[Rovell] NFLPA terminates relationship with Panini effective immediately

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by tjforce

And even if Topps does get things out for the 2023 season...

It's going to be late and it's going to be half a$$ed.

Holy crap. Unless they knew and have product ready to roll... this year is going to be the worst football card year in a long time.

Yeesh.

I feel like the child of two parents having a bitter, angry divorce.

[cj828282]

I am sure Topps/Fanatics have plans to have football products this year. No way they miss out on the money.

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by SleeperCards

As someone with little interest in 2022 and 2023 stuff, it's amusing. I would like to see some of Panini's IP continue for selfish reasons, but don't really have a dog in the Topps fanboys vs Panini fanboys fight. I did like how Panini handled expired redemptions and always received good customer service from them in person at National. I don't necessarily think that Fanatics is going to do a better job of everything just because they're different.

Except for Purdy and a few NTs I had zero invested in 2022 and the Niner draft class is not hobby-friendly this year so I'm with you. I'll miss contenders and NT, that's it.

I'll miss the Super Bowl Signatures which Panini should shove into boxes of whatever they can at this point.

But do I think Fanatics cares about my hobby wishlist?

Not one bit.

[Fenway55]

Something tells me this move by the NFLPA is going to trigger more lawsuits.

Panini may very well be of the opinion that the NFLPA does not have the right to terminate the contract early. Well, that's why we have courts of law.

Topps/Fanatics may be forbidden from releasing product until it's all figured out.

[49erRCCollector]

Here's my guess, and this is reading in-between the lines.

In the suing/counter-suing between Fanatics and Panini, Fanatics said (from the Rovell article):

"Fanatics countersued and said the leagues and unions chose to do business away from Panini due to their incompetence."

There must have been an clause in the Panini license that grants the NFLPA an out if Panini is unable to fulfill their end of the bargain (this is pretty stock). But this feels like the NFLPA wants to make the big money that Fanatics is predicting and forced an out which I would imagine would immediately go to court.

This feels like a big-boy power move by Fanatics and the NFLPA to crush Panini.

I'd be curious what kind of legal ground they stand on.

Edit: This may be a chess move to get Panini to sell at the number Fanatics wants.

[Hod1]

Originally Posted by Zeldafanatic15

Wonder what this means for sets already produced and ready to release. Are those allowed to be sold or will everything have to be destroyed ie backdoored.
backdoor.

Also, as someone said already, NFL redemptions are now SOL.
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I haven’t bought anything from Panini in a few years because their prices are outrageous, but this is interesting. Their website has several products that are “coming soon.” Are those dead now? Will they be back doored out into the open? Mosaic is on the list. Normally a pass, but that could end up ruling 2023 football.


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[glassofwater]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Holy crap. Unless they knew and have product ready to roll... this year is going to be the worst football card year in a long time.

Yeesh.

I feel like the child of two parents having a bitter, angry divorce.

Going around social media with people who have connections sounds like topps has nba nfl cards ready for this season .. wink wink. Might be why baseball releases have been limited with only 4 2023 baseball releases so far.

[meltedvanilluxe]

This is interesting. A lot are talking about 2023 product but I think the more juicy details are in what actually caused this to occur so suddenly between Panini and the NFLPA.


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[rmw10]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Here's my guess, and this is reading in-between the lines.

In the suing/counter-suing between Fanatics and Panini, Fanatics said (from the Rovell article):

"Fanatics countersued and said the leagues and unions chose to do business away from Panini due to their incompetence."

There must have been an clause in the Panini license that grants the NFLPA an out if Panini is unable to fulfill their end of the bargain (this is pretty stock). But this feels like the NFLPA wants to make the big money that Fanatics is predicting and forced an out which I would imagine would immediately go to court.

This feels like a big-boy power move by Fanatics and the NFLPA to crush Panini.

I'd be curious what kind of legal ground they stand on.

Edit: This may be a chess move to get Panini to sell at the number Fanatics wants.

Almost certainly trying to force Panini into an out. Doubting they care at all about buying Panini as a whole. They just want the NFL license now and are willing to pay up to get it. Hand is forced now pending legal battles.

[rmw10]

Originally Posted by meltedvanilluxe

This is interesting. A lot are talking about 2023 product but I think the more juicy details are in what actually caused this to occur so suddenly between Panini and the NFLPA.


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$$$$$

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by rmw10

Almost certainly trying to force Panini into an out. Doubting they care at all about buying Panini as a whole. They just want the NFL license now and are willing to pay up to get it. Hand is forced now pending legal battles.

I meant the licenses.

[Fenway55]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Here's my guess, and this is reading in-between the lines.

In the suing/counter-suing between Fanatics and Panini, Fanatics said (from the Rovell article):

"Fanatics countersued and said the leagues and unions chose to do business away from Panini due to their incompetence."

There must have been an clause in the Panini license that grants the NFLPA an out if Panini is unable to fulfill their end of the bargain (this is pretty stock). But this feels like the NFLPA wants to make the big money that Fanatics is predicting and forced an out which I would imagine would immediately go to court.

Many licensing agreements have it written into the contract that the licensee must maintain a certain standard in order to use the license.

If the NFLPA can demonstrate that Panini is mishandling the license, they would have the right to break the contract. Panini would almost certainly disagree.

As I mentioned above, that's why we have courts of law. Meanwhile it is the collectors who will suffer.

The end game goal for Fanatics may be to get Panini to just throw their hands up and accept a buyout.

[nabzy28]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

I secretly love the chaos of this.

Yep. It's crazy how panini will fight everything happening to them, now, but has put absolutely zero effort into anything for the last decade, even though they know it's over in a year anyhow. It's mind numbingly stupid, yet hilarious.

Ah, well. It's still going to be great to have actual game worn NFL memorabilia in high end cards again, soon. By the actual player depicted on the card, no less! What a time to be alive.

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by Fenway55

Many licensing agreements have it written into the contract that the licensee must maintain a certain standard in order to use the license.

If the NFLPA can demonstrate that Panini is mishandling the license, they would have the right to break the contract. Panini would almost certainly disagree.

As I mentioned above, that's why we have courts of law. Meanwhile it is the collectors who will suffer.

I have a feeling you are correct unless Panini sees pursuing this legally as throwing good money after bad.

Like I said, big boy corporate moves here.

[rentz]

So is the price of score going up now ?
People hate panini but it can be so much worse with how fanatics / topps raise prices after pre order and want to control breaking

[msucollector4]

I personally love to see Panini going down in flaming defeat

[majestik101]

Good riddance. I have 2,050 unused panini points. May as well rip them up and toss them in the garbage.

[airharrison21]

Originally Posted by majestik101

Good riddance. I have 2,050 unused panini points. May as well rip them up and toss them in the garbage.

I hope not lol I’m sitting on a ton of points.

[Spacemanspif]

Mom and Dad having an ugly, public divorce and the dumbest kid(s) are celebrating "TWO CHRISTMASES!" and not realizing how terrible this is for all parties involved.

[Crosby 87]

Originally Posted by majestik101

Good riddance. I have 2,050 unused panini points. May as well rip them up and toss them in the garbage.

They can be redeemed for .75 in Fanatics FanCash. Which is coming soon to a Hobby Box near you

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

Mom and Dad having an ugly, public divorce and the dumbest kid(s) are celebrating "TWO CHRISTMASES!" and not realizing how terrible this is for all parties involved.

Bravo!

[TheBigAndy]

Well my quest for every Packers Topps Chrome list will be growing again soon.

[njsportscardguy]

We can...."split, hairs",....from now until next Tuesday on the topic; what we're seeing here (again, admittedly; with legal-technicalities, aside!) is effectively,...a LEGAL MONOPOLIZATION on a multi-hundred million dollar industry!

As someone stated in the first, few posts,...Be careful what you wish for, folks! When they get us by the 'you know whats', then they've got us by the 'you know whats'! And it ain't EVER, fun....when someone's gotcha' by the 'you know whats'!

[kyle121592]

Terrible for the hobby

[Fenway55]

Originally Posted by njsportscardguy

We can...."split, hairs",....from now until next Tuesday on the topic; what we're seeing here (again, admittedly; with legal-technicalities, aside!) is effectively,...a LEGAL MONOPOLIZATION on a multi-hundred million dollar industry!

It's only legal because no one has ever challenged it in court....