NFLPA Moves to Fanatics, Ending Panini Card Deal Early

Trey Treutel

August 22, 2023

Although the change was already on the horizon, Fanatics' NFL card takeover moved one step closer as the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) terminated the exclusive deal with Panini. Per reports, Fanatics now holds the NFLPA trading card exclusive, paving the way for Topps NFLPA cards. The switch was not expected at this time given that Panini's NFLPA deal was slated to end in 2026.

Details appeared via a message sent by the NFLPA to NFL agents.

"NFL Players Inc. has terminated the trading card agreement with Panini. Effective immediately, Fanatics has the exclusive right to make NFLPA-branded trading cards. This decision has no impact on any individual players' contractual agreement(s) with Panini. If you represent any player(s) with an existing Panini agreement, the NFLPA recommends that you encourage the player(s) to fulfill his contractual commitments to Panini."

Darren Rovell of Action Network was the first to break the news.

However, this is only one part of what is required to make licensed NFL cards. Card makers need both an NFLPA deal for the players and an NFL deal for team names and official logos. There has been no update on the status of the NFL trading card exclusive held by Panini.

Panini issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the NFLPA deal.

"We believe this was a totally unwarranted and improper action by the NFL Players Association in conjunction with Fanatics, especially in light of the unprecedented sales by Panini of NFL trading cards. Panini has grown the category of sports trading cards by over 1,000 percent since 2009 to the benefit of all concerned. We believe the only party who benefits for this action by the NFL Players Association is Fanatics, and not the players, the leagues or consumers. We note that in addition to the NFL Players Association license, Panini has licenses with the NFL and over 360 individual players. Panini will honor all of its contractual obligations."

At this time, it's not clear how this news impacts upcoming NFL sets from Panini that have already been announced and given a release date.

Fanatics continues to make waves in the hobby after purchasing Topps for $500 million and arranging long-term exclusives for the MLB, NFL and NBA card licenses.