Early Tuesday Panini America announced the signing of former Upper Deck spokesman Kobe Bryant. The new agreement will make the highly celebrated Los Angeles Lakers superstar Panini's official company spokesman and global trading card ambassador.
Bryant's exclusive multi-year agreement with Panini includes both autographs and memorabilia. Panini hopes this latest move will be the much needed catalyst that helps re-energize the basketball collectibles market in the United States and abroad.
"I am honored to join the Panini family," Bryant said. "Panini and I are really excited about embracing the challenge of re-igniting the collecting of basketball trading cards and sticker collections … and everyone knows I like challenges! We look forward to building off the momentum generated from last season's NBA Championship, and taking that energy to another level," said Bryant in a written press release announcing the new deal. "I know from my own experience growing up, how fun collecting and trading these products can be. I really believe collecting these products has the power, through the unique emotions of sports, to unify and strengthen bonds within families and across social groups, no matter what age you are. Panini and I are passionate about developing this hobby in many new and exciting ways. All I can say for now is to have fun expecting the unexpected from us!"
Panini's inaugural NBA trading card release, 2009-10 Panini Prestige Basketball, is set to debut on Oct. 7 and will feature the first batch of cards autographed by Bryant. He also will appear on Panini's packaging for future NBA trading card releases, as well as in future television and radio commercials planned.
"Kobe is going to be the face of Panini basketball and help to get kids excited about NBA trading cards," said Panini Group Licensing Director Peter Warsop. "He will serve as the greatest of ambassadors for Panini basketball products around the world. We couldn't be more proud to be associated with one of the most spectacular and transcendent athletes on the planet."
"Signing Kobe shows the depth of commitment that Panini has toward offering the very best of basketball products, be it Trading Cards or Stickers and Albums," continued Warsop. "Kobe's intense focus and championship drive personifies the traits that Panini has exhibited in becoming the leading publisher of collectibles around the world. He brings enormous excitement not only to the game of basketball, but to collecting as well"
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