KOBE BRYANT Has Signed an Exclusive Deal With Panini

[Card Magnet]

This has to be a blow to UD. Kobe has left, and signed an exclusive with Panini. Bryant's first autographs will be in Prestige, which comes out in a week.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/33069664

 

[Uofo2212]

That is huge news, and a massive blow to UD......will it start a trend?

 

[blazers091]

I like the on-card autos

 

[brouthercard]

I think this is GREAT news for the basketball card hobby, and obviously reduces UD's competitive advantage.

People will be able to continue to enjoy and collect Kobe autographed cards which show pictures of him in a Laker uniform.

Like I said before, I honestly have ZERO interest in collecting any Lebron or Jordan autographed cards with them pictured in suits or airbrushed nba jerseys. College/high school jerseys may be cool for a set or two, but not every single product after product. I'd prefer to just go after older issues of them, they have plenty enough of them anyways.

 

[goldenegg1]

I like the on-card autos

I am willing to bet big bucks that they are stickers when they are released.
If it is anything like their football products, everything is sticker autos.
This really makes Panini more attractive in the the Basketball market. No if they can get Jordan and Lebron to follow, that would be tremendous! I can't personally see Jordan signing with anyone else, but who knows, money talks!

 

[Tomlinson21RB]

I like the on-card autos

I am willing to bet big bucks that they are stickers when they are released.
If it is anything like their football products, everything is sticker autos.
This really makes Panini more attractive in the the Basketball market. No if they can get Jordan and Lebron to follow, that would be tremendous! I can't personally see Jordan signing with anyone else, but who knows, money talks!

I feel like Jordan and Lebron worry more about their image than Kobe. They want to be associated with the best, and UD certainly has that brand recognition over Panini.

 

[ffgameman]

Doh, missed this topic and posted another a few minutes ago.

Even though UD still has LeBron and Michael this is still a pretty hefty blow to Upper Deck.

 

[1995BBRefractorGuy]

I like the on-card autos

I am willing to bet big bucks that they are stickers when they are released.
If it is anything like their football products, everything is sticker autos.
This really makes Panini more attractive in the the Basketball market. No if they can get Jordan and Lebron to follow, that would be tremendous! I can't personally see Jordan signing with anyone else, but who knows, money talks!

I feel like Jordan and Lebron worry more about their image than Kobe. They want to be associated with the best, and UD certainly has that brand recognition over Panini.

C'mon nobody is into their image more than Kobe, huge blow against UD!

 

[daveyou]

i wonder what is going to happen with kobe's unfulfilled redemptions from upper deck such as ultimate collection and exquisite

there are a ton of kobe's redemptions this year and if he jumped ship to ud, will he honor those remaining signings?

dave

 

[Card Magnet]

Wouldn't he be obligated under the terms of his old contract to fulfill those?

 

[Tomlinson21RB]

I like the on-card autos

I am willing to bet big bucks that they are stickers when they are released.
If it is anything like their football products, everything is sticker autos.
This really makes Panini more attractive in the the Basketball market. No if they can get Jordan and Lebron to follow, that would be tremendous! I can't personally see Jordan signing with anyone else, but who knows, money talks!

I feel like Jordan and Lebron worry more about their image than Kobe. They want to be associated with the best, and UD certainly has that brand recognition over Panini.

C'mon nobody is into their image more than Kobe, huge blow against UD!

True, but Kobe makes bad decisions when his image is involved and MJ and Lebron make good ones.

 

[daveyou]

Wouldn't he be obligated under the terms of his old contract to fulfill those?

obligated, yes but how many times have we seen players not sign for various reasons for upper deck? all those unfulfilled redemptions, players backed out and we all suffered with the replacements....

dave

 

[Old Kentucky Shark]

Wouldn't he be obligated under the terms of his old contract to fulfill those?

obligated, yes but how many times have we seen players not sign for various reasons for upper deck? all those unfulfilled redemptions, players backed out and we all suffered with the replacements....

dave

From UD's Facebook:

Upper Deck would like to wish Kobe Bryant all the best on and off the court in the future. We have a signing scheduled with him shortly to handle outstanding redemption cards. Look for his last UD cards in 09/10 NBA Exquisite releasing tomorrow.