Tag: panini

MLW announces trading card partnership with Panini

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Major League Wrestling and Panini are joining forces in a new deal that makes Panini the exclusive trading card partner of MLW.

The multi-year partnership was announced in a press release today. Per the agreement, Panini will now become the “official trading card, memorabilia, and collectible sticker partner of MLW.” Panini also has deals with sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, and FIFA, and they once had a brief relationship with WWE before WWE reunited with Topps/Fanatics as its trading card partner.

“As MLW’s global presence continues to grow, partnering with Panini – the worldwide leader in collectibles – is the perfect next step,” MLW’s Court Bauer said. “With the world’s top-ranked fighters throwing down in front of sold-out crowds, MLW is built on iconic moments. Now, thanks to Panini, fans can collect those moments and own a piece of the fight.”

Moments from last week’s MLW Summer of the Beasts event are being made available as instant cards through Panini’s website. Later this year, MLW products will be available at stores like Walmart and Target, in hobby stores nationwide, and on Panini’s website.

“We are looking forward to this new partnership with MLW, as MLW continues to grow and expand internationally – we are positioned well to help them reach wrestling fans on a global basis and bring trading cards to wrestling fans,” said Mark Warsop, the CEO of Panini America.

MLW currently airs its shows for free live on YouTube. Actor Paul Walter Hauser, who competes for MLW in addition to serving as an executive producer of the promotion, recently said they have had discussions for a TV or streaming deal but are not going to rush into anything.

“I can’t say too much because we’re still figuring stuff out, obviously. But we’ve had a couple of offers and we’ve had discussions and we’re just trying to figure out what makes the most sense for everybody,” Hauser said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “Because it’s one thing for somebody to throw you some money, it’s another to find people that understand and like the product. So, like, we’re kind of looking for somebody who actually likes wrestling and understands the product and wants to see it grow exponentially. Not get some kind of cheapo buyout just to have it up off of YouTube.”

The next event on MLW’s calendar is Fightland 2025 in North Richland Hills, Texas on September 13.

WWE & Panini reach settlement in trading card lawsuit

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE and Panini have settled a legal dispute regarding the trading card partnership they entered into in 2021. 

The case was dismissed “without prejudice” which presents the option that it could be refiled at a later time. However, if that happens within 30 days, it may be denied.

WWE terminated its agreement with Panini this past August, citing a breach of contract. Panini then countersued WWE, stating the contract was terminated “with no warning whatsoever.” 

This followed WWE announcing Fanatics would eventually become the exclusive producer of their trading cards beginning “when WWE’s existing trading cards rights expire over the next few years.”

Earlier Wednesday, WWE and Panini notified the court that they have reached a settlement in principle and were in the process of putting it into writing. 

The documents read:

Pursuant to the Court’s Order, the parties certify that they have conferred live and in real time to discuss a potential resolution. Specifically, on October 3, 2023 Nick Khan (CEO, WWE), Mark Warsop (CEO, Panini America) and Elisabetta Mussini (Group Licensing Director, Panini S.p.A.) conferred by Zoom for approximately 30 minutes and on November 14 the same parties plus their counsel conferred by Zoom for approximately 30 minutes.

In addition, the parties exchanged settlement proposals and counterproposals on October 3, 2023, October 17, 2023, November 8, 2023, November 9, 2023, and November 13, 2023. Counsel for the parties were speaking regularly by phone throughout this period in connection with these proposals.

The discussions between the parties and their counsel have resulted in an agreement in principle. The parties are in the process of memorializing that agreement in a signed writing.

WWE terminates partnership with Panini for breach of contract

Posted on by Ian Carey

UPDATE:

Panini has filed a lawsuit against WWE for terminating its contract. In its filing, Panini says that the contract was terminated in late August “with no warning whatsoever”.

WWE has also filed a lawsuit of their own, possibly relating to an injunction WWE is seeking to prevent Panini from selling WWE merchandise.

Original story:

WWE says trading card company Panini has violated the terms of their agreement. 

The company became WWE’s exclusive trading card and collectible sticker partner in 2021 but sports business reporter Darren Rovell is reporting WWE terminated the relationship two weeks ago for breach of contract. The multi-year agreement was said to have more than two years left. 

It is not clear what led to WWE terminating the agreement with Panini. As of this writing, WWE products are still being sold by the company. 

WWE announced a partnership with Fanatics last year that includes e-commerce, licensed merchandise, and trading cards/NFTs in addition to revamping WWEShop.com. As part of the announcement, it was revealed that Fanatics would receive the rights to WWE trading cards once the current agreement with Panini expired. Fanatics is now expected to receive the rights immediately. 

Rovell wrote:

JUST IN: Two weeks ago, the WWE terminated Panini for breach of contract with 2+ years left. The WWE says Panini, which is still selling product, is now in violation and will seek an injunction. Fanatics, which had deal starting in ‘26, is expected to get rights immediately. 

WWE’s press release from March 2022 announcing the Fanatics deal reads:

Fanatics acquired the legendary 70-year-old Topps brand earlier this year, which previously held a long-term relationship with WWE. That deal will commence when WWE’s existing trading cards rights expire over the next few years.

WWE enters into multi-year trading card partnership with Panini

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has entered into a new merchandising partnership to produce trading cards.

It was announced on Monday that WWE and The Panini Group have entered into a multi-year agreement to make Panini WWE’s exclusive trading card and collectible sticker partner. WWE previously worked with Topps to produce trading cards.

The deal begins in the first quarter of 2022, with multiple trading card products set to be released within the first year. The first product, which is titled “2022 WWE Prizm,” will be released to coincide with the buildup to WrestleMania 38.

The trading cards will be available at mass retailers including Walmart and Target, hobby stores nationwide, and online.

“We have always been intrigued by WWE as a license partner and their fans’ incredible passion,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Our entire team is looking forward to adding WWE, a truly iconic license, to our roster of exclusive partners. We have big plans for our WWE portfolio and the new heights we can help WWE trading cards and stickers reach in the collectibles arena.”

“Panini has a 60-year history in sports and entertainment collectibles and is a leader in the trading card space throughout the U.S. as well as in Latin America, Europe and Asia,” said Scott Zanghellini, WWE Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Development. “We believe that this partnership perfectly aligns our mutual interests in providing fans with exclusive collectibles and, ultimately, growing this category globally.”