Panini, the renowned sports trading card company, has made a groundbreaking move by striking an exclusive partnership with LIV Golf. This deal, announced recently, opens up exciting opportunities for Panini to delve into the world of golf trading cards like never before. With this collaboration, Panini has gained exclusive rights to design and distribute trading cards showcasing the talented players affiliated with LIV Golf.
While Panini’s history in the realm of golf trading cards can be traced back to the era of Donruss brand cards in the early ’80s, this venture with LIV Golf marks a fresh chapter following Panini’s acquisition of Donruss. The partnership will see Panini introducing a brand-new line of golf trading card products, all geared towards offering a one-of-a-kind experience to fans and collectors worldwide.
Panini’s upcoming offerings will include physical trading cards featuring match-worn memorabilia and player autographs. Fans can anticipate the release of the first LIV Golf trading cards under Panini’s prestigious Prizm and Impeccable brands. Additionally, Panini will roll out a real-time card program under the Panini Instant banner, capturing remarkable highlights and memorable moments from LIV Golf tournaments and seasons. Moreover, special LIV Golf Team sets will also be part of the exciting lineup.
With LIV Golf boasting a roster of 54 committed players for the year 2024, the tour—established in 2022 with support from Saudi Arabian backing—has scheduled a majority of its 14 tournaments outside the United States. Notably, the tour introduces a compelling team dynamic to its 54-hole competitions. Panini wasted no time in promoting the 2024 LIV team sets on its platform, indicating a swift and fruitful development of this collaboration.
Greg Norman, the Commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf, expressed great enthusiasm for the partnership with Panini. He highlighted the endless possibilities to introduce innovative products to a vast global audience of fans and collectors alike. The collaboration holds the promise of elevating the profiles of LIV Golf players and teams in the collectibles space. This sentiment was echoed by Ian Poulter, co-captain of Majesticks GC, who shared his excitement about teaming up with a leading trading card brand like Panini.
Mark Warsop, the CEO of Panini America, emphasized the unique and innovative format of LIV Golf as a pivotal factor in cementing this partnership. Warsop firmly believes that the team and league structure of LIV Golf presents fresh collectability aspects for fans. He views LIV Golf’s appeal to younger audiences and its array of world-class players as a perfect match for Panini’s brand, setting the stage for a fruitful collaboration and the creation of a loyal fan base.
As Panini gears up to unveil this highly anticipated new line of golf trading cards, fans can look forward to a stellar lineup featuring prominent players, including major championship winners and golf legends. This partnership comes at a time when Upper Deck is also gearing up to launch its latest golf set, focusing on PGA Tour stars. The simultaneous interest from major trading card companies underscores the growing popularity of golf memorabilia and trading cards among enthusiasts.
