Does Razor plan on signing draftees of '09?

[Wes]

2009 will be interesting as Donruss and Topps will jump in looking for exclusive rights as well, especially Donruss. If each company signs one of the top 3 draft picks, this prospect landscape will be much different.

Razor had little true competition trying to lock up exclusive deals...that lack of competition has officially has ended. That said, I would be surprised if Razor was going to lock up the same 1st round percentage as they did in 2008 to exclusive deals.

And who knows, they may lock up more.

I would disagree with that - how many exclusives do Donruss or Topps have as far as draft picks?

They didn't pursue exclusive contracts as they didn't feel the need to. However, the exclusive nature of some of Razor's deals have undoubtedly changed that previous mindset.

I think it would be naive to assume that Topps and Donruss do not attempt to lock up some exclusive players. Of course, they may not, but I would have to believe that they would. Donruss of course has already locked up what many believe to be the top pitching prospect in baseball in Porcello.

Now, maybe Razor still wins the contracts, but I would think the prices would go up once there are companies competing for the exclusivity.

Porcello might be an exclusive now but he already has a Bowman Chrome card.

Porcello has an exclusive autograph deal, not an exclusive image rights contract.

Which makes him less of a true exclusive than the main Razor players.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Porcello has an exclusive autograph deal, not an exclusive image rights contract.

The true value in these deals is the autograph exclusivity. Image rights are marginal at best considering Tristar can use any MiLB player they want.

If I have to have a Tim Beckham card...I have two options (plus whatever team sets are released)...and neither would be my personal favorite. However, if I have to have a Tim Beckham autograph, I "technically" only have one option.

 

[Wes]

Porcello has an exclusive autograph deal, not an exclusive image rights contract.

The true value in these deals is the autograph exclusivity. Image rights are marginal at best considering Tristar can use any MiLB player they want.

If I have to have a Tim Beckham card...I have two options (plus whatever team sets are released)...and neither would be my personal favorite. However, if I have to have a Tim Beckham autograph, I "technically" only have one option.

Perhaps on an individual basis the image rights are marginal to you, but there are MANY collectors who would prefer a Tim Beckham Bowman Chrome parallel to a Razor AU. The difference between just the AU exclusive and all encompassing exclusive is a significant one.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I don't think this was meant to be a Chrome v. Razor thread.

 

[Wes]

I don't think this was meant to be a Chrome v. Razor thread.

What are you referring to officer?

 

[masonphillip]

I don't think this was meant to be a Chrome v. Razor thread.

What are you referring to officer?

I'm guessing he meant it was more about, what are Razor's long term business plans rather than what's going to happen with Chrome vs. Razor. Although, the two are for sure intertwined.

 

[NECpilgrims8]

"and here......we go!"

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Porcello has an exclusive autograph deal, not an exclusive image rights contract.

The true value in these deals is the autograph exclusivity. Image rights are marginal at best considering Tristar can use any MiLB player they want.

If I have to have a Tim Beckham card...I have two options (plus whatever team sets are released)...and neither would be my personal favorite. However, if I have to have a Tim Beckham autograph, I "technically" only have one option.

Perhaps on an individual basis the image rights are marginal to you, but there are MANY collectors who would prefer a Tim Beckham Bowman Chrome parallel to a Razor AU. The difference between just the AU exclusive and all encompassing exclusive is a significant one.

This is incredibly telling on a different note.

Now, having "exclusive" image rights is something that probably only Razor would pay for as neither Donruss nor Topps need exclusivity on images, the question is still out there though whether or not Donruss and Topps will jump in looking for exclusive autograph deals with players. I think they will...I just don't know at what level.

 

[Tomlinson21RB]