Collegiate Licensing Company, Upper Deck Announce Multi-Year Exclusive
By Tracy Hackler
8/13/2009 9:02:36 AM
As first reported by Beckett Media, the Collegiate Licensing Company officially announced Thursday morning that it has reached an exclusive multiyear agreement with Upper Deck.
The agreement, which goes into effect April 1, 2010, gives Upper Deck exclusive rights in the trading card category to the team and word marks for more than 200 collegiate institutions.
“We believe that there are many opportunities in the college trading card category that have not been fully realized, and Upper Deck shares our vision for expansion,” said David Kirkpatrick, CLC’s Vice President of Non-Apparel Marketing. “We are confident that fans will embrace this strategy, which will place a renewed focus on collegiate accomplishments in addition to a student-athlete’s post-collegiate potential.”
According to a press release distributed Thursday, Upper Deck intends to expand its collegiate license beyond football and basketball to include sports such as hockey, baseball, lacrosse, swimming and women’s basketball while extending its distribution into new outlets such as college bookstores and concession stands.
“Many of the best athletes in the world were leaders in college sports, and fans of those colleges passionately support their former players,” said Richard McWilliam, Upper Deck founder and CEO. “Upper Deck shares that commitment to the college market, and we plan to put the marketing resources in place to support both our trading card programand the college sports market overall."
Stay tuned to Beckett.com for additional details.
| Posted
8/13/2009 9:31:47 AM |
Greg2424
Total Posts:
671
Member Since: 10/8/2002
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It will be interesting to see what products they come out with.
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I am always looking for Habs Seq#'d 24/xxx
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| Posted
8/13/2009 10:08:51 AM |
Chitown Hustler
Total Posts:
134
Member Since: 6/16/1997
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Great move by Upper Deck!
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| Posted
8/13/2009 10:22:09 AM |
djohn
Total Posts:
253
Member Since: 7/7/1997
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So does that mean Sage and Press Pass will no longer be making college cards? I am really starting to hate all these "exclusive" contracts. I am seriously considering ending my collection, at least in terms of any new products. I like the idea of having more college based products, but only if Upper Deck follows suit with Press Pass for all their on-card autographs.
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http://www.beckett.com/userpages/djohn.html
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| Posted
8/13/2009 11:31:36 AM |
hche
Total Posts:
748
Member Since: 12/8/1997
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Probably no more college cards from SAGE and Press Pass. Does that mean the end of SAGE? I dont' think they make anything else. At least Press Pass still has NASCAR. I like Press Pass since most of their autos are clean on-card auto. UD will probably make a bunch of stickers again.
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| Posted
8/13/2009 12:47:36 PM |
Dunnere
Total Posts:
61
Member Since: 4/4/2005
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Does this also end Panini Elite Extra Edition (wow is that a bit odd to say)? I guess it all still works if there are no logos, but I think things lose their allure.
I guess not only does Press Pass and Press Pass SE end, but no more Legends, either, right? Same as above...no logos, not so cool anymore.
All of this is sort of like having all of the TV networks only broadcast one type of show: NBC only does crime drama, Fox only does comedies, CBS only does medical drama, ABC only does sports, etc. Sure, Fox will try to pass House off as a comedy, but to do so they need to add a laugh track, and it is OK, and the design is pretty cool, and I recognize all of the actors, but it is not quite right...
Wow, I just used TV as a analogy for Card Collecting. +2 for me.
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Collecting: Bob Feller, V.Mart, Yzerman, LeBron, Smoke
I need 05 Studio Portraits Bob Feller variations (currently at 33 of 56, 59%)
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| Posted
8/13/2009 3:27:22 PM |
yankeescop
Total Posts:
195
Member Since: 9/23/2000
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Interested in seeing what they do, but fear the attack of sticker autographs
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| Posted
8/13/2009 3:50:09 PM |
litemater95
Total Posts:
169
Member Since: 4/12/2008
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Interesting Dive in to a new niche.
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Collect Joe Montana SF 49ers, Joe Hamilton,Players From the State of South Carolina. Listed tons of commons too for trading.
http://s644.photobucket.com/albums/uu161/Litemater95/Card Inventory
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| Posted
8/13/2009 11:30:47 PM |
ejahnke
Total Posts:
717
Member Since: 6/2/2008
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God help us.
This is terrible news for Press Pass, they were doing a great job.
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Nobody.
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| Posted
8/14/2009 9:47:06 AM |
Wambie
Total Posts:
6
Member Since: 4/12/2001
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Wow, a new way for Upper Deck to steal someeone elses card design.
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| Posted
8/14/2009 7:32:04 PM |
ugameck
Total Posts:
283
Member Since: 5/26/2004
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i hate the idea. presspass was doing an awesome job...and SAGE was getting better. what does this do to any start up companies?
"don't worry, will kill any competition you have with an exclusive contract". HOORAY FOR UD! SORRY FOR COLLECTORS!
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