Is upper deck losing their NHL license to fanatics in 2027?

[hermanotarjeta]

I heard this from my local card shop, but I can’t find any evidence anywhere else. Anyone else hear any rumors?

[FatButcher]

Haven't heard that, but I hope they do so I can stop buying any wax at all

[Inferno]

Pretty sure the NHL extended their exclusive “long term” a few years ago when word first came out Fanatics was taking basketball and football.

[Ehawk89]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Pretty sure the NHL extended their exclusive “long term” a few years ago when word first came out Fanatics was taking basketball and football.

All I can find is they last extended their contract in 2021. Its plausible the deal ends in 2027.

[Inferno]

I really hope it’s not true. Seeing what they’ve done with basketball early on I would be crushed if Fanatics took over hockey. UD has the best designs in the hobby.

[Bob Ross]

Would be a nightmare.

[natbornkiller]

topps from 1991 to whenever they stopped making hockey sucked
so why would anyone get excited for it ?

[fidrych]

I really know zilch about hockey. I do love watching though.

I bought two cases of extended this year for (2) reasons.

My wife loves opening cards.
It's Upper Deck.

[stoopid]

Originally Posted by natbornkiller

topps from 1991 to whenever they stopped making hockey sucked
so why would anyone get excited for it ?

Topps/Bowman made some fine cards through that time, but even if it was true (which it is not) the company "Topps" is not the same entity as far as execs, staff, designers, etc. They churn out objectively good cards still, but have made a pact with the devil and are now milking the hobby for every red cent. THAT is why it would suck - and without any competition across major sports, already poor ROI would be abysmal to the point even breakers fractionalizing a team into 100,000 spots won't be able to buy product.

We are about to see seismic changes and market pressure on Topps/Fanatics. The economy [for 90% of Americans/Canadians] is in freefall and credit cards maxxed. Their target demographic will start to rob people for funds to participate. Or more likely - just stop participating. Their "10X the hobby" only meant sales, not participants. It never did. And they're actively running the participants out. It was over as quickly as it began. Human nature and greed playing out as it always does.

[ThatGuyPal]

Remember when everyone was so happy Topps got basketball/football? Pepperidge farm remembers.

Even had people buying unlicensed Leaf-like cards like they were the holy grail

[odjickfan]

At least, there are still many older cards to look for. I have a lot of fun chasing Roy cards from the 1995-2005 era.

[Grave252]

I for one wouldn't mind it. The expected has happened with football/basketball, but the hockey market is much smaller and Fanatics has proven they can get a lot more players to sign. Give me Sapphire NHL and maybe even a debut patch chase. Certainly box prices would be elevated to a point, but I do think fanatics has shown a willingness to innovate at the very least.

[ThatGuyPal]

Originally Posted by Grave252

I for one wouldn't mind it. The expected has happened with football/basketball, but the hockey market is much smaller and Fanatics has proven they can get a lot more players to sign. Give me Sapphire NHL and maybe even a debut patch chase. Certainly box prices would be elevated to a point, but I do think fanatics has shown a willingness to innovate at the very least.

*That I know of* hockey has never really had an issue with people signing, rookies or vets aside from sometimes not getting in time and needing to be an “update in later products”.

Heck Gretzky autos are in most sets aside from flagship and super low end, that would be like Brady and Jordan being in nearly every set with autos

[Seahawks fan]

I wouldn't mind if Fanatics and Upperdeck both had a license as Competition drives better quality and more choices is always better for collectors...But I would not be happy if they got the license exclusively. Fanatics and Panini like to hyper inflate their wax prices until they ruin the hobby. Low end boxes like Topps Chrome/Donruss/Etc which were well under $100 every year forever are now $400+. If they had a hyped rookie like Bedard then Flagship would have been $500-600 a box.

Ever since Fanatics took over topps, all the designs look geared toward kids/cheesy. Cosmic Chrome, Midnight, Resurgence, etc. Just pure garbage.

[stoopid]

I heard Panini has some time on their hands. Maybe they can get into the fray again and split the license.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by Seahawks fan

I wouldn't mind if Fanatics and Upperdeck both had a license as Competition drives better quality and more choices is always better for collectors...But I would not be happy if they got the license exclusively. Fanatics and Panini like to hyper inflate their wax prices until they ruin the hobby. Low end boxes like Topps Chrome/Donruss/Etc which were well under $100 every year forever are now $400+. If they had a hyped rookie like Bedard then Flagship would have been $500-600 a box.

Ever since Fanatics took over topps, all the designs look geared toward kids/cheesy. Cosmic Chrome, Midnight, Resurgence, etc. Just pure garbage.

I don't think Fanatics cares much for competition. Based on their previous actions, they either want the entire license or don't want it at all.

[PatchSentinel]

I'd be up for it. Sometimes having new energy is good. Some of Upper Deck's designs I'm just not a fan of; they look basic, almost like Upper Deck is using software from the early 2000s and photography styles from the '80s or '90s. Fanatics bought Topps, so they could possibly buy Upper Deck, too. We'd get Stadium Club for low-end, some Topps Finest, Topps flagship and Chrome, Bowman and some others. Plus Fanatics would have access to UD's brands if they bought them out.

Wouldn't mind having Panini back, either. Yeah, "overproduction," but I don't care what anyone says—they make beautiful cards.

[stoopid]

Originally Posted by PatchSentinel

Wouldn't mind having Panini back, either. Yeah, "overproduction," but I don't care what anyone says—they make beautiful cards.

Also worth noting that Panini really only started overproducing as demand rose in 2020, then again their final 2 years with the license when the writing was on the wall. They're not any better or worse than any other company at firing up the printers when they think it will sell. Their stint in hockey cards was well printed, but I wouldn't say over printed. And yes, I actively buy Paninin hockey cards to this day. They're excellent.

[odjickfan]

Originally Posted by stoopid

Also worth noting that Panini really only started overproducing as demand rose in 2020, then again their final 2 years with the license when the writing was on the wall. They're not any better or worse than any other company at firing up the printers when they think it will sell. Their stint in hockey cards was well printed, but I wouldn't say over printed. And yes, I actively buy Paninin hockey cards to this day. They're excellent.

Panini took a few years to learn the hockey market, most of their 10-11 products were average but their lineup was much better in 13-14.

[creasecollector]

I really hope not.

[worldtravel00]

More companies should be able to acquire licenses to print cards for all of the professional leagues. Exclusive license should not be allowed.

[ken161]

Originally Posted by worldtravel00

More companies should be able to acquire licenses to print cards for all of the professional leagues. Exclusive license should not be allowed.

It's hard to imagine a company putting less time/effort/money into a product than some recent MVP and OPC issues.

[Archangel1775]

Originally Posted by ken161

It's hard to imagine a company putting less time/effort/money into a product than some recent MVP and OPC issues.

That typically the point of those types of sets. Really basic.

[odjickfan]

Originally Posted by ken161

It's hard to imagine a company putting less time/effort/money into a product than some recent MVP and OPC issues.

OPC is still decent, but MVP is a fraction of what it used to be. 98-99 to 03-04 MVP was much better. The foil inserts were prettier, some long-odds hard-signed autos, GU pucks and jerseys.

[ThatGuyPal]

Last Panini hockey I remember were Kappo Kakko cards lol almost bought some, if he had panned out better some of those cards would of been nice