In an e-mail sent to collectors who are members of Upper Deck’s Diamond Club – a VIP group of the company’s biggest spenders – Upper Deck chairman Richard McWilliam said he didn’t want to speculate on all of the factors that contributed to the NBA’s decision to choose Panini as its exclusive trading card licensee. But had Upper Deck agreed to the same financial terms for the license that Panini did, McWilliam said it would have threatened his company’s “financial solvency” for the next several years.

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Sports Collectors Digest
February 11, 2009

I'm surprised UD let this go so easily. They've already got the upper hand in terms of exclusive player contracts and if they met the demands, they could easily be looking at a market monopoly. With strong products that are bought in ridiculous quantities by international collectors (eg. SPA, Exquisite, UD Black) I would have thought that they would fight tooth and nail to hang onto their basketball contract.

I just hope that Panini comes through for the average collectors. It'll be interesting to see what kind of products they put out and what their prices will be like.

Mario Here's some info I found on the Panini card releases.

Panini Might Release Only 12 NBA Products Next Year

Thanks for the link Dave

Heh, "only" 12... less is better in my opinion. I would have been thrilled if it were 5 releases. I'm cautiously optimistic.

One release per month would be plenty. Maybe they will do around 4 releases at each price point....low end....mid range.....high end. I am interested in seeing how they incorporate AUTOS and GU into their products. They have really put a great deal of funds into this deal not only with the NBA but in theory they must be spending a ton to get GU jerseys and they will have to spend even more to get players to sign. If that is the case and their initial releases don't do well, things could get interesting and very ugly for basketball collectors.

I might try to put together one of their lower sets. My HOPE is that they realize that large vintage looking sets are popular (A&G, Turkey Red, Goudey, Mayo, etc) or that they have a Diamond Kings-esque set.

It would be the first set I would put together in my life and I would choose Panini - BUAHAHAHA.

Yup, I think its for sure only 12 or so products next year. It will be interesting to me how they attempt to do the "high-end" product.

Is the player line-up going to be good enough (plus jersey & auto inventory)
Are hobby dealers/buyers going to want to spend $1000+ on something they've never seen before??

Who knows, I'm pumped up just to see the action!