a baseball license. I wish Panini could use logos/teams. Would help with values of cards.

[trixstar]

This is really good news IMO. Upper Deck is head and shoulders above topps and panini in design.

[duwal]

Apparently they will only do 2 baseball products for 2013. Fleer Retro and a product with retired players only.

Strange to get the PA license and only do 1 set with current players. Unless this happened relatively recently and they don't have time/capability to do much more this year. They are reportedly doing their own photo shoots.


YES!! I'll be saving up my funds waiting on the retired players product

[nuccionino]

This is really good news IMO. Upper Deck is head and shoulders above topps and panini in design.

Especially high-end.

[friarbolt]

A good pickup, like Panini they are positioning themselves for the MLB license down the line. Even though it's locked up it's still the king of the licenses so it's worth jockeying for position to get it later.

[chezball]

Apparently they will only do 2 baseball products for 2013. Fleer Retro and a product with retired players only.

Strange to get the PA license and only do 1 set with current players. Unless this happened relatively recently and they don't have time/capability to do much more this year. They are reportedly doing their own photo shoots.
It's 3 products this year. 2/1