Fallout From Vick Affair May Take New Direction For Donruss

[blowoutcards]

(FALLOUT FROM VICK AFFAIR MAY TAKE NEW DIRECTION FOR DONRUSS)

The public relations disaster which has become Michael Vick may be taking a positive direction based deep in the heart of Texas. Ann Powell, owner of Playoff/Donruss and a major dog lover, not only is pulling all Vick cards from the company's product, she is now looking to link dog loving to trading cards. There are those in the NFL who might think this is a positive idea, but at the moment it is very preliminary.

"We have not heard anything pet related from Donruss and are not in a position to comment," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Brill Report.

(Benson was a bait dog used to entice other dogs to fight and kill in a dog fighting arena. Benson was recovered and is now with the Human Society USA.)

The direction may be as simple as an insert set featuring players off the field with their favorite pet. There is precedent for such a series. A dog food company several years ago released a baseball card set featuring players and their animals.

Donruss admits the idea is preliminary but discussion has been strong at the card company.

"It is something Ann brought up and we're currently exploring but to what extent we haven't figured that out yet," Scott Prusha, marketing director at Playoff/Donruss told TBR in an exclusive interview. "We're currently exploring different options and are not sure if we want to promote a specific organization or something in general."

Powell is an avid dog lover and in fact brings several dogs to the office with her and we're told they pretty much have a run of the place within reason. For her it is an issue which needs to happen.

(Michael Vick may be replaced by a dog if one cardmaker has it's way.)

"We have discontinued Michael Vick cards in our product and we would like to do something either with the Humane Society or some other organization," she told TBR in a phone message. "We will do something on our web site but we would like to do something within packs if we are allowed to."

The issue makes perfect sense. Vick's involvement or lack of involvement since he has not been convicted yet is a disaster for the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons. No one is going to support dog fighting no matter how much fans love the violence on the gridiron. It is just not the same and for Donruss to make a move like this will bring about awareness.

"I think we are discussing something like picturing players with their pets," said Prusha. "We'd like to do something perhaps interactive with our web site and maybe link to other sites, but the interactivity would be important."

As far as Vick goes, it's over for Donruss.

"We've pulled his cards, his autos and our deal was negotiated before this so we have a considerable investment in Michael but we're not going to use it," added Prusha. "He has signed all his autographs and we've paid for it so that is where it's at and there will be nothing in the future."

Prusha added this is the first time in the history of the company something like this has happened. Ms. Powell showed the rest of the world, especially the collecting world, there is a limit and Vick has apparently reached it.

From the Brill Report

[frozenntimesports]

This is kind of a joke, Vick hasn't been convicted yet. If a company like Donruss wants to throw money away based on moral high ground, fine, but since they are already rumored to be teetering on bankruptcy, it would be foolish to completely rule out selling Vick cards/memorabilia ever again.

On the other hand, the players with their pets concept is a great idea. Hopefully they do it.

[Terry]

[QUOTE=

On the other hand, the players with their pets concept is a great idea. Hopefully they do it.[/QUOTE]

THAT WOULD BE A SWEET SUBSET!!!

[iluvfish2]

I like the idea of the Pet Cards, I remember some of the old Proline Portaits had players with their pets (or hobbies). I always like reading about Players and their Hobbies. While these guys (pro athletes) are in the lime light, they're still human, kinda nice to see what they do to relax (I refuse to think they're all drinking mi ties on the beach My only concern is if someone's to benefit from it (other than Donruss) how they go about it. I personally don't want any additional money to go to the Humane Society unless its specially earmarked for Pet Awareness, education, or hopefully Vet/Medical bills (shots/spay/neuter).

[iam4car3]

Originally Posted by blowoutcards

(FALLOUT FROM VICK AFFAIR MAY TAKE NEW DIRECTION FOR DONRUSS)


As far as Vick goes, it's over for Donruss.

"We've pulled his cards, his autos and our deal was negotiated before this so we have a considerable investment in Michael but we're not going to use it," added Prusha. "He has signed all his autographs and we've paid for it so that is where it's at and there will be nothing in the future."



From the Brill Report

As stated above they've paid for and still have all of the Vick cards. Why haven't they been burned? Since Donruss is in need of money will we see these cards end up in a select few dealers hands saying they came by them by accident when buying cards from the Donruss vault?
Just a little something to think about.

[lbailey]

OOO in retrospect... Vick DID IT!!!

[kairi-2008]

Originally Posted by frozenntimesports

On the other hand, the players with their pets concept is a great idea. Hopefully they do it.

Great idea.

[sportscards0513]

Yayy old threads.

[freethrowtommy]

Hey mods!

Why don't threads get locked after a certain amount of time?

[CubKings]

Random as hell. Wow!